PositiveID has filed a provisional patent application with the US Patent and Trademark Office covering the interface between a radio frequency (RF) powered resonant electromechanical drive and the fluids in the interstitial space of a patient for continuous detection of glucose levels in a patient. The interface employs a resonant electromechanical drive for mass sensing and RF communication of glucose levels.
The new interface represents the next evolution in the development of an implantable glucose sensor that relies on passive RF technology to continuously monitor in vivo glucose levels over an extended period of time. The new technology is expected to effectively implement the glucose level RF sensing technology that is described in PositiveID’s previously issued Patent No. 7,125,382 entitled ‘Embedded Bio-Sensor System.’
In conjunction with partner Receptors, the PositiveID is in Phase II development of its implantable glucose-sensing microchip. The goal of Phase II, which is expected to be completed in mid-2010, is to optimise the sensing system for its glucose response in the presence of blood and interstitial fluid matrix components and demonstrate the integration of the components into a stable and reproducible glucose sensor.
PositiveID’s implantable glucose-sensing microchip will consist of a RF-powered molecular sensor that uses a combination of the analyte binding surface chemistry developed by Receptors and exclusively licensed to PositiveID for this application, with Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) technology and RF inductive powered sensing.
The provisional patent covers the use of RF technology to help sense and communicate changes in mass i.e., glucose levels in the blood through an electromechanical drive-based wireless molecular sensor to an external reader.
Scott Silverman, chairman and CEO of PositiveID, said: “The significant progress we continue to make in the development of our glucose-sensing microchip is further evidenced by today’s announcement of this transformational technology patent filing.
“This filing represents the foundation technology of our glucose-sensing microchip, which we believe will enable us to develop a product that could potentially change the way diabetics get their blood sugar readings, eliminating their need to prick their fingers multiple times per day.”