Diabetes Care, Vol 23, Issue 2 208-214, Copyright © 2000 by American Diabetes Association
A subcutaneous glucose sensor with improved longevity, dynamic range, and stability of calibration
SJ Updike, MC Shults, BJ Gilligan and RK Rhodes
Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Center for Health Sciences, Madison, USA. sjupdike@facstaff.wisc.edu
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the lifetime, response time, linearity, glucose
range, and calibration stability of two different types of continuous
glucose sensor implants in a dog model. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS:
Glucose sensors based on the enzyme electrode principle that are coupled to
a radio transmitter were evaluated on the bench top, sterilized, and then
implanted subcutaneously in nondiabetic mongrel dogs. A multichannel radio
receiver and PC data processor were used to record the sensor glucose data.
Initial early reliable sensor responsivity was recognized by a vigorous
hyperglycemic excursion after an intramuscular injection of glucagon.
Periodically the dogs were made temporarily diabetic by blocking pancreatic
insulin secretion by subcutaneous injection of a synthetic somatostatin
(octreotide). By using exogenous insulin injection followed by intravenous
glucose infusion, glucose levels were manipulated through the entire
clinical range of interest: 2.2-38.9 mmol/l (40-700 mg/dl). Every 5-10 min,
reference blood glucose samples were obtained and run in our hospital
clinical laboratory. The glucose sensor data was evaluated by linear least
squares optimization and by the error grid method. RESULTS: Beginning as
early as postimplant day 7, the in vivo performances of sensors were
evaluated by using glucose infusion studies performed every 1-4 weeks.
Bench-top and in vivo 90% response-time sensors were in the range of 4-7
min during sensor lifetime. Best-performing sensors from both types are
summarized as follows. The earlier-stage technology was less linear with a
dynamic range of no more than 22 mmol/l glucose, had a best-case
recalibration interval of 18 days, and had a maximum lifetime of 94 days.
The improved later-stage technology sensors, which were constructed with
the addition of bioprotective and angiogenic membranes, were linear over
the full extended range of clinical interest (2.2-38.9 mmol/l [40-700 mg/dl
glucose]), had a best-case recalibration interval of 20 days, and had a
maximum lifetime of >160 days. CONCLUSIONS: Stable clinically useful
sensor performance was demonstrated as early as 7 days after implantation
and for a sensor lifetime of 3-5 months. This type of subcutaneous glucose
sensor appears to be promising as a continuous and painless long-term
method for monitoring blood glucose. Specifically sensors with top-layer
materials that stimulate angiogenesis at the sensor/tissue interface may
have better dynamic measurement range, longer lifetimes, and better
calibration stability than our previously reported sensors.