Blood contacting sensor

An apparatus for detecting an analyte in blood comprising:

• a sensor that detects the presence of an analyte, wherein the sensor comprises:
• a base layer;
• at least three electrodes disposed on the base layer including at least one working electrode;
• an enzyme layer disposed upon the working electrode;
• an analyte modulating layer disposed on the enzyme layer;
• and
• an assembly having a sensor end and an exterior face, wherein:
• the sensor is affixed to the sensor end of the assembly,
• the assembly is adapted for coupling with a venous flow device;
• the assembly comprises an alignment member adapted to guide insertion of the sensor into a venous flow device;
• and
• the alignment member comprises a needle having a lumen.

An apparatus for detecting an analyte in blood comprising:

• a sensor that detects the presence of an analyte, wherein the sensor comprises:
• a base layer;
• at least three electrodes disposed on the base layer including at least one working electrode;
• an enzyme layer disposed upon the working electrode;
• an analyte modulating layer disposed on the enzyme layer;
• and
• an assembly having a sensor end and an exterior face, wherein:
• the sensor is affixed to the sensor end of the assembly,
• the assembly comprises a cross connector adapted to receive injections from opposing sides of the assembly;
• and
• the assembly is adapted for coupling with a venous flow device.

A method of introducing a sensor into circulating blood of a subject and monitoring the concentration of an analyte, the method comprising:

• contacting a venous flow device having a lumen with the circulating blood of the subject and introducing an apparatus for detecting an analyte in blood into the venous flow device, the apparatus comprising:
• a sensor that detects the presence of an analyte, wherein the sensor comprises:
• a base layer;
• at least three electrodes disposed on the base layer including at least one working electrode;
• an enzyme layer disposed upon the working electrode;
• an analyte modulating layer disposed on the enzyme layer;
• and
• an assembly having a sensor end and an exterior face, wherein:
• the sensor is affixed to the sensor end of the assembly;
• the assembly is coupled with the venous flow device;
• and
• the sensor is suspended within the lumen so that a distal end of the sensor is positioned perpendicular to a flow of blood through the venous flow device.