Thermoelectric enzyme sensor for measuring blood glucose

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Enzyme Technology

Background:

• Accurate glucose monitoring is crucial for diabetes management.
• Existing glucose sensors face challenges with stability and continuous monitoring.
• Calorimetric sensing offers a potential alternative detection method.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a new calorimetric sensor for glucose measurement.
• To assess the sensor's performance in buffer solutions and biological samples.
• To investigate the long-term stability and in vivo applicability of the sensor.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a calorimetric sensor using a thin-film thermopile and immobilized enzyme.
• Detection of temperature changes resulting from enzyme-catalyzed substrate reactions.
• Calibration and testing of the sensor's voltage response to varying glucose concentrations.
• In vitro stability tests in buffer solutions and in vivo implantation in canine cardiovascular shunts.

Main Results:

• The sensor demonstrated a proportional voltage response to glucose concentrations.
• Intermittent use in buffer solutions yielded sensor utility for up to 18 days.
• Continuous operation in buffer solutions maintained sensor function for up to 4 days.
• The implanted sensor successfully responded to changes in blood glucose levels in dogs.

Conclusions:

• The developed calorimetric sensor is a viable tool for glucose detection.
• The sensor exhibits adequate stability for short-term monitoring applications.
• In vivo testing confirms the sensor's potential for blood glucose monitoring.