# US 2008/0187655 A1 · Method for polymerizing a monomer solution within a cavity to generate a smooth polymer surface

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- Number: US 2008/0187655 A1
- Document ID: US20080187655A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/026,396
- Filed: 2008-02-05
- Published: 2008-08-07
- Earliest claimed: 2007-02-06
- Assignees: Glumetrics, Inc.
- Inventors: David R. Markle; Huashi Zhang; Matthew A. Romey; Ritchie A. Wessling
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080187655A1

## CPC

- G01N 21/7703: {using reagent-clad optical fibres or optical waveguides (using measurement of total internal reflection or attenuated total reflection G01N21/552; optical fibres or waveguides per se G02B)}
- G01N 2021/6434: {Optrodes}
- G01N 2021/773: {Porous polymer jacket; Polymer matrix with indicator}
- G01N 2021/7786: {Fluorescence}
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

In preferred embodiments, the present invention relates to methods for polymerizing a monomer solution within a cavity covered by a porous membrane to generate a smooth polymer surface. More specifically, the method can be used to provide a medical device or sensor with a smooth polymer surface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for making an analyte sensor having a smooth outer surface, comprising:
providing an optical fiber comprising a cavity covered by a membrane having pores;
loading the cavity and the membrane pores with a solution comprising polymerizable monomers, an analyte indicator system and a polymerization initiator; and
initiating polymerization of said monomers.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein prior to initiating polymerization, the loaded cavity and membrane pores are coated with wax and the solution is deoxygenated.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the wax coating is removed after polymerization is completed to leave a smooth outer surface, wherein the analyte indicator system is immobilized within the cavity.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein removing the wax comprises contacting the wax with an organic solvent.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the organic solvent is an alkane.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the alkane is hexane.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The methods of claim 3, wherein removing the wax further comprises application of ultrasonic energy.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the indicator system comprises a fluorophore and an analyte binding moiety.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the loading step comprises vacuum filling.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein initiating polymerization comprises application of a second initiator selected to undergo a redox reaction with the first initiator.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein initiating polymerization comprises application of thermal or radiation energy.