Minimally invasive glucose and lactate sensors

We have further developed an in vivo technique which appears to overcome most problems of existing glucose and lactate sensors: the open microflow. This exploits the small negative hydrostatic pressure of subcutaneous tissue to enable continuous flow of buffer solution around the electrode tip. This pumpless fluid flow hydrates local tissue, yet remains under physiological control as part of the balance of transcapillary fluid exchange, as determined by osmotic and hydrostatic pressure balance (Starling´s forces). The functional outcome of the needle-microflow combination in the case of glucose, is rapid in vivo stabilisation, identity of blood to tissue levels, a tissue lag time of under one minute and maintained stability