Lancet analyte sensors and methods of manufacturing
View Patent ↗In some aspects, an analyte sensor is provided for obtaining and detecting an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample. The analyte sensor has a sensor body including a semiconductor material, an active region coupled to the sensor body, and a lancet provided on the analyte sensor. The conductor may include a fiber having a core of a conductive material and a semiconductor cladding surrounding the core. Numerous other aspects are provided.
1. An analyte sensor, comprising:
a cylindrical sensor body comprised of a semiconductor material;
an active region positioned within and coupled to the cylindrical sensor body, the active region configured to determine an analyte concentration level; and
a cleaved surface on a leading end of the cylindrical sensor body forming a lancet on the analyte sensor;
wherein at least a portion of the cylindrical sensor body is in contact with a fluid electrolyte.
2. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the sensor body comprises a core of a conductive material and a cladding surrounding the core comprised of the semiconductor material.
3. The analyte sensor of claim 2 , wherein the conductive material of the core comprises carbon and the semiconductor material of the cladding comprises silicon carbide.
4. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the sensor body includes an end in electrical contact with the active region thereby forming at least a portion of a working electrode.
5. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein a cavity is located in the interior of the cylindrical sensor body, the active region being positioned within the cavity.
6. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the lancet is formed on a cladding of the sensor body.
7. The analyte sensor of claim 6 , further comprising a channel formed proximate the lancet adapted to direct a bio-fluid into the cavity.
8. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a reference electrode coupled to the analyte sensor.
9. The analyte sensor of claim 8 , wherein the reference electrode is positioned in contact with a fluid electrolyte.
10. The analyte sensor of claim 9 , further comprising a sealing material that surrounds at least a portion of the sensor body and that contains the fluid electrolyte.
11. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the analyte sensor is further adapted to extend and retract within a port in a housing.
12. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , further comprising an insulating layer surrounding the sensor body.
13. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the lancet is formed on a separate lancet member coupled to the sensor body.
14. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a reference electrode at least partially surrounding a portion of the sensor body.
15. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , wherein the analyte comprises one or more of glucose, lactate, aspartate, and glutamate.
16. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , further comprising:
a core comprised of a conductive material; a cladding comprised of the semiconductor material surrounding the core;
a cavity formed proximate to the core; and
the active region positioned within the cavity.
17. The analyte sensor of claim 1 , further comprising:
a fiber comprised of the semiconductor material; and
the active region in contact with the fiber.
18. An analyte sensor comprising:
a cylindrical sensor body comprised of a semiconductor material;
an active region positioned within and coupled to the cylindrical sensor body, the active region configured to determine an analyte concentration level;
a cleaved surface on a leading end of the cylindrical sensor body forming a lancet on the analyte sensor; and
a reference electrode coupled to the analyte sensor;
wherein the reference electrode comprises a coil, foil, or film.
19. An analyte sensor comprising:
a cylindrical sensor body comprised of a semiconductor material;
an active region positioned within and coupled to the cylindrical sensor body, the active region configured to determine an analyte concentration level;
a cleaved surface on a leading end of the cylindrical sensor body forming a lancet on the analyte sensor; and
a cavity proximate to the active region and a reference electrode positioned within the cavity.
20. An analyte sensor comprising:
a cylindrical sensor body comprised of a semiconductor material;
an active region positioned within and coupled to the cylindrical sensor body, the active region configured to determine an analyte concentration level; and
a cleaved surface on a leading end of the cylindrical sensor body forming a lancet on the analyte sensor;
wherein a cavity is formed into a side wall of the cylindrical sensor body.
21. The analyte sensor of claim 20 , wherein the cavity includes a pocket formed into a core of the cylindrical sensor body.