Electroanalysis of Glucose in Transcutaneously Extracted Samples

Glucose can be extracted through intact skin by electroosmosis upon application of a low-level electrical current. The amount of glucose extracted has been shown previously to correlate with blood glucose level. An amperometric, GOx-based biosensor was used to measure the amount of glucose in samples extracted from a nondiabetic volunteer every twenty minutes for five hours. The blank-subtracted current output from this sensor accurately tracked blood glucose changes and correlated with the capillary blood glucose values (average r>0.93) and a time lag of twenty minutes. This proof-of-feasibility is a prerequisite to the development of an integrated, wearable glucose monitor for diabetics combining both biosensor and iontophoresis functions.