Abstract: Devices, systems, kits and methods for increasing the skin's permeability controlled by measured skin electrical parameter are described herein. They may be used for transdermal drug delivery and/or analyte extraction or measurement. The controlled abrasion device contains (i) a hand piece, (ii) an abrasive tip, (iii) a feedback control mechanism, (iv) two or more electrodes, and (v) an electrical motor. The feedback control mechanism may be an internal feedback control mechanism or an external feedback control. The kit contains the controlled abrasion-device, one or more abrasive tips, optionally with a wetting fluid. The method for increasing the skin's permeability requires applying the controlled abrasion device to a portion of the skin's surface for a short period of time, until the desired level of permeability is reached. Then the abrasion device is removed, and a drug delivery composition or device or an analyte sensor is applied to the treated site.

Abstract: Transdermal analyte monitoring systems (TAMS) having increased longevity and improved analyte detection are described herein. Kits for use with the TAMS and methods of using the TAMS and kits are also described. In a preferred embodiment, the TAMS includes a protective, semi-permeable membrane covering the surface of the hydrogel. The protective, semi-permeable membrane contacts with the skin of a user and prevents contamination or fouling of the hydrogel. Optionally, the hydrogel comprises one or more humectants and/or an immobilized enzyme. In another preferred embodiment, the TAMS contains at least one channel or pocket for increasing the amount of oxygen provided to the hydrogel. In one embodiment, a method for improving analyte detection by the TAMS is provided. For example, after the skin porosity is increased by an appropriate pretreatment, a skin preparation wipe is applied to the treated skin area and then the TAMS is applied to the treated area.

Abstract: Devices, systems, kits and methods for increasing the skin's permeability controlled by measured skin electrical parameter are described herein. They may be used for transdermal drug delivery and/or analyte extraction or measurement. The controlled abrasion device contains (i) a hand piece, (ii) an abrasive tip, (iii) a feedback control mechanism, (iv) two or more electrodes, and (v) an electrical motor. The feedback control mechanism may be an internal feedback control mechanism or an external feedback control. The kit contains the controlled abrasion-device, one or more abrasive tips, optionally with a wetting fluid. The method for increasing the skin's permeability requires applying the controlled abrasion device to a portion of the skin's surface for a short period of time, until the desired level of permeability is reached. Then the abrasion device is removed, and a drug delivery composition or device or an analyte sensor is applied to the treated site.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transdermal analyte monitoring system comprising a medium adapted to interface with a biological membrane and to receive an analyte from the biological membrane and an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of electrodes, wherein the medium is adapted to react continuously with the analyte, an electrical signal is detected by the electrode assembly, and the electrical signal correlates to an analyte value. The analyte value may be the flux of the analyte through the biological membrane or the concentration of the analyte in a body fluid of a subject. The medium may comprise a vinyl acetate based hydrogel, an agarose based hydrogel, or a polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEG-DA) based hydrogel, for example. The surface region of the electrode may comprise pure platinum. The system may include an interference filter located between the biological membrane and the electrode assembly for reducing interference in the system.

Abstract: A system and method for continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of (1) contacting a remote device to an area of biological membrane having a permeability level, the remote device comprising a sensor and a transmitter; (2) extracting the at least one analyte through and out of the area of biological membrane and into the sensor; (3) generating an electrical signal representative of a level of the at least one analyte; (4) transmitting the electrical signal to a base device; (5) processing the electrical signal to determine the level of the at least one analyte; and (6) displaying the level of the at least one analyte in real time. The system includes a remote device that includes a sensor that generates an electrical signal representative of the concentration of the at least one analyte; and a transmitter that transmits the electrical signal.

Abstract: A system and method for continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of (1) contacting a remote device to an area of biological membrane having a permeability level, the remote device comprising a sensor and a transmitter; (2) extracting the at least one analyte through and out of the area of biological membrane and into the sensor; (3) generating an electrical signal representative of a level of the at least one analyte; (4) transmitting the electrical signal to a base device; (5) processing the electrical signal to determine the level of the at least one analyte; and (6) displaying the level of the at least one analyte in real time. The system includes a remote device that includes a sensor that generates an electrical signal representative of the concentration of the at least one analyte; and a transmitter that transmits the electrical signal.

Abstract: Transdermal analyte monitoring systems (TAMS) having increased longevity and improved analyte detection are described herein. Kits for use with the TAMS and methods of using the TAMS and kits are also described. In a preferred embodiment, the TAMS includes a protective, semi-permeable membrane covering the surface of the hydrogel. The protective, semi-permeable membrane contacts with the skin of a user and prevents contamination or fouling of the hydrogel. Optionally, the hydrogel comprises one or more humectants and/or an immobilized enzyme. In another preferred embodiment, the TAMS contains at least one channel or pocket for increasing the amount of oxygen provided to the hydrogel. In one embodiment, a method for improving analyte detection by the TAMS is provided. For example, after the skin porosity is increased by an appropriate pretreatment, a skin preparation wipe is applied to the treated skin area and then the TAMS is applied to the treated area.

