Tissue-integrating sensors

Abstract

Tissue-integrating biosensors, systems comprising these sensors and methods of using these sensors and systems for the detection of one or more analytes are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tissue-integrating sensor for detecting an analyte, the sensor comprising
 a tissue-integrating scaffold; and   one or more sensing moieties, wherein the sensing moieties produce a detectable signal in the presence of the analyte; and   further wherein the sensor provides detection of the analyte when placed into the tissue of a subject.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold consists of the one or more sensing moieties. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor of  claim 3 , wherein the polymer comprises a hydrogel. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing moieties are embedded within the scaffold. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing moieties are attached to the exterior of the scaffold. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor of  claim 6 , further comprising a coating exterior to the sensing moieties. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold is porous and further wherein at least two of the pores of the scaffold are interconnected. 
     
     
         9 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing moieties comprise microspheres or nanospheres. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises multiple layers. 
     
     
         11 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises one or more fibers. 
     
     
         12 . The sensor of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more calibration moieties. 
     
     
         13 . A system for detecting an analyte, the system comprising
 a tissue-integrating sensor according to  claim 1 ; and   a module that generates or measures the signal produced by the sensing moieties.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a component selected from the group consisting of a detector, a signal receiver, a signal transmitter, a signal processing component, an energy storage component, a data storage component, a data transmitter, a data display device, a data processing component and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . A method for detection of an analyte in a tissue of a subject, the method comprising
 integrating a sensor according to  claim 1  into the tissue and   detecting the presence of the analyte.