A biosensing device for detecting biological analytes, and methods of use
and manufacture, are disclosed. The device includes a biosensing element
that can remain implanted for extended periods of time. The biosensing
element is connected to an optical fiber terminating outside of the body.
The optical fiber is also connected to an information analyzer. The
information analyzer directs light through the optical fiber into the
biosensing element. The light excites fluorophores, created by a chemical
reaction between analytes and biosensing material within the biosensing
element. Emitted fluorescent light is redirected through the optical
fiber to the information analyzer. Optical gratings within the filtering
member of the information analyzer selectively deflect fluorescent
emissions into a cladding layer. Detectors attached to the cladding layer
detect the deflected fluorescent emissions and, according to their
determined wavelength, report the presence or quantity of specific
analytes to the patient on an external display.