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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Hollow Microneedle-based Sensor for Multiplexed Transdermal Electrochemical Sensing
Published on: June 1, 2012
Glucose-sensing electrode coated with polymer complex gel containing phenylboronic Acid
A Kikuchi1, K Suzuki, O Okabayashi
1Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Tokyo Women's Medical College, 8-1 Kawadacho, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162, Japan, Department of Applied Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Denki University, Ishizaka, Hatoyamacho, Hikigun, Saitama 350-03, Japan, and Department of Materials Science, and Research Institute for Biosciences, Science University of Tokyo, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278, Japan.
A novel copolymer complex with poly(vinyl alcohol) exhibits glucose-responsive swelling, enabling a sensitive platinum electrode sensor for blood glucose monitoring. This system demonstrates high selectivity and reproducibility for physiological glucose levels.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Developing accurate and sensitive glucose sensors is crucial for diabetes management.
- Existing glucose sensing technologies face challenges with selectivity and stability.
- Boronic acid-based polymers offer potential for glucose recognition due to their interaction with cis-diols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel glucose-responsive polymer complex for electrochemical sensing.
- To investigate the glucose-induced swelling behavior of the polymer complex.
- To evaluate the performance of a platinum electrode coated with this complex for glucose detection.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a copolymer containing phenylboronic acid and tertiary amine moieties.
- Formation of a polymer-polymer complex with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA).
- Fabrication of a membrane-coated platinum electrode and electrochemical measurements in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).
Main Results:
- The polymer complex exhibited significant swelling changes in response to varying glucose concentrations.
- The membrane-coated electrode showed glucose-responsive current changes proportional to glucose levels (0-300 mg/dL).
- The system demonstrated high selectivity for glucose over methyl α-d-glucoside and reproducible responses to stepwise concentration changes.
Conclusions:
- The phenylboronic acid-containing copolymer-PVA complex is a promising material for glucose-responsive hydrogels.
- The developed electrode system offers a sensitive and selective approach for electrochemical glucose sensing.
- This technology holds potential for novel, non-invasive glucose monitoring devices.

