Long-Term Continuous Glucose Monitoring Using a Fluorescence-Based Biocompatible Hydrogel Glucose Sensor

Fluorescence-based hydrogel glucose sensors with boronic acid-based glucose recognition are promising regarding their potential to improve continuous glucose monitoring by facilitating long-lasting accuracy. However, these sensors typically become encapsulated after implantation, and the dynamic range decreases following long-term implantation and use. Herein, a four-arm polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel is developed with an immobilized glucose-responsive fluorescence dye (GF-PEG-gel); this hydrogel is effective in mitigating foreign body reactions (FBRs) that hinder stable glucose responses in vivo. The GF-PEG-gel attached to an implantable device successfully traces blood glucose concentrations in diabetic model rats for 45 days. A pig experiment shows that the device measures the glucose concentration with an equivalent accuracy to that required for clinically available settings.