METHOD FOR INCREASING THE SERVICE LIFE OF AN IMPLANTABLE SENSOR

摘要

A method is described for extending the service life of implantable sensors having a corrodible reference electrode (4), at least one noble metal cathodic working electrode (6), and at least one noble metal anodic counter electrode (8) for the detection of oxygen and/or glucose in bodily fluids, which involves operating both the reference and the working electrodes with each in a first electrical state and prior to occurrence of sensor failure, changing t he electrical state of at least one of the electrodes to a sec- ond electrical state and continuing operation in that second state beyond wh en the sensor would have failed had the first electri- cal state in both electrodes been maintained.