Analyte sensor antimicrobial configurations and adhesives

Abstract

An analyte sensor and methods and systems related thereto, where at least one or more of a lower portion of a sensor tail substrate, at least one electrode, a sensing element, a membrane, and an optional non-electrochemical functional layer comprise an antimicrobial quality. Asymmetric, double-sided adhesive binders suitable for adhering the analyte sensor to a skin surface comprising a non-woven scrim, a first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, a second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. Overbandages comprising a vapor-permeable backing, an aperture to circumferentially surround a sensor housing, a contact adhesive layer, first and second peelable release liners, and a third peelable release liner disposed upon an anchoring adhesive strip of the contact adhesive layer.

What is claimed is the following: 
     
         1 . An analyte sensor comprising:
 a sensor tail substrate having a lower portion and configured for insertion into a tissue;   at least one electrode disposed on the lower portion of the sensor tail substrate;   a sensing element disposed upon a surface of the electrode;   a membrane disposed over at least the sensing element; and   an optional non-electrochemical functional layer located at least at the lower portion of the sensor tail substrate,
 wherein at least one or more of the lower portion of the sensor tail substrate, the at least one electrode, the sensing element, the membrane, and the optional non-electrochemical functional layer comprise an antimicrobial quality coated thereon. 
   
     
     
         2 . The analyte sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte sensor comprises the non-electrochemical functional layer. 
     
     
         3 . The analyte sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of the sensor tail substrate comprises the lower 75% of the sensor tail substrate extending from a distal tip of the sensor tail substrate. 
     
     
         4 . The analyte sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of the sensor tail substrate comprises at least the lower 50% of the sensor tail substrate extending from a distal tip of the sensor tail substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The analyte sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial quality is chemically bound to at least one of the lower portion of the sensor tail substrate, the at least one electrode, the sensing element, the optional non-electrochemical functional layer, and the membrane. 
     
     
         6 . The analyte sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial quality is homogeneously or spatially intermixed with the membrane. 
     
     
         7 . The analyte sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial quality is configured to diffuse into the tissue. 
     
     
         8 . The analyte sensor of  claim 7 , wherein the diffusion is a bolus diffusion, a sustained delivery diffusion, or a dynamic diffusion. 
     
     
         9 . The analyte sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial quality is selected from the group consisting of silver, silver chloride, silver-silver chloride, silver iodide, silver carbonate, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 diffusing an antimicrobial quality into a tissue from an analyte sensor, the analyte sensor comprising:
 a sensor tail substrate having a lower portion and configured for insertion into the tissue; 
 at least one electrode disposed on the lower portion of the sensor tail substrate; 
 a sensing element disposed upon a surface of the electrode; 
 a membrane disposed over at least the sensing element; and 
 an optional non-electrochemical functional layer located at least at the lower portion of the sensor tail substrate,
 wherein at least one or more of the lower portion of the sensor tail substrate, the at least one electrode, the sensing element, the membrane, and the optional non-electrochemical functional layer comprise an antimicrobial quality coated thereon. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the analyte sensor comprises the non-electrochemical functional layer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the lower portion of the sensor tail substrate comprises the lower 75% of the sensor tail substrate extending from a distal tip of the sensor tail substrate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the antimicrobial quality is homogeneously or spatially intermixed with the membrane. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the diffusing is bolus diffusing, sustained delivery diffusing, or a dynamic diffusing. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising reducing or preventing infection of the tissue as a result of the diffusing. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising detecting an analyte with the sensing element. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the analyte is glucose. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the antimicrobial quality is selected from the group consisting of silver, silver chloride, silver-silver chloride, silver iodide, silver carbonate, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A system comprising:
 a receiver; and   an analyte sensor in electrical communication with the receiver, the analyte sensor comprising:
 a sensor tail substrate having a lower portion and configured for insertion into a tissue; 
 at least one electrode disposed on the lower portion of the sensor tail substrate; 
 a sensing element disposed upon a surface of the electrode; 
 a membrane disposed over at least the sensing element; and 
 an optional non-electrochemical functional layer located at least at the lower portion of the sensor tail substrate,
 wherein at least one or more of the lower portion of the sensor tail substrate, the at least one electrode, the sensing element, the membrane, and the optional non-electrochemical functional layer comprise an antimicrobial quality coated thereon. 
 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the analyte sensor comprises the non-electrochemical functional layer.