Thermoelectric enzyme sensor for measuring blood glucose

A new calorimetric sensor has been developed which employs a thin-film thermopile in association with an immobilized enzyme. The thermopile detects the minute temperature rise that occurs when a specific chemical substrate is catalyzed by the enzyme. A prototype sensor is described which generates an equivalent proportional voltage response to glucose concentrations present in either buffer solution or blood. These sensors have remained useful for up to 18 days when operated intermittently for measuring glucose in buffer solutions, or for up to 4 days when operated continuously. When implanted inside cardiovascular shunts on anesthetized dogs, the sensors responded appropriately to changes in the blood glucose concentration.