Analyte Sensors Comprising Leveling Agents

Abstract

Generally, embodiments of the invention relate to analyte determining methods and devices (e.g., electrochemical analyte monitoring systems) that have improved uniformity of distribution of one or more components of the sensor by inclusion of a low surface tension polymer leveling agent, where the components are disposed proximate to a working electrode of in vivo and/or in vitro analyte sensors, e.g., continuous and/or automatic in vivo monitoring using analyte sensors and/or test strips. Also provided are systems and methods of using the, for example electrochemical, analyte sensors in analyte monitoring.

1 - 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . A method for monitoring a level of an analyte using an analyte monitoring system, the method comprising:
 inserting at least a portion of an analyte sensor into skin of a patient, wherein the analyte sensor comprises a sensing layer disposed thereon and a membrane disposed over the sensing layer, wherein the membrane comprises a low surface tension polymer selected from polydimethylsiloxane (H 3 C) 3 Si[Si(CH 3 ) 2 O] n Si(CH 3 ) 3 , polyether modified polydimethylsiloxane [CH 2 O—] n , [Si(CH 3 ) 2 O] n —[CH 2 O—] n , poly((eo)(po))butyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane CH 3 -{[CH 2 CH 2 O] n —[CH 2 O—] n } n  [Si(CH 3 ) 2 O] n {[CH 2 O—] n [CH 2 CH 2 O] n } n —CH 3 , and dimethyl, methyl (polyethylene oxide acetate-capped) siloxane, wherein n is an integer in a range of from about 1 to 500;   attaching an analyte sensor control unit to the skin of the patient and the analyte sensor;   collecting data, using the analyte sensor control unit, regarding a level of an analyte from signals generated by the analyte sensor;   transmitting the collected data from the sensor control unit to a receiver unit.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the analyte is glucose. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein collecting data comprises generating signals from the sensor and processing the signals into data. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the data comprises the signals from the sensor. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising activating an alarm if the data indicates an alarm condition. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising administering a drug in response to the data. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the drug is insulin. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , further comprising obtaining a calibration value from a calibration device to calibrate the data. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein the calibration device is coupled to the display unit. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising transmitting the calibration value from a transmitter in the display unit to a receiver in the sensor control unit. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the low surface tension polymer comprises a substituted or unsubstituted polyacrylate polymer or a substituted or unsubstituted polysiloxane polymer. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the low surface tension polymer comprises polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxane. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the sensing layer comprises a glucose-responsive enzyme. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the sensing layer comprises a redox mediator. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the redox mediator comprises a ruthenium-containing complex or an osmium-containing complex. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the sensing layer comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the polymer is covalently bound to a glucose responsive enzyme or a redox mediator 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the glucose-responsive enzyme is glucose oxidase. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the polymer is a hydrophilic polymer.