In vivo experiment with the electrocatalytic glucose sensor in sheep

In order to control the insulin dosage in diabetes therapy, an electrocatalytic glucose sensor for long-term implantation has been developed. To test the sensor function over a longer period, it was implanted as a flow-through cell in a sheep. The sensor was inserted into the carotid artery and driven by a portable electronic unit worn by the animal. The blood flow characteristics were nearly constant over the whole period of measurement. We were able to verify the sensor performance in one experiment lasting over 71 days. Stable calibrations of the sensor were achieved over longer periods of time, so that only a few calibrations are necessary in monitoring the blood glucose level during the whole period of implantation. It was thus possible to set up a calibration which was valid over 33 days (mean error 2.5 mM). These calibrations were not adversely affected by host reactions. The cross-sensitivity of the sensor was also verified, and it was found that the tested molecules did not significantly affect the sensor function. Only high concentrations of lactate and ethanol require a special adaptation of the calibration to suppress their influence. The sensor will be further improved to obtain a still longer calibration stability, and adapted for animal implantation, thus making it useful for clinical application.