Biochemical piezoresistive sensors based on pH- and glucose-sensitive hydrogels for medical applications

Many conventional analysis techniques to detect chemical or biological species are able to achieve a high detection sensitivity, however, they are equipment- or time-expensive due to a multi-step procedure. In this work we describe sensor concepts using piezoresistive pressure sensor chips with integrated analyte-sensitive hydrogels, that enable inexpensive and robust biochemical sensors which are miniaturizable and in-line capable. Biocompatible hydrogels were developed and tested for pH- and glucose-monitoring during the chemical and biochemical processes. For that, monomer mixtures based on hydroxypropyl methacrylate HPMA, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate DMAEMA, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate TEGDMA and ethylene glycol EG were photo-polymerized. By means of carbodiimide chemistry, glucose oxidase was bound to the pH-sensitive HPMA/DMAEMA/TEGDMA/EG hydrogel squares causing the glucose-sensitivity. The crosslinked hydrogels were integrated in piezoresistive pressure sensors of different designs. pH- and glucose-depending reversible gel swelling processes were observed by means of the output voltage of dip sensors and of a novel implantable flexible sensor set-up. Due to its biocompatible components, the latter could be used inside the human body monitoring physiological blood values, for example glucose.