An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.

Analyte Monitoring Device And Methods Of Use

Wearable biosensors are garnering substantial interest due to their potential to provide continuous, real-time physiological information via dynamic, noninvasive measurements of biochemical markers in biofluids, such as sweat, tears, saliva and interstitial fluid. Recent developments have focused on electrochemical and optical biosensors, together with advances in the noninvasive monitoring of biomarkers including metabolites, bacteria and hormones. A combination of multiplexed biosensing, microfluidic sampling and transport systems have been integrated, miniaturized and combined with flexible materials for improved wearability and ease of operation. Although wearable biosensors hold promise, a better understanding of the correlations between analyte concentrations in the blood and noninvasive biofluids is needed to improve reliability. An expanded set of on-body bioaffinity assays and more sensing strategies are needed to make more biomarkers accessible to monitoring. Large-cohort validation studies of wearable biosensor performance will be needed to underpin clinical acceptance. Accurate and reliable real-time sensing of physiological information using wearable biosensor technologies would have a broad impact on our daily lives.

Wearable biosensors for healthcare monitoring.

http://cau.ac.kr/~jjang14/BioMEMS/Lazcka_BSBE_Pathogen_Detection_Review_2006.pdf

Pathogen detection: a perspective of traditional methods and biosensors.

Glucose oxidase: an ideal enzyme

Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), which is composed of four multiprotein complexes named complex I-IV, is believed to be important in the aging process and in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Previous studies have identified the ubiquinone of complex III and an unknown component of complex I as the major sites of ROS generation. Here we show that the physiologically relevant ROS generation supported by the complex II substrate succinate occurs at the flavin mononucleotide group (FMN) of complex I through reversed electron transfer, not at the ubiquinone of complex III as commonly believed. Indirect evidence indicates that the unknown ROS-generating site within complex I is also likely to be the FMN group. It is therefore suggested that the major physiologically and pathologically relevant ROS-generating site in mitochondria is limited to the FMN group of complex I. These new insights clarify an elusive target for intervening mitochondrial ROS-related processes or diseases.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.0022-3042.2002.00744.x

Generation of reactive oxygen species by the mitochondrial electron transport chain

Fluorometric determination of hyaluronidase and of Cu(II), Fe(II), and cyanide ion inhibitors

An enzymatic, fluorometric method is described for determination of serum urea on silicone-rubber pads. In this method, the reagents are lyophilized on the surface of the pads, NADH on one side and a mixture of urease, glutamate dehydrogenase, and alpha-ketoglutarate on the other. The rate of disappearance of NADH fluorescence at 460nm (excitation wavelength, 340 nm) is monitored and related to serum urea concentration. The calibration curve is linear to 250 mg of urea per liter. The method affords a rapid, simple, and inexpensive means for urea assay, the results of which correlate well with automatic diacetyl monoxime method (correlation coefficient, 0.998).

Enzymatic Determination of Serum Urea on the Surface of Silicone-Rubber Pads

Enzyme analysis by means of the air-gap electrode--determination of urease and arginase by monitoring of the initial reaction rate.

The electrochemical oxidative behavior of cysteine and several disulfides, such as cystine, lipoic acid and disulfiram, have been investigated using a carbon past (EPC) and a modified carbon paste (EPCM) electrode. The study has permitted the differentiation of the oxidative behavior of the thiol and of the disulfides. Modification of the carbon paste, by incorporating cobalt(II) phtalocyanine, offers interesting properties due to the electrocatalytic capability of the electrode. Using these types of electrodes the different molecules have been quantitatively determined at concentration as low as 2.10−7 M.

Electrochemical Study of Thiols and Disulfides Using Modified Electrodes

A stirrer containing immobilized glucose dehydrogenase has been successfully used for determining glucose in plasma. The device is usable for at least two months and for about 500 assays. The reaction was measured kinetically and linearity was observed to 4 g of glucose per liter. Tested with aqueous glucose and with deproteinized plasma, within-day and day-to-day precision were good. Interference and method-comparison (hexokinase method) were examined. The performance of this system makes the technique useful and attractive for routine use in small-volume clinical laboratories.

George G. Guilbault

Papers

Fluorometric determination of hyaluronidase and of Cu(II), Fe(II), and cyanide ion inhibitors

Enzymatic Determination of Serum Urea on the Surface of Silicone-Rubber Pads

Enzyme analysis by means of the air-gap electrode--determination of urease and arginase by monitoring of the initial reaction rate.

Electrochemical Study of Thiols and Disulfides Using Modified Electrodes

Determination of plasma glucose with use of a stirrer containing immobilized glucose dehydrogenase.