MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL TRANSDERMAL GLUCOSE SENSING USING A PAPER-BASED OR OTHER WICKING SUBSTRATE

摘要

A sensing device comprising a paper-based or other wicking substrate contains detection sites for electrochemically monitoring an analyte in interstitial fluid of a user. Each site includes a heating element, for receiving a first predetermined voltage applied thereto, in order to thermally ablate a stratum corneum of a user's skin to access the interstitial fluid of the user, which is imbibed into a hydrophilic region at the detection site. In one embodiment, the heating element is a serpentine conductive pattern attached at first and second ends thereof to electrode material. In this embodiment, the first voltage preferably creates an open-circuit configuration, including first and second portions of the electrode material that are electrically isolated from each other. The sensing device further comprises a sensing area incorporated into one such electrode that is in contact with the hydrophilic region at the detection site.