Eccrine Systems, Inc.

Epicore Biosystems, Inc.

Gavi Begtrup

Jason C Heikenfeld

Jacob A Bertrand

Robert Beech

Austin Morgan

Brian P Hanley

Nicholas Bailey

Mikel Larson

Cory Newland

Nathan Weinle

The present invention provides a biofluid sensing device capable of concentrating a biofluid sample with respect to a target analyte, so that the analyte can be accurately detected or measured by EAB sensors. Methods for using such a device provide qualitative information about the presence of the analyte, and/or quantitative information about relative concentrations of the analyte in the biofluid. The disclosed device includes a concentration channel for concentrating the biofluid sample, as well as a selectively permeable membrane, one or more EAB sensors, and one or more secondary sensors carried on a water-impermeable substrate. A method for using the disclosed device to collect a biofluid sample, concentrate the sample relative to a target analyte, and measure the target analyte is also disclosed.

EAB sensing devices with biofluid sample concentration

Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide devices and methods to incorporate suspension-based, i.e., hydrogel-based and thixotropic compound-based, ion-selective electrodes and reference electrodes into a wearable sweat sensing device. Embodiments of this device are configured to monitor sweat electrolyte concentrations, trends, and ratios under demanding use conditions. The accompanying method includes use of the disclosed device to track fluid and electrolyte gain and loss in order to produce an electrolyte estimate, such as a sweat electrolyte concentration, a sweat electrolyte concentration trend, a sweat rate, or a concentration ratio between a plurality of electrolytes.

Sweat electrolyte loss monitoring devices

The disclosed invention provides a sweat sensing device configured with self-aligned sweat stimulation means to provide adequate sweat generation for continuous monitoring of sweat. The disclosed device includes one or more analyte-specific sweat sensors that self-align with sweat glands. In one embodiment, the sweat sensing device includes means to protect the self-aligning sensors from abrasion against the skin or device components. In another embodiment, the device includes prolonged sweat stimulation for the self-aligning sensors through diffusion of a sweat stimulating compound into the skin.

Sweat sensing devices with sensor abrasion protection

The disclosed invention provides sweat sensing devices with smart sweat stimulation and sensing embodiments: which improve the dependability and predictability of sweat sampling rates; achieve a desired number of sweat sampling events per day while minimizing skin irritation and prolonging device lifespan; and use physical, optical or thermal sweat stimulation to augment or replace chemical sweat stimulation.

Smart sweat stimulation and sensing devices

The disclosed invention includes sweat sensing devices configured to periodically measure sweat conductivity and galvanic skin response, devices to measure volumetric sweat flow rate, and devices that combine the three functions. The disclosure further includes methods for using a device configured to perform periodic sweat conductivity measurements, galvanic skin response measurements, and volumetric sweat rate measurements so that each sensor modality informs composite estimates of sweat onset, sweat cessation, sweat ion concentration, and sweat rate. The method uses those measurements to inform other sweat sensing device functions, such as determining the existence of a physiological condition, or performing measurements of concentrations, ratios, and trends of sweat analytes.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Gavi Begtrup