Novel osmotic sensor for a continuous implantable blood-sugar reader

This paper presents the design and development of a novel osmotic glucose sensor that will be miniaturized to record the concentration of blood sugar in people suffering from diabetes mellitus. Key sensor components based on microfabrication technologies include a 1.03 bar differential silicon pressure transducer, nanoporous membrane and a 2 μW electronic interface combined with a wireless inductive powered communication link running at 13.56 MHz. The verification of the components and design principle in situ has permitted the detection of osmotic pressures from 0 to 40 mM glucose based on the direct measurements of glucose and the implementation of a reversible competitive affinity assay. The sensor components will be translated into a miniaturized package suitable for subcutaneous implantation.