Biosensors & bioelectronics
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Biosens Bioelectron · Apr 2007
Development of a self-sterilizing lancet coated with a titanium dioxide photocatalytic nano-layer for self-monitoring of blood glucose.
A photocatalyst was applied to a lancet for pricking the finger to obtain an antibacterial property. A photocatalytic and uniform nano-layer of titanium dioxide (TiO2) on the surface of the lancet (0.36 mm x 24.5 mm) was formed by sputtering and annealed for crystallization of the TiO2 layer. By elementary analysis of the TiO2 layer, titanium and oxygen were detected. ⋯ Finally, lancing resistances obtained by pricking an artificial skin sheet were examined using control lancets, and lancets with an unannealed TiO2 layer or an annealed TiO2 layer. The results showed almost the same lancing resistances for the control (0.53+/-0 N, n=3) and the lancet with an annealed TiO2 layer (0.51+/-0.018 N), while the lancet with an unannealed TiO2 layer showed a high lancing resistance compared with the other lancets (0.62+/-0.05 N). In conclusion, the lancet coated with a crystallized, velvety nano-layer of TiO2 obtained by annealing had antibacterial properties and a similar lancing resistance compared with the bare lancet, and showed potential for application in monitoring blood glucose in diabetes.