[Subcutaneously implantable glucose sensors in patients with diabetes mellitus; still many problems]

Despite considerable scientific efforts, no clinical method is currently available for the continuous monitoring of glucose in subcutaneous tissue fluid. In general, good results were obtained during in-vitro experiments with various implantable glucose sensors. However, after implantation these devices exhibited a progressive loss of sensor function. It is evident that the tissue reaction to the implanted sensor, especially the interactions at the sensor-tissue interface, plays an important role in this loss of function. Adequate strategies to improve in-vivo sensor performance can only be developed if there is a better understanding of the processes involved in sensor inactivation.