POTENTIAL GLUCOSE SENSOR FOR PERIOPERATIVE BLOOD-GLUCOSE CONTROL IN DIABETES-MELLITUS

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.