A potentially implantable enzyme electrode for amperometric measurement of glucose

A membrane limited amperometric enzyme electrode suitable for glucose measurement in biological fluids was developed. The sensor consists of a central platinum wire (0.3 mm) surrounded by a stainless steel tubing (0.8-1.0 mm outer diameter; 2-4 cm length). By successive dipcoating procedures, layers from cellulose acetate, glucose oxidase (crosslinked with glutaraldehyde) and polyurethane are placed on its surface. The platinum is polarized at +700 mV against steel. In vitro results: Electrodes are stable for at least 6 days. They exhibit a linear range extending to 500 mg/dl glucose. Response times are less than 100 sec. The sensors are not dependent on stirring and are relatively insensitive to changes of pH. Dependency of glucose measurement upon dissolved oxygen is negligible at oxygen concentrations above 0.5 mg/l. In vivo results: Preliminary studies in sheep using subcutaneously implanted needles indicate that short term glucose monitoring is feasible.