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 . A testing apparatus, comprising:
 an analyte sensor having a sensor body comprised of a semiconductor material;   an active region coupled to the sensor body; and   a lancet formed on an end of the analyte sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The testing apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a housing having a port into which an analyte sensor is received. 
     
     
         3 . The testing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the housing contains an electrolyte fluid, and a reference electrode is positioned in contact with the electrolyte fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The testing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an array of sensors including the analyte sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The testing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrolyte fluid in contact with at least a portion of the sensor body. 
     
     
         6 . A testing apparatus, comprising:
 an analyte sensor having a cylindrical sensor body;   an active region positioned within the cylindrical sensor body, the active region configured to determine an analyte concentration level;   a lancet positioned on an end of the cylindrical sensor body;   a housing having a port, the cylindrical sensor body configured to extend forwardly and retract backwardly through the port; and   an electrolyte fluid contained in the housing.   
     
     
         7 . The testing apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a reference electrode positioned within the electrolyte fluid in the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The testing apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the reference electrode comprises a coil or a foil. 
     
     
         9 . The testing apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the reference electrode comprises a conductive core. 
     
     
         10 . The testing apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a motive device configured to cause relative movement between the housing and the cylindrical sensor body. 
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing an analyte sensor, comprising:
 providing a fiber comprised of a semiconductor material;   forming a cavity proximate to the fiber;   forming an active region in the cavity; and   forming a lancet on the analyte sensor.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the providing the fiber comprised of the semiconductor material comprises providing a SiC/C fiber in the form of a cylindrical sensor body. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the providing the fiber comprised of the semiconductor material comprises providing a SiC cladding and a carbon core in the form of a cylindrical sensor body. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the forming the cavity proximate to the fiber comprises forming the cavity proximate to the fiber by removing a portion of a core of the fiber. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the forming the cavity proximate to the fiber comprises forming the cavity in a side wall of the fiber. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the forming the cavity comprises forming a cavity in a separate lancet member; and   the forming the lancet comprises coupling the separate lancet member to the fiber, the fiber in the form of a cylindrical sensor body.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the forming the lancet comprises forming a cleaved end on the fiber, the fiber in the form of a cylindrical sensor body. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising coupling a reference electrode to fiber, the reference electrode comprising a coil, foil, or film. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising positioning a reference electrode in the cavity such that a non-zero distance separates the reference electrode from the active region. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising forming a pocket at a bottom of the cavity, the active region formed in the pocket.