Analyte sensors, systems, testing apparatus and manufacturing methods
In some aspects, an analyte sensor is provided for detecting an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample. The analyte sensor may include one or more conductors received in a hollow portion of a hollow member. The first conductor may be made, at least in part, of a semiconductor material and an active region may be provided in contact with at least the first conductor. The analyte sensor may, in one aspect, include a lancet and an integrated sensor. Manufacturing methods and apparatus and systems utilizing the analyte sensors are provided, as are numerous other aspects.
1. An analyte sensor system, comprising:
a carriage having at least two guides;
at least two analyte sensors each respectively received in one of the at least two guides wherein each analyte sensor includes
a member defining a hollow portion,
a sleeve secured in the hollow portion,
a first conductor secured in the sleeve,
a second conductor secured in the sleeve, and
an active region coupled to the first conductor and extending beyond the sleeve.
2. The analyte sensor system of claim 1 , further comprising a third conductor secured in the sleeve.
3. The analyte sensor system of claim 2 , wherein the third conductor includes a fill detection electrode.
4. The analyte sensor system of claim 1 , wherein the active region is within the hollow portion formed, at least in part, by the member and proximate to a first end of the member.
5. The analyte sensor system of claim 1 , further comprising a coded region.
6. The analyte sensor system of claim 1 , wherein the sensors are each independently adapted to sense an analyte comprising one or more of glucose, lactate, aspartate, glutamate, and alcohol.
7. The analyte sensor system of claim 1 , wherein the members of each sensor include a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of each member including a lancet point, and wherein the first conductors extend out of the second end of the members.
8. The analyte sensor system of claim 1 , wherein the members each include a hollow lancet including the hollow portion and a lancet point at an end thereof.
9. The analyte sensor system of claim 1 , wherein the sensors each further include a cavity defined by an inner wall of the member, an end of the member, and an end of the sleeve secured therein; and wherein the active region is positioned within the cavity.
10. The analyte sensor system of claim 1 , wherein the sensors each further include:
a lancet point formed on an end of the member;
a cavity formed within the hollow portion, proximate to an end of the sleeve secured in the hollow portion and proximate to an end of the first conductor; and
wherein the active region is positioned within the cavity.
11. An analyte sensor system, comprising:
a carriage having at least two guides;
at least two analyte sensors each respectively received in one of the at least two guides wherein each analyte sensor includes
a member defining a hollow portion,
a sleeve secured in the hollow portion,
a first conductor secured in the sleeve, and
an active region coupled to the first conductor and extending beyond the sleeve, wherein:
the first conductor includes a core of a conductive material and a cladding of a semiconductor material.
12. The analyte sensor system of claim 11 , wherein the conductive material of the core includes carbon and the semiconductor material of the cladding includes silicon carbide.
13. An analyte sensor system, comprising:
a carriage having at least two guides;
at least two analyte sensors each respectively received in one of the at least two guides wherein each analyte sensor includes
a member defining a hollow portion,
a sleeve secured in the hollow portion,
a first conductor secured in the sleeve,
an active region coupled to the first conductor and extending beyond the sleeve, and
a fill detector.
14. The analyte sensor system of claim 1 , wherein the second conductor surrounds the first conductor.
15. An analyte sensor system, comprising:
a carriage having at least two parallel guides;
a lancet received in at least one of the guides; and
an analyte sensor received in another of the guides; wherein the analyte sensor comprises:
a member defining a hollow portion,
a sleeve secured in the hollow portion,
a first conductor secured in the sleeve, and
an active region coupled to the first conductor and extending beyond the sleeve.
16. An analyte sensor system, comprising:
a carriage having at least two parallel guides;
a lancet received in at least one of the guides; and
an analyte sensor received in another of the guides;
wherein the carriage is adapted to rotate the guide including the analyte sensor to a position previously occupied by the guide including the lancet.
17. An analyte sensor system, comprising:
a carriage having at least two parallel guides;
a lancet received in at least one of the guides;
an analyte sensor received in another of the guides; and
an actuator adapted to extend the lancet and the analyte sensor.
18. An analyte sensor system, comprising:
a carriage having a plurality of parallel guides;
an integrated lancet and sensor received in each of the guides; and
an actuator operable to extend the integrated lancet and sensor in a single actuation to concurrently lance and sense analyte concentration,
wherein the integrated lancet and sensor comprises:
a member defining a hollow portion and a lancet point,
a sleeve secured in the hollow portion,
a first conductor secured in the sleeve, and
an active region coupled to the first conductor and extending beyond the sleeve.