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.