An implantable enzyme-based monitoring system suitable for long term in vivo
use
to measure the concentration of prescribed substances such as glucose is provided.
In one embodiment, the implantable enzyme-based monitoring system includes at least
one sensor assembly, an outer membrane surrounding the sensor assembly and having
a window therein, and a polymeric window cover affixed to the outer membrane and
covering the window. Preferably, the outer membrane of the monitoring system is
silicone and the window cover is a polymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA),
N,N,-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and methacrylic acid (MA). Also provided
herein is an implantable enzyme-based monitoring system having at least one sensor
assembly, an outer membrane surrounding the sensor assembly and a coating affixed
to the exterior surface of the outer membrane, wherein the coating resists blood
coagulation and protein binding to the exterior surface of the outer membrane.
Preferably, the coating is polyethylene glycol (PEG) and heparin in an 80:20 molar
ratio. Finally, provided herein is a method of coating the exterior surface of
the outer membrane of an implantable enzyme-based monitoring system comprising
the steps of forming hydroxyl groups on the silicone surface by plasma etching;
reacting the silicone surface with amino functionalized silane, thereby forming
amino groups on the silicone surface; simultaneously, covalently binding polyethylene
glycol (PEG) and heparin to the amino groups; and ionically binding heparin to
the monitoring system surface.