Potential glucose sensor for perioperative blood glucose control in diabetes mellitus

Abstract

A glucose sensor intended for future use in diabetic patients undergoing major surgery is described. It involves glucose oxidase immobilised at a platinised activated carbon electrode (PACE). The sensor gave a non-oxygen dependent amperometric response in whole undiluted blood and did not require the use of electron mediators. In vitro studies in protein containing buffer using a flow cell indicated current densities of approximately 160 nA mm−2 mM−1 and a linear response over the range 0–20 mM. The operational stability of the sensor was at least 49 h in continuous use. In addition the sensor had a 90–99% response time of 1 min when used at a flow rate of 3 ml min−1 and showed a temperature dependence of 2·4% C−1. The results reported suggest significant advantages of this approach, for future use as a perioperative intra-vascular sensor for diabetic subjects, over previously reported glucose sensors.