[Development and evaluation of an electrocatalytic glucose sensor for diabetes therapy]

For the continuous measurement of glucose levels in vivo, an electrocatalytic glucose sensor has been developed. Electrochemical determination of the glucose concentration is effected by measurement of the impedance, which at given potentials is directly dependent on the glucose concentration in the solution. For evaluation and determination of long-term stability, the sensor was first implanted in the carotid artery in the form of a flow-through cell, and was later inserted into the vena cava of a sheep in the form of a catheter. Sensor response was checked periodically by performing glucose tolerance tests. During the implantation period, we also tested the sensitivity of the sensor towards various blood components and medicaments. By adapting sensor calibration, it proved possible to suppress these cross-sensitivity effects. The flow-through cell type of sensor remained functional for up to 71 days post-implantation. So far, data for the catheter-type sensor cover an indwelling time of up to 30 days.