Methods and systems for observing sensor parameters

A sensor system, comprising:

• an implantable sensor, the sensor including a plurality of electrodes;
• a sensor electronics device, the sensor electronics device capable of being operably connected to the sensor, and the sensor electronics device including:
• a connection detection device to determine if the sensor electronics device is connected to the sensor and to transmit a connection signal;
• a power source to supply a regulated voltage;
• a microprocessor;
• and
• a computer-readable program code having instructions, which when executed cause the microprocessor to:
• (a) apply a voltage to the sensor;
• (b) record data on a peak instantaneous electrical current of the sensor in response to the applied voltage;
• and
• (c) record data on a total current of the sensor over a period of time for a predetermined frequency in response to the applied voltage.

A program code storage device, comprising:

• a computer-readable medium;
• a computer-readable program code, stored on the computer-readable medium, the computer-readable program code having instructions, which when executed cause a controller to:
• initiate a series of voltage pulses to be applied to a sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes;
• and receive a signal from a detection circuit, the signal indicating:
• (a) a peak instantaneous electrical current of the sensor in response to the applied voltage pulses;
• and
• (b) a total current of the sensor over a period of time for a predetermined frequency in response to the applied voltage pulses.

A method of observing a state of a sensor having a plurality of electrodes, the method comprising:

• (a) applying a voltage to the sensor;
• (b) measuring a stable-state current (Ibase) produced in response to the voltage applied to the sensor;
• (c) applying the stable-state current measured in (b) to the sensor;
• (d) measuring sensor voltage during the application of the stable-state current;
• (e) changing applied sensor current to a second current comprising Ibase+deltaI, wherein deltaI comprises the difference between the Ibase and the second current;
• (f) measuring sensor voltage during the application of the second current;
• (g) observing a first voltage step between the voltage measured in (b) and the voltage measured in (f) that results from electrical resistance (R) in the sensor;
• so that the state of the sensor is observed.