Electrochemical sensors including electrode systems with increased oxygen generation

A method for generating oxygen for use at an electrochemical analyte sensor, the method comprising:

• providing a membrane system comprising an enzyme that reacts with the analyte;
• providing a first working electrode comprising a conductive material;
• measuring a product of a reaction of the enzyme with the analyte at the first working electrode, wherein a concentration of the product is indicative of a concentration of the analyte;
• providing an auxiliary electrode comprising a conductive material;
• and
• generating oxygen at the auxiliary electrode,
• wherein the auxiliary electrode is configured such that the oxygen generated at the auxiliary electrode diffuses toward the enzyme at a location substantially above the first working electrode, and wherein the membrane system, first working electrode, and auxiliary electrode are configured such that said product of the reaction of the enzyme with the analyte diffuses into a local environment of the first working electrode and the auxiliary electrode.

A method for generating oxygen for use at an electrochemical analyte sensor, the method comprising:

• providing an electrochemical sensor comprising a sensing electrode and an auxiliary electrode;
• measuring an analyte at the sensing electrode;
• and
• generating oxygen at the auxiliary electrode,
• wherein the electrochemical sensor comprises a counter electrode, and wherein the oxygen generated by the auxiliary electrode diffuses to the counter electrode.

An electrochemical sensor for determining a presence or a concentration of an analyte in a fluid, the sensor comprising:

• a membrane system comprising an enzyme that reacts with the analyte;
• a first working electrode comprising a conductive material, wherein the first working electrode is configured to measure a product of the reaction of the enzyme with the analyte;
• and
• an auxiliary electrode comprising a conductive material, wherein the auxiliary electrode is configured to generate oxygen,
• wherein the auxiliary electrode is located at a proximity to the first working electrode such that oxygen generated at the auxiliary electrode diffuses to the enzyme at a location substantially above the first working electrode, and wherein the membrane system, first working electrode, and auxiliary electrode are configured such that said product of the reaction of the enzyme with the analyte diffuses into a local environment of the first working electrode and the auxiliary electrode, and wherein the conductive material in the auxiliary electrode is different than the conductive material in the first working electrode, wherein the auxiliary electrode is configured to generate oxygen at a potential lower than the potential at which the first working electrode measures the product of the reaction of the enzyme with the analyte.

An electrochemical sensor for determining a presence or a concentration of an analyte in a fluid, the sensor comprising:

• a membrane system comprising an enzyme that reacts with the analyte;
• a first working electrode comprising a conductive material, wherein the first working electrode is configured to measure a product of the reaction of the enzyme with the analyte;
• and
• an auxiliary electrode comprising a conductive material, wherein the auxiliary electrode is configured to generate oxygen,
• wherein the auxiliary electrode is located at a proximity to the first working electrode such that oxygen generated at the auxiliary electrode diffuses to the enzyme at a location substantially above the first working electrode, and wherein the membrane system, first working electrode, and auxiliary electrode are configured such that said product of the reaction of the enzyme with the analyte diffuses into a local environment of the first working electrode and the auxiliary electrode, and wherein the auxiliary electrode is configured to generate oxygen at least partially by oxidation of at least one of water and an electroactive species other than said product of the reaction of the enzyme with the analyte.

An electrochemical sensor for determining a presence or a concentration of an analyte in a fluid, the sensor comprising:

• a membrane system comprising an enzyme that reacts with the analyte;
• a first working electrode comprising a conductive material, wherein the first working electrode is configured to measure a product of the reaction of the enzyme with the analyte;
• and
• an auxiliary electrode comprising a conductive material, wherein the auxiliary electrode is configured to generate oxygen,
• wherein the auxiliary electrode is located at a proximity to the first working electrode such that oxygen generated at the auxiliary electrode diffuses to the enzyme at a location substantially above the first working electrode, and wherein the membrane system, first working electrode, and auxiliary electrode are configured such that said product of the reaction of the enzyme with the analyte diffuses into a local environment of the first working electrode and the auxiliary electrode, and wherein the membrane system is configured such that the analyte diffuses to the enzyme over both the first working electrode and the auxiliary electrode.