Abstract: A tissue-implantable sensor for measurement of solutes in fluids and gases, such as oxygen and glucose, is provided. The sensor includes: i) a detector array including at least one detector; ii) a telemetry transmission portal; iii) an electrical power source; and iv) circuitry electrically connected to the detector array including signal processing means for determining an analyte level, such as glucose level, in a body fluid contacting the detectors. The sensor components are disposed in a hermetically sealed housing having a size and shape suitable for comfortable, safe, and unobtrusive subcutaneous implantation allowing for in vivo detection and long term monitoring of tissue glucose concentrations by wireless telemetry.

Abstract: A tissue-implantable sensor for measurement of solutes in fluids and gases, such as oxygen and glucose, is provided. The sensor includes: i) a detector array including at least one detector; ii) a telemetry transmission portal; iii) an electrical power source; and iv) circuitry electrically connected to the detector array including signal processing means for determining an analyte level, such as glucose level, in a body fluid contacting the detectors. The sensor components are disposed in a hermetically sealed housing having a size and shape suitable for comfortable, safe, and unobtrusive subcutaneous implantation allowing for in vivo detection and long term monitoring of tissue glucose concentrations by wireless telemetry.

Abstract: A tissue-implantable sensor for measurement of solutes in fluids and gases, such as oxygen and glucose, is provided. The sensor includes: i) a detector array including at least one detector; ii) a telemetry transmission portal; iii) an electrical power source; and iv) circuitry electrically connected to the detector array including signal processing means for determining an analyte level, such as glucose level, in a body fluid contacting the detectors. The sensor components are disposed in a hermetically sealed housing having a size and shape suitable for comfortable, safe, and unobtrusive subcutaneous implantation allowing for in vivo detection and long term monitoring of tissue glucose concentrations by wireless telemetry.

Abstract: At least one conductor is formed at a preselected location on a substrate made of a first insulating material having a high temperature resistance. The conductor is made from a solidified electrically conductive thick film material. A coating made of a second insulating material is formed over the substrate to hermetically seal at least a portion of the conductor. An exposed distal region of the conductor provides a detection electrode. The conductor has a reduced porosity that inhibits migration of fluid or constituents thereof through the conductor.

Abstract: At least one conductor is formed at a preselected location on a substrate made of a first insulating material having a high temperature resistance. The conductor is made from a solidified electrically conductive thick film material. A coating made of a second insulating material is formed over the substrate to hermetically seal at least a portion of the conductor. An exposed distal region of the conductor provides a detection electrode. The conductor has a reduced porosity that inhibits migration of fluid or constituents thereof through the conductor.

Abstract: A wire extends through a ceramic body. The wire comprises a material selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium and alloys of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and osmium. The wire directly contacts the ceramic body to form a substantially hermetic seal between the ceramic body and the wire.

Abstract: A wire extends through a ceramic body. The wire comprises a material selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium and alloys of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and osmium. The wire directly contacts the ceramic body to form a substantially hermetic seal between the ceramic body and the wire.

Abstract: A wire extends through a ceramic body. The wire comprises a material selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium and alloys of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and osmium. The wire directly contacts the ceramic body to form a substantially hermetic seal between the ceramic body and the wire.

Abstract: A tissue-implantable sensor for measurement of solutes in fluids and gases, such as oxygen and glucose, is provided. The sensor includes: i) a detector array including at least one detector; ii) a telemetry transmission portal; iii) an electrical power source; and iv) circuitry electrically connected to the detector array including signal processing means for determining an analyte level, such as glucose level, in a body fluid contacting the detectors. The sensor components are disposed in a hermetically sealed housing having a size and shape suitable for comfortable, safe, and unobtrusive subcutaneous implantation allowing for in vivo detection and long term monitoring of tissue glucose concentrations by wireless telemetry.

Abstract: At least one conductor is formed at a preselected location on a substrate made of a first insulating material having a high temperature resistance. The conductor is made from a solidified electrically conductive thick film material. A coating made of a second insulating material is formed over the substrate to hermetically seal at least a portion of the conductor. An exposed distal region of the conductor provides a detection electrode. The conductor has a reduced porosity that inhibits migration of fluid or constituents thereof through the conductor.

Abstract: At least one conductor is formed at a preselected location on a substrate made of a first insulating material having a high temperature resistance. The conductor is made from a solidified electrically conductive thick film material. A coating made of a second insulating material is formed over the substrate to hermetically seal at least a portion of the conductor. An exposed distal region of the conductor provides a detection electrode. The conductor has a reduced porosity that inhibits migration of fluid or constituents thereof through the conductor.

Abstract: A membrane for use in an implantable glucose sensor including at least one crosslinked substantially hydrophobic polymer and at least one crosslinked substantially hydrophilic polymer; wherein the first and second polymers are different polymers and substantially form an interpenetrating polymer network, semi-interpenetrating polymer network, polymer blend, or copolymer. The membranes are generally characterized by providing a permeability ratio of oxygen to glucose of about 1 to about 1000 in units of (mg/dl glucose) per (mmHg oxygen). Three methods of making membranes from hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers formed into polymer networks are provided, wherein according to at least two of the methods, the monomers may be substantially immiscible with one another.

