Wireless, Low-Maintenance Transdermal Alcohol Sensor

描述(由申请人提供)：测量经皮酒精可能是一种非常不显眼、廉价和准确的方法，可以在研究和现场环境中持续研究受试者的酒精消费行为，并用于监测特殊人群。在电化学传感、材料科学和工程学方面提出了几项创新的技术进展，这将导致一种新型的透皮酒精传感系统来测量血液中的酒精浓度。拟议中的传感器将超越目前Giner Inc.的专利技术，构成新的、创新的、潜在的专利技术。新的传感器几乎不需要维护，响应时间非常快，佩戴更舒适，允许从家里传输数据，并且制造成本更低。总之，建议的产品是一种戴在手腕上的坚固、舒适的传感器，可经皮检测血液酒精(10-200 mg/dl)，维护要求低，无线通信，制造经济。第一阶段计划的具体目标是：1)设计和评估维护传感器水合的低维护系统。2)研究适用于自动化/半自动制造技术的传感器配置；3)引入低功耗、光、无线通信；4)在临床环境中演示第一阶段原型的性能。 商业潜力：连续、非侵入性酒精监测仪有许多市场：1)研究和临床治疗计划。2)为昏迷、丧失行为能力或不能用力呼气的个体设置急诊室。3)监测敏感行业(航空、核能)中有或没有已知酒精问题的专业人员。4)监控有酒驾/酒后驾车前科的司机。5)刑事司法系统，法院需要监控假释、缓刑或软禁中被判有罪的罪犯的戒酒情况。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Measurement of transdermal alcohol is potentially a very unobtrusive, inexpensive and accurate way of continuously studying the alcohol consumption behavior of subjects in research and field settings as well as for monitoring special populations. Several innovative technological advances in ectrochemical sensing, materials science and engineering are proposed that will result in a novel transdermal alcohol sensing system to measure blood alcohol concentration. The proposed sensor will go beyond the current Giner Inc. patented technology and constitute new, innovative, and potentially patentable technology. The new sensor will require virtually no maintenance, have a very rapid response time, be more comfortable to wear, allow transfer of data from the home, and be less expensive to manufacture. In summary, the proposed product is a robust, comfortable sensor worn on the wrist that detects blood alcohol transdermally (10-200 mg/dl) and has low maintenance requirements, wireless communication and is economical to manufacture. The Specific Aims of the Phase I program are to: 1) design and evaluate a low maintenance system to maintain sensor hydration. 2) investigate sensor configurations which are amenable to utomated/semi-automated manufacturing techniques 3) introduce low-power, optical, wireless communication and 4) demonstrate the performance of the Phase I prototype in a clinical setting. Commercial Potential: There a number of markets for a continuous, noninvasive alcohol monitor: 1) Research and clinical treatment programs. 2) Emergency room setting for individuals that are unconscious, incapacitated, or unable to exhale forcibly. 3) Monitoring of professionals with or without known alcohol problems in sensitive industries (aviation, nuclear). 4) Monitoring drivers with prior DWI/DUI convictions. 5) Criminal justice system, where the court needs to monitor alcohol abstinence of convicted criminals on parole, probation or house arrest.