Analyte sensors, testing apparatus and manufacturing methods
View Patent ↗In some aspects, an analyte sensor is provided for detecting an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample. The analyte sensor may include a first sensor member coupled to a base, wherein the first sensor member includes a semiconductor material, a second sensor member coupled to the base; and an active region in contact with at least the first sensor member. In some aspects, the first sensor member may be a fiber, and may have a conductive core and a semiconducting cladding surrounding the core. Manufacturing methods and apparatus utilizing the sensors are provided, as are numerous other aspects.
1. An analyte sensor, comprising:
a base;
a first sensor member coupled to the base, the first sensor member comprising a semiconductor material;
a second sensor member coupled to the base and spaced from the first sensor member;
a lid coupled to the base and in contact with at least the first sensor member such that the first sensor member is sandwiched between the base and the lid; and
an active region in contact with at least the first sensor member,
wherein the first sensor member comprises a core of a conductive material and a cladding of the semiconductor material, and
wherein the semiconductor material comprises silicon carbide.
2. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the second sensor member comprises a core of a conductive material, and a cladding of the semiconductor material.
3. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a lid coupled to the base and at least partially defining a cavity located proximate to the active region.
4. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor member comprises a fiber.
5. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein a core of the first sensor member and a core of the second member are in contact with the active region.
6. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor member comprises an enhanced region.
7. The analyte sensor of claim 6 , wherein the enhanced region comprises an exposed portion of the core.
8. The analyte sensor of claim 6 , wherein the enhanced region comprises a conductive coating.
9. The analyte sensor of claim 6 , wherein the enhanced region comprises at least a portion of a cladding with an enhanced conductivity or electrochemical activity.
10. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a cavity at least partially formed between the base and the lid.
11. The analyte sensor of claim 10 , wherein an end portion of the first sensor member and an end portion of a second member are located proximate to the cavity.
12. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the cladding of first sensor member is partially impressed into the base.
13. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a fill detector.
14. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a coded region.
15. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the analyte sensor is adapted to sense an analyte comprising one or more of glucose, lactate, aspartate, and glutamate.
16. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , further comprising:
a cavity formed proximate to an end of the first sensor member; and
the active region positioned within the cavity, the active region being coupled to the end of the first sensor member.
17. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor member comprises:
a fiber sensor member coupled to the base;
a cavity formed proximate to an end of the fiber sensor member; and
the active region positioned within the cavity, the active region being coupled to the end of the fiber sensor member.
18. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein:
the base is an insulating material;
the second sensor member comprises a core of conductive material and a cladding of a semiconductor material surrounding the core;
a cavity is formed proximate to ends of the first and second sensor members;
the active region is positioned within the cavity, the active region being coupled to both the first and second sensor members; and
the base and lid at least partially define the cavity.