Transcutaneous analyte sensor

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.

1 . A sensor for transcutaneous measurement of an analyte concentration in a host, the sensor comprising: 
 a working electrode;    a reference electrode; and    a membrane system disposed on an electroactive portion of the working electrode.    
     
     
         2 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode comprises a plated insulator, wherein the insulator is plated with a conductive material.  
     
     
         3 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode comprises a plated wire.  
     
     
         4 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode comprises a wire of less than about 0.010 inches in diameter.  
     
     
         5 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the working electrode comprises a tube with a reference electrode disposed inside and an insulator therebetween.  
     
     
         6 . The sensor of  claim 5 , wherein the working electrode is flexible.  
     
     
         7 . The sensor of  claim 7 , wherein the working electrode has a variable stiffness.  
     
     
         8 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the reference electrode comprises a tube with a working electrode disposed inside and an insulator therebetween  
     
     
         9 . The sensor of  claim 8 , wherein the reference electrode is flexible.  
     
     
         10 . The sensor of  claim 9 , wherein the reference electrode has a variable stiffness.  
     
     
         11 . The sensor of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulator comprising a non-conductive material, wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode are deposited onto the insulator.  
     
     
         12 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode are electro-plated onto the insulator.  
     
     
         13 . The sensor of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulator comprising a conductive material coated with a non-conductive material, wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode are deposited onto the non-conductive material.  
     
     
         14 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the working electrode is helically wound around the reference electrode.  
     
     
         15 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode has, along a length of the sensor, a configuration selected from the group consisting of double-helix, triple-helix, and quad-helix.  
     
     
         16 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode has a porosity therethrough, wherein the porosity is capable of modifying a response of a host's tissue to the sensor.  
     
     
         17 . The sensor of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode comprises at least one wire configured as a mesh, wherein the porosity is provided by the mesh.  
     
     
         18 . The sensor of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode comprises at least two wires in a helix configuration, and wherein the porosity is provided by spaces within the helix configuration.  
     
     
         19 . The sensor of  claim 16 , wherein the porosity is provided by holes within an in vivo portion of the sensor.  
     
     
         20 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the working electrode and the reference electrode of the sensor are held apart and are configured for insertion into the host in proximal but separate locations.  
     
     
         21 . The sensor of  claim 19 , wherein the working electrode and the reference electrode are less than about 0.010 inches in diameter.  
     
     
         22 . The sensor of  claim 19 , wherein the working and reference electrodes at least about 0.0010 inches in diameter.