Glucose sensors and methods of manufacture thereof

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a device that functions as a glucose sensor. The device has a reference electrode; a counter electrode, a working electrode; an electrically conducting membrane; an enzyme layer; a semi-permeable membrane; a first layer of a first hydrogel in operative communication with the working electrode; the first layer of the first hydrogel being operative to store oxygen; wherein the amount of stored oxygen is proportional to the number of freeze-thaw cycles that the hydrogel is subjected to; and a second layer of the second hydrogel. Disclosed too is a method that comprises using periodically biased amperometry towards interrogation of implantable glucose sensors to improve both sensor's sensitivity and linearity while at the same time enable internal calibration against sensor drifts that originate from changes in either electrode activity or membrane permeability as a result of fouling, calcification and/or fibrosis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for supplementing oxygen within a sensor, the supplementing comprising:
 performing multiple freeze-thaw cycles on a first layer of a first hydrogel; the sensor comprising:
 a reference electrode; 
 a counter electrode; 
 a working electrode; the working electrode being disposed in the vicinity of the reference and counter electrode; 
 an electrically conducting membrane; the electrically conducting membrane being in operative communication with the working electrode; 
 an enzyme layer; the enzyme layer being in operative communication with the working electrode; 
 a semi-permeable membrane; the semi-permeable membrane being in operative communication with the working electrode; 
 the first layer of the first hydrogel in operative communication with the working electrode; the first layer of the first hydrogel being operative to store oxygen; wherein the amount of stored oxygen is proportional to the number of freeze-thaw cycles that the hydrogel is subjected to; and 
 a second layer of a second hydrogel in operative communication with the working electrode; the second layer of the second hydrogel comprising tissue response modifying release agents. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first hydrogel is the same as the second hydrogel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first hydrogel is different from the second hydrogel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the number of freeze-thaw cycles is about 1 to 100.