DEVICES AND METHODS FOR ANALYSIS OF NON-IONIC SOLUTES

摘要

This invention relates to devices and methods for detecting and monitoring the concentration, level or amount of a target molecule in solution. More particularly, the invention is directed to sensors that evaluate changes in conductivity produced by the reaction of a target molecule with a sensor composition. The invention is particularly well suited for determining the concentration of carbohydrate compounds in solution, such as diol compounds, preferably biologically significant cis-diols such as various sugars including glucose. The invention also encompasses sensors for determining the total or relative amount of target molecule in a sample, particularly a biological sample such as blood, urine, or other biological fluids. A laminated sensor of the invention comprises a sensor composition applied to a metal electrode, such as an interdigitated gold electrode on a non-conductive support. The sensor composition and electrode are and preferably encapsulated by a bipolar membrane. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor composition is a blend of a boronic acid polymer and a non-ionogenic hydrogel matrix.