Analyte sensor

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to biointerface membranes utilized with implantable devices, such as devices for the detection of analyte concentrations in a biological sample. More particularly, the invention relates to novel biointerface membranes, to devices and implantable devices including these membranes, methods for forming the biointerface membranes on or around the implantable devices, and to methods for monitoring glucose levels in a biological fluid sample using an implantable analyte detection device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An analyte sensing device adapted for short term insertion into a host's soft tissue, comprising:
 a sensor having an architecture with at least one dimension less than about 1 mm, wherein the architecture is configured to create a fluid-filled pocket surrounding at least a portion of the sensor in vivo.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to measure a signal that is indicative of a concentration of the analyte within the fluid-filled pocket. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising electronics operatively coupled to the sensor and configured for detecting a signal from the sensor, wherein the signal is indicative of a concentration of an analyte within the host. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising a housing configured for placement adjacent to a host's skin, wherein at least a portion of the electronics are disposed in the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a transcutaneous sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a spacer covering at least a portion of the sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the spacer covers a sensing mechanism of the sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the spacer comprises a biointerface. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the spacer comprises a porous membrane configured to allow a body fluid to fill pores to thereby form a fluid-filled pocket. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a bioactive agent incorporated into the sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the bioactive agent is selected from the group consisting of an anti-barrier cell agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-infective agent, a necrosing agent, an anesthetic, an inflammatory agent, a growth factor, an angiogenic factor, an adjuvant, an immunosuppressive agent, an antiplatelet agent, an anticoagulant, an ACE inhibitor, a cytotoxic agent, a vascularization compound, and an anti-sense molecule. 
     
     
         12 . An analyte sensor for measuring an analyte in a host, the sensor comprising:
 a sensor configured for transcutaneous insertion into a host's skin, wherein the sensor has an architecture with at least one dimension less than about 1 mm; and   a biointerface covering at least a portion of the sensor.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the biointerface is configured to allow fluid influx. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the sensor is a transcutaneous sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising electronics operatively coupled to the sensor and configured for detecting a signal from the sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the electronics are inductively coupled to the sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a housing configured for placement adjacent to the host's skin. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a bioactive agent incorporated into the sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the bioactive agent is selected from the group consisting of an anti-barrier cell agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-infective agent, a necrosing agent, an anesthetic, an inflammatory agent, a growth factor, an angiogenic factor, an adjuvant, an immunosuppressive agent, an antiplatelet agent, an anticoagulant, an ACE inhibitor, a cytotoxic agent, a vascularization compound, and an anti-sense molecule. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the biointerface is configured to provide a space for a body fluid to reside around the sensor in vivo.