Glucose biosensor

A biosensor for measuring the concentration of glucose in a person, the biosensor comprising:

• a rigid, biocompatible enclosure having an open end and a closed end, the open end being covered by a semipermeable membrane;
• a diaphragm being positioned between the semipermeable membrane and the closed end;
• a polymeric hydrogel enclosed between the semipermeable membrane and the diaphragm, the hydrogel including moieties that cause the hydrogel to change its swelling tendency and the pressure exerted by the hydrogel on the diaphragm in proportion to the free glucose concentration of the hydrogel;
• an amount of a glucose-binding molecule immobilized in the hydrogel;
• an amount of a hexose saccharide immobilized in the hydrogel;
• a pressure transducer operatively engaged to the diaphragm;
• and
• a battery powered telemeter operatively engaged to the transducer.

A biosensor for measuring the concentration of a free molecule, the biosensor comprising:

• a polymeric hydrogel that changes its swelling tendency and pressure in proportion to the concentration of a free molecule;
• a bound molecule immobilized in the hydrogel;
• a high affinity and specific binding molecule chemically or physically immobilized in the hydrogel, configured such that the free molecule competitively binds with the bound molecule to the immobilized high affinity and specific binding molecule, thereby reducing the number of hydrogel crosslinks and causing the hydrogel to swell and increase the pressure of the hydrogel in the confined space;
• a means for measuring the pressure or amount of swelling of the hydrogel;
• and
• a means for reporting the concentration of the free molecule based on the measured pressure of the hydrogel.

A system for treating hypoglycemia, the system comprising:

• a sensor for disposition in a patient, the sensor being configured to monitor blood glucose levels within a patient by use of a hydrogel;
• alarm circuitry disposed in communication with the sensor for warning when the blood glucose level passes outside a predetermined parameter;
• and
• an auto-injection device responsive to alarm signals for automatically injecting agents into the patient to return the blood glucose level to within the predetermined parameter.

A system for treating hypoglycemia, the system comprising:

• a sensor for disposition in a patient, the sensor being configured to monitor blood glucose levels within a patient;
• alarm circuitry disposed in communication with the sensor for warning when the blood glucose level passes outside a predetermined parameter;
• an auto-injection device responsive to alarm signals for automatically injecting agents into the patient to return the blood glucose level to within the predetermined parameter;
• and
• a global positioning system for determining the location of the patient.