LANCET ANALYTE SENSORS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING
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 . A testing apparatus, comprising:
an analyte sensor having a sensor body comprised of a semiconductor material;
an active region coupled to the sensor body; and
a lancet formed on an end of the analyte sensor.
2 . The testing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a housing having a port into which an analyte sensor is received.
3 . The testing apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the housing contains an electrolyte fluid, and a reference electrode is positioned in contact with the electrolyte fluid.
4 . The testing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an array of sensors including the analyte sensor.
5 . The testing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an electrolyte fluid in contact with at least a portion of the sensor body.
6 . A testing apparatus, comprising:
an analyte sensor having a cylindrical sensor body;
an active region positioned within the cylindrical sensor body, the active region configured to determine an analyte concentration level;
a lancet positioned on an end of the cylindrical sensor body;
a housing having a port, the cylindrical sensor body configured to extend forwardly and retract backwardly through the port; and
an electrolyte fluid contained in the housing.
7 . The testing apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a reference electrode positioned within the electrolyte fluid in the housing.
8 . The testing apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the reference electrode comprises a coil or a foil.
9 . The testing apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the reference electrode comprises a conductive core.
10 . The testing apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a motive device configured to cause relative movement between the housing and the cylindrical sensor body.
11 . A method of manufacturing an analyte sensor, comprising:
providing a fiber comprised of a semiconductor material;
forming a cavity proximate to the fiber;
forming an active region in the cavity; and
forming a lancet on the analyte sensor.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the providing the fiber comprised of the semiconductor material comprises providing a SiC/C fiber in the form of a cylindrical sensor body.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the providing the fiber comprised of the semiconductor material comprises providing a SiC cladding and a carbon core in the form of a cylindrical sensor body.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the forming the cavity proximate to the fiber comprises forming the cavity proximate to the fiber by removing a portion of a core of the fiber.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the forming the cavity proximate to the fiber comprises forming the cavity in a side wall of the fiber.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the forming the cavity comprises forming a cavity in a separate lancet member; and
the forming the lancet comprises coupling the separate lancet member to the fiber, the fiber in the form of a cylindrical sensor body.
17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the forming the lancet comprises forming a cleaved end on the fiber, the fiber in the form of a cylindrical sensor body.
18 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising coupling a reference electrode to fiber, the reference electrode comprising a coil, foil, or film.
19 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising positioning a reference electrode in the cavity such that a non-zero distance separates the reference electrode from the active region.
20 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising forming a pocket at a bottom of the cavity, the active region formed in the pocket.