US 2014/0197042 A1 · Saliva Glucose Monitoring System

Abstract

A glucose sensor suitable for measuring glucose levels in human saliva is provided. Systems containing the glucose sensor and methods for making and using the sensor are also provided. The glucose sensor is highly sensitive and can detect glucose levels at least down to 5 ppm. Fabrication of the sensor involves depositing single-walled carbon nanotubes onto the surface of a working electrode in a 3 electrode electrochemical detector and functionalizing the nanotubes by depositing layers of polymers, metallic nanoparticles, and glucose oxidase enzyme onto the nanotubes. The sensor can be used as a disposable, single-use device or as part of an analytical system, such as a microfluidics system, for the analysis of multiple analytes. The sensor enables the diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes to be performed without pain or the need for finger pricks in a home or clinical setting.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A glucose sensor for determining a concentration of glucose in a liquid sample, the sensor comprising:

an insulating or semiconducting substrate;
at least one working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode, and
a sample placement area on a surface of the substrate for containing the liquid sample during a determination of the glucose concentration in the liquid sample;
wherein each of the working electrode(s), counter electrode, and reference electrode comprises a conductive metal layer deposited on the substrate in the sample placement area;
wherein the working electrode is optionally coated in the sample placement area with a plurality of sensor elements;
wherein the sensor elements or the working electrode in the sample placement area is functionalized with a coating comprising glucose oxidase;
wherein the working electrode, counter electrode, and reference electrode are connected to an amperometry circuit;
and
wherein an output voltage of the amperometry circuit correlates with a glucose concentration in the liquid sample deposited in the sample placement area.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Saliva Glucose Monitoring System

Life of this patent

Saliva Glucose Monitoring System

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30