Transcutaneous Lactate Monitoring With A Micro-planar Amperometric Biosensor

A transcutaneous lactate monitoring method has been developed by combining a suction effusion fluid (SEF) collecting technique with a micro-planar amperometric biosensor. SEF is an interstitial fluid obtained by applying suction to corneum layer-stripped skin. The micro-planar amperometric biosensor, was developed for determining lactate concentrations in very small SEF samples. The biosensor utilizes a lactate oxidase immobilized membrane on a micro-planar platinum electrode to yield a lactate sensor. Linearity in the lactate sensor output was obtained from 0.5 mM to 25 mM and the response time was about 10 seconds. The sensor was applied to measure the SEF lactate in a rabbit after a high lactate level had been induced in the animal. Lactate concentrations obtained for SEF corresponded well with those obtained directly for whole blood, suggesting the feasibility of transcutaneous lactate monitoring without the use of blood sampling.