US 2006/0068208 A1 · Techniques to improve polyurethane membranes for implantable glucose sensors

Abstract

The invention provides an implantable membrane for regulating the transport of analytes therethrough that includes a matrix including a first polymer; and a second polymer dispersed throughout the matrix, wherein the second polymer forms a network of microdomains which when hydrated are not observable using photomicroscopy at 400× magnification or less. In one aspect, the homogeneous membrane of the present invention has hydrophilic domains dispersed substantially throughout a hydrophobic matrix to provide an optimum balance between oxygen and glucose transport to an electrochemical glucose sensor.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method of fabricating a device for measuring a concentration of an analyte, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a sensor configured to measure the analyte or a product of a reaction representative of the analyte;
forming a composition comprising a blend of a first polymer and a second polymer, wherein the first polymer is at least partially hydrophilic and the second polymer is at least partially hydrophobic;
maintaining the composition at a temperature sufficient to maintain solubility of the first polymer and the second polymer;
forming a film from the composition at the temperature;
drying the film to form a membrane;
and
coupling the membrane to the sensor.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

11/280,102Filed 16 Nov 2005

Priority

22 May 2002

Published

30 Mar 2006

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification21 codes

A61B 5/14865
Using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase: invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors
A61B 5/14532
Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration or pH-value ; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g.…: for…
A61B 5/1473
Using chemical or electrochemical methods, e.g. by polarographic means: invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter
A61B 5/1486
Using chemical or electrochemical methods, e.g. by polarographic means: using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase

Techniques to improve polyurethane membranes for implantable glucose sensors

Life of this patent

Techniques to improve polyurethane membranes for implantable glucose sensors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21