Electroanalysis of glucose in transcutaneously extracted samples

Glucose can be extracted through intact skin by electroosmosis upon applica tion of a low-level electrical current. The amount of glucose extracted has been shown previously to correlate with blood glucose level. An amperometr ic, GOx-based biosensor was used to measure the amount of glucose in sample s extracted from a nondiabetic volunteer every twenty minutes for five hour s. The blank-subtracted current output from this sensor accurately tracked blood glucose changes and correlated with the capillary blood glucose value s (average, > 0.93) and a time lag of twenty minutes. This proof-of-feasibi lity is a prerequisite to the development of an integrated, wearable glucos e monitor for diabetics combining both biosensor and iontophoresis function s.