Minimally Invasive Microsensor for Blood Alcohol Assay

一个小型的、不显眼的精确测量血液酒精浓度的系统将广泛应用于监测临床、研究和刑事司法目的的酒精消耗和代谢。期望的特征包括：一种敏感、精确和准确的酒精测定方法；一种可靠的取样方法，并提供与血液中酒精浓度直接相关的结果；片上电源和数据存储；而且有明显的篡改迹象。这种需求可以通过一种独特的新设备来满足，该设备基于两种技术的协同作用——申请人实验室首创的用于无痛血液检测的硅微采样和分析芯片，以及集成的电化学酒精生物传感器。

A small, unobtrusive system for accurate measurement of blood alcohol concentration would have wide application in monitoring alcohol consumption and metabolism for clinical, research, and criminal justice purposes. Desirable features include: an alcohol assay method that is sensitive, precise, and accurate; a sampling method that is reliable and provides results directly linked to the alcohol concentration in the blood; on-chip power and data storage; and a clear indication of tampering. This need can be met with a unique new device based on the synergy of two technologies-- the silicon microsampling and assay chip pioneered in the applicant's laboratory for painless blood testing, and an integrated electrochemical alcohol biosensor. The chip includes a microprobe finer than a human hair that can penetrate skin reliably and painlessly. The disposable silicon microchip can be cost-effectively produced by MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) technology. The packaged device does not require expert medical intervention to affix or remove, and can be worn anywhere on the skin. It consists of an adhesive strip resembling a Band-Aid with a two-millimeter long silicon microprobe with electrochemical sensor that protrudes into the skin, plus signal processing circuitry and data storage in an integrated button-like housing. The silicon microchips and electronic instrumentation to perform the sampling step and electrochemical readout will be adapted from devices currently being made by the applicant for diabetic glucose self-testing.