Abstract: Devices, systems, kits and methods for increasing the skin's permeability controlled by measured skin electrical parameter are described herein. They may be used for transdermal drug delivery and/or analyte extraction or measurement. The controlled abrasion device contains (i) a hand piece, (ii) an abrasive tip, (iii) a feedback control mechanism, (iv) two or more electrodes, and (v) an electrical motor. The feedback control mechanism may be an internal feedback control mechanism or an external feedback control. The kit contains the controlled abrasion-device, one or more abrasive tips, optionally with a wetting fluid. The method for increasing the skin's permeability requires applying the controlled abrasion device to a portion of the skin's surface for a short period of time, until the desired level of permeability is reached. Then the abrasion device is removed, and a drug delivery composition or device or an analyte sensor is applied to the treated site.

Abstract: A system and method for continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of (1) contacting a remote device to an area of biological membrane having a permeability level, the remote device comprising a sensor and a transmitter; (2) extracting the at least one analyte through and out of the area of biological membrane and into the sensor; (3) generating an electrical signal representative of a level of the at least one analyte; (4) transmitting the electrical signal to a base device; (5) processing the electrical signal to determine the level of the at least one analyte; and (6) displaying the level of the at least one analyte in real time. The system includes a remote device that includes a sensor that generates an electrical signal representative of the concentration of the at least one analyte; and a transmitter that transmits the electrical signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transdermal analyte monitoring system comprising a medium adapted to interface with a biological membrane and to receive an analyte from the biological membrane and an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of electrodes, wherein the medium is adapted to react continuously with the analyte, an electrical signal is detected by the electrode assembly, and the electrical signal correlates to an analyte value. The analyte value may be the flux of the analyte through the biological membrane or the concentration of the analyte in a body fluid of a subject. The medium may comprise a vinyl acetate based hydrogel, an agarose based hydrogel, or a polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEG-DA) based hydrogel, for example. The surface region of the electrode may comprise pure platinum. The system may include an interference filter located between the biological membrane and the electrode assembly for reducing interference in the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transdermal analyte monitoring system comprising a medium adapted to interface with a biological membrane and to receive an analyte from the biological membrane and an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of electrodes, wherein the medium is adapted to react continuously with the analyte, an electrical signal is detected by the electrode assembly, and the electrical signal correlates to an analyte value. The analyte value may be the flux of the analyte through the biological membrane or the concentration of the analyte in a body fluid of a subject. The medium may comprise a vinyl acetate based hydrogel, an agarose based hydrogel, or a polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEG-DA) based hydrogel, for example. The surface region of the electrode may comprise pure platinum. The system may include an interference filter located between the biological membrane and the electrode assembly for reducing interference in the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transdermal analyte monitoring system comprising a medium adapted to interface with a biological membrane and to receive an analyte from the biological membrane and an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of electrodes, wherein the medium is adapted to react continuously with the analyte, an electrical signal is detected by the electrode assembly, and the electrical signal correlates to an analyte value. The analyte value may be the flux of the analyte through the biological membrane or the concentration of the analyte in a body fluid of a subject. The medium may comprise a vinyl acetate based hydrogel, an agarose based hydrogel, or a polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEG-DA) based hydrogel, for example. The surface region of the electrode may comprise pure platinum. The system may include an interference filter located between the biological membrane and the electrode assembly for reducing interference in the system.

Abstract: Sensors for detecting microorganisms in gases, liquids, and aerosols are provided which include molecular receptors to interact with the microorganisms, polymeric membranes containing luminescent reagents, optional non-drying membrane additives, an optical substrate as a sensor support, an optional conformable optical substrate or rotating film to refresh the sensor chemistry, and means for detecting the signal from the sensor. Optical sign can be enhanced by immobilizing biocidal compounds in the sensing membrane, immobilizing metal colloids in the sensing membrane, or immobilizing sol-gel coated colloidal particles in the sensing membrane.

Abstract: An optical sensor is disclosed which uses a radioluminescent light source to supply the incident radiation for detecting a selected substance in a test medium. The radioluminescent source includes a beta emitting radio isotope which energizes a co-immobilized luminophore to release light in a given wavelength for a chemical sensor operation. The radioluminescent source is coupled with a sensing matrix for detecting and quantifying the analyte of interest. The sensing matrix produces a characteristic signal based on either absorbance or fluorescence which varies according to the concentration of the selected analyte in the sample. A photodetector measures the resulting optical signal from which the analyte concentration is determined.