Lancet analyte sensors and methods of manufacturing

Abstract

In some aspects, an analyte sensor is provided for obtaining and detecting an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample. The analyte sensor has a sensor body including a semiconductor material, an active region coupled to the sensor body, and a lancet provided on the analyte sensor. The conductor may include a fiber having a core of a conductive material and a semiconductor cladding surrounding the core. Numerous other aspects are provided.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . An analyte sensor, comprising:
 a cylindrical sensor body;   an active region positioned within the cylindrical sensor body, the active region configured to determine an analyte concentration level; and   a fluid electrolyte in contact with at least a portion of the cylindrical sensor body.   
     
     
         2 . The analyte sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor body comprises a core comprising a conductive material and a cladding surrounding the core comprising a semiconductor material. 
     
     
         3 . The analyte sensor of  claim 1 , further comprising a lancet positioned at an end of the cylindrical sensor body. 
     
     
         4 . The analyte sensor of  claim 3 , wherein the lancet is formed by a cleaved surface at the end of the cylindrical sensor body. 
     
     
         5 . The analyte sensor of  claim 3 , wherein the lancet comprises a separate lancet member coupled to the end of the cylindrical sensor body. 
     
     
         6 . The analyte sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical sensor body has a cavity extending from an end of the cylindrical sensor body, the active region positioned at a bottom of the cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The analyte sensor of  claim 1 , further comprising a reference electrode, wherein the reference electrode is coupled to the fluid electrolyte. 
     
     
         8 . The analyte sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical sensor body has a conduit and the active region is fluidly coupled to the fluid electrolyte via the conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The analyte sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical sensor body is configured to extend and retract within a port in a housing. 
     
     
         10 . An analyte sensor comprising:
 a cylindrical sensor body;   an active region positioned within the cylindrical sensor body, the active region configured to determine an analyte concentration level; and   a reference electrode coupled to the cylindrical sensor body, wherein the reference electrode comprises a coil, foil, or film.   
     
     
         11 . The analyte sensor of  claim 10 , further comprising a lancet positioned at an end of the cylindrical sensor body. 
     
     
         12 . The analyte sensor of  claim 10 , further comprising a sealing material that surrounds the reference electrode and at least a portion of the cylindrical sensor body. 
     
     
         13 . The analyte sensor of  claim 10 , wherein the cylindrical sensor body comprises:
 a core comprised of a conductive material;   a cladding comprised of a semiconductor material surrounding the core; and   a cavity formed proximate to the core; wherein:   the active region is positioned within the cavity.   
     
     
         14 . An analyte sensor comprising:
 a cylindrical sensor body having a cavity therein;   an active region positioned within the cavity, the active region configured to determine an analyte concentration level; and   a reference electrode positioned within the cavity.   
     
     
         15 . The analyte sensor of  claim 14 , wherein a distance separates the reference electrode from the active region in the cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The analyte sensor of  claim 14 , further comprising a lancet positioned at an end of the cylindrical sensor body. 
     
     
         17 . The analyte sensor of  claim 14 , wherein the cavity includes a pocket formed into a core of the cylindrical sensor body and the active region is applied in the pocket. 
     
     
         18 . An analyte sensor comprising:
 a cylindrical sensor body comprising:
 a core comprised of a conductive material; 
 a cladding comprised of a semiconductor material; and 
 a cavity in the core extending from an end of the cylindrical sensor body; 
   an active region positioned at a bottom of the cavity, the active region configured to determine an analyte concentration level; and   a lancet positioned at the end of the cylindrical sensor body.   
     
     
         19 . The analyte sensor of  claim 18 , further comprising a first electrode in electrical contact with the active area and the core. 
     
     
         20 . The analyte sensor of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 an insulating layer surrounding the cladding; and   a reference electrode at least partially surrounding the insulating layer.