BIOSENSORS FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

The application of biosensors in medicine falls into three major areas: analysis of clinical samples, ex vivo monitoring and in vivo monitoring. Clinical chemistry is the most advanced area and biosensors for glucose are commercially available; in the near future we expect alcohol, cholesterol and lactate biosensors to be available. Continuous monitoring has been achieved with large instruments and only recently with portable instruments. Two major approaches are described; the fabrication and use of needle electrodes and the coupling between microdialysis and biosensors. By using the latter technique a prototype has been assembled for glucose continuous measurement of reduced dimensions for 24 h monitoring (Glucoday).