Glucose sensors polyurethane coatings

Polyurethanes have also been employed as outer sensor membranes. Yu et al. evaluated the biocompatibility and analytical performance of a subcutaneous glucose sensor with an epoxy-enhanced polyurethane outer membrane.15 The membrane was mechanically durable and the resulting sensors were functional for up to 56 days when implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of rats. Despite the improved sensor lifetime, all of the polyurethane-coated sensors were surrounded by a fibrous capsule, indicating an enduring inflammatory response that is undesirable due to the aforementioned effects on analytical sensor performance. To date, the clinical success of most passive approaches has been rather limited. It is doubtful that one passive material alone will be capable of imparting long-term (i.e., weeks to months) biocompatibility for in vivo use due to the extremely dynamic nature of the wound environment. 

Vallejo-Heligon SG, Klitzman B, Reichert WM. Characterization of porous, dexa-methasone-releasing polyurethane coatings for glucose sensors. Acta Biomaterialia 2014 10(ll) 4629-38. 

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