Long term analyte sensor array

A method of extending the useful life of an analyte sensing device comprising analyte sensor elements that exhibit a decrease in the ability to sense analyte over time due to biofouling or a loss of activity of an analyte sensing enzyme disposed on an analyte sensor element;

• the method comprising sensing an analyte with an analyte sensing device comprising:
• a plurality of analyte sensor elements adapted to contact and sense analyte, the analyte sensor elements comprising:
• a base layer;
• at least three working electrodes disposed on the base layer;
• a glucose oxidase layer disposed upon the at least three working electrodes, wherein the least three working electrodes are coated with the glucose oxidase layer so as to allow the analyte sensing device to sense glucose;
• an analyte modulating layer disposed on the glucose oxidase layer, wherein the analyte modulating layer comprises a hydrogel composition that includes a compound selected for its ability to crosslink to a siloxane composition;
• an adhesion promoting layer disposed between the glucose oxidase layer and the analyte modulating layer that functions to promote adhesion between the glucose oxidase layer and the analyte modulating layer, wherein the adhesion promoting layer comprises a siloxane composition crosslinked to the compound in the analyte modulating layer and;
• at least one analyte sensor membrane disposed upon at least one sealable well in a manner that reversibly prevents an analyte from contacting the at least one of the plurality of analyte sensors, wherein the permeability of the analyte sensor membrane can be controlled to allow an analyte to contact at least one of the plurality of analyte sensor elements;
• and
• at least one structure operatively coupled to the analyte sensing device for relaying information away from the analyte sensing device;
• wherein the useful life of an analyte sensing device is extended by:
• deactivating a first analyte sensor element in the plurality of analyte sensor elements that contact and sense analyte when the first analyte sensing element exhibits a decrease in the ability to sense analyte due to biofouling or a loss of activity of an analyte sensing enzyme disposed on the first analyte sensor element;
• and
• activating a second analyte sensor element in the plurality of analyte sensor elements that contact and sense analyte by controlling the permeability of an analyte sensor membrane disposed upon the second analyte sensor element to allow an analyte to contact the second analyte sensor element, so that the useful life of the analyte sensing device is extended.