M. Tapsak
Glucotrack Inc.,
United States
Keywords: biosensors, polyurethanes, glucose
Summary:
The development of next generation biosensors for glucose monitoring hinges on the precise engineering of permselective polymer membranes and the effective immobilization of enzymes within polymer matrices. Permselective polymer membranes must regulate the diffusion of glucose and other analytes of interest while maintaining biocompatibility and sensor longevity. Innovations in polymer chemistry have enabled the creation of multilayer polymer membrane systems that balance hydrophilic and hydrophobic microstructures, thereby optimizing the transport of glucose and oxygen to the sensor interface. For sensors that comprise an enzyme to afford selectivity to an analyte of interest, equally important is the immobilization of that enzyme often within the polymer matrix. This ensures the enzyme's stability and activity over extended periods. Techniques such as covalent bonding and entrapment within cross-linked polymer networks have been employed to maintain enzyme functionality, contributing to the sensor's accuracy and durability. This presentation will cover general methodologies of constructing permselective membranes for biosensors, highlighting their impact on the performance and longevity of a long-term implantable glucose biosensor. The discussion will include insights from recent developments at Glucotrack, Inc., where innovative approaches in addition to computational modeling are resulting in sensor function predicted to last over three years.