Abstract: The invention is the design of a biological measuring device for the determination of the concentration of biomolecules (e.g. glucose) in an environment which is designed for implantation into an individual or for use in the context of an external apparatus. The device contains a composite membrane that is essentially entirely permeable to oxygen and permeable to larger biomolecules only in discrete hydrophilic regions. The membrane diffusionally limits the access of biomolecules to an enzyme, present in the hydrophilic region that catalyzes the oxidation of the biomolecule to produce hydrogen peroxide. A sensor in communication with the hydrophilic region is used to determine the amount of product produced or the amount of excess oxygen present allowing for the concentration of the biomolecule to be determined.

Abstract: A membrane for use in an implantable glucose sensor including at least one crosslinked substantially hydrophobic polymer and at least one crosslinked substantially hydrophilic polymer; wherein the first and second polymers are different polymers and substantially form an interpenetrating polymer network, semi- interpenetrating polymer network, polymer blend, or copolymer. The membranes are generally characterized by providing a permeability ratio of oxygen to glucose of about 1 to about 1000 in units of (mg/dl glucose) per (mmHg oxygen). Three methods of making membranes from hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers formed into polymer networks are provided, wherein according to at least two of the methods, the monomers may be substantially immiscible with one another.

Abstract: A tissue-implantable sensor for measurement of solutes in fluids and gases, such as oxygen and glucose, is provided. The sensor includes a multiplicity of detectors, constructed and arranged to improve the probability that one or more detectors will have access to a vascular source at points in time sufficient to permit accurate measurements to be taken. Means and methods for calculating solute levels using the sensor device of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A protective, biocompatible coating or encapsulation material protects and insulates a component or device intended to be implanted in living tissue. The coating or encapsulation material comprises a thin layer or layers of alumina, zirconia or other ceramic, less than 25 microns thick, e.g., 5-10 microns thick. The alumina layer(s) may be applied at a relatively low temperature. Once applied, the layer provides excellent hermeticity, and prevents electrical leakage. Even though very thin, the alumina layer retains excellent insulating characteristics. In one embodiment, an alumina layer less than about 6 microns thick provides an insulative coating that exhibits less than 10 pA of leakage current over an area 75 mils by 25 mils area while soaking in a saline solution at temperatures up to 80° C. over a three month period.

Abstract: A protective, biocompatible coating or encapsulation material protects and insulates a component or device intended to be implanted in living tissue. The coating or encapsulation material comprises a thin layer or layers of alumina, zerconia, or other ceramic, less than 25 microns thick, e.g., 5–10 microns thick. The alumina layer(s) may be applied at relatively low temperature. Once applied, the layer provides excellent hermeticity, and prevents electrical leakage. Even though very thin, the alumina layer retains excellent insulating characteristics. In one embodiment, an alumina layer less than about 6 microns thick provides an insulative coating that exhibits less than 10 pA of leakage current over an area 75 mils by 25 mils area while soaking in a saline solution at temperatures up to 80° C. over a three month period.

Abstract: A protective, biocompatible coating or encapsulation material protects and insulates a component or device intended to be implanted in living tissue. The coating or encapsulation material comprises a thin layer or layers of alumina, zirconia or other ceramic, less than 25 microns thick, e.g., 5-10 microns thick. The alumina layer(s) may be applied at relatively low temperature. Once applied, the layer provides excellent hermeticity, and prevents electrical leakage. Even though very thin, the alumina layer retains excellent insulating characteristics. In one embodiment, an alumina layer less than about 6 microns thick provides an insulative coating that exhibits less than 10 pA of leakage current over an area 75 mils by 25 mils area while soaking in a saline solution at temperatures up to 80° C. over a three month period.

Abstract: A protective, biocompatible coating or encapsulation material protects and insulates a component or device intended to be implanted in living tissue. The coating or encapsulation material comprises a thin layer or layers of alumina, zerconia, or other ceramic, less than 25 microns thick, e.g., 5-10 microns thick. The alumina layer(s) may be applied at relatively low temperature. Once applied, the layer provides excellent hermeticity, and prevents electrical leakage. Even though very thin, the alumina layer retains excellent insulating characteristics. In one embodiment, an alumina layer less than about 6 microns thick provides an insulative coating that exhibits less than 10 pA of leakage current over an area 75 mils by 25 mils area while soaking in a saline solution at temperatures up to 80° C. over a three month period.

Abstract: A protective, biocompatible coating or encapsulation material protects and insulates a component or device intended to be implanted in living tissue. The coating or encapsulation material comprises a thin layer or layers of alumina, zerconia, or other ceramic, less than 25 microns thick, e.g., 5-10 microns thick. The alumina layer(s) may be applied at relatively low temperature. Once applied, the layer provides excellent hermeticity, and prevents electrical leakage. Even though very thin, the alumina layer retains excellent insulating characteristics. In one embodiment, an alumina layer less than about 6 microns thick provides an insulative coating that exhibits less than 10 pA of leakage current over an area 75 mils by 25 mils area while soaking in a saline solution at temperatures up to 80° C. over a three month period.