Carbon working electrode for a continuous biological sensor

Inventors

Boock, Robert James

Assignees

Allez Health Inc

Abstract

Briefly, a carbon working electrode is described that has a plastic substrate of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, or polylactic acid, and may be formed into an elongated wire. The carbon material coats the plastic substrate, and may be, for example, graphene, diamagnetic graphite, pyrolytic graphite, pyrolytic carbon, carbon black, carbon paste, or carbon ink, which is aqueously dispersed in an elastomeric material such as polyurethane, silicone, acrylates or acrylics. Optionally, selected additives may be added to the carbon compound prior to it being layered onto the plastic substrate. These additives may, for example, improve electrical conductivity or sensitivity, or act as a catalyst for target analyte molecules.

Core Innovation

A cost-reduced continuous biological monitor sensor is disclosed that uses a wire-based three-pole electrochemical design concept. The sensor includes a carbon working electrode formed on a plastic substrate, produced from a cured carbon compound comprising an aqueous solution of a carbon material and an elastomeric material, applied to the plastic substrate and cured to form a cured carbon compound.

The cured carbon compound is further provided with an enzyme layer. The carbon material in the cured carbon compound contains at least two materials selected from carbon black, graphene, pyrolytic carbon, pyrolytic graphite, and diamagnetic graphite, enabling a flexible conductive working electrode on a plastic substrate for continuous biological monitoring.

The disclosure further describes embodiments that reduce or enable lower bias voltages without platinum and improve sensitivity by incorporating hydrogen peroxide catalysts and/or metal oxides. In addition, membrane stack concepts include an interference layer that is electron-nonconducting, ion-passing and permselective, and a mechanically formed glucose limiting layer constructed from physically hydrogen-bonded hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials.

Claims Coverage

The independent claim describes a method of making a working electrode for a continuous biological monitor, with three inventive features: forming a cured carbon compound on a plastic substrate from an aqueous carbon/elastomer compound, specifying that the carbon material contains at least two listed carbon forms, and adding an enzyme layer over the cured carbon compound.

Across the provided material, claim coverage centers on producing a cured carbon working electrode on a plastic substrate from an aqueous carbon/elastomer compound, restricting the carbon material to at least two specified carbon forms, and adding an enzyme layer over the cured carbon compound.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications