Patent ID: 8306598

Claim:
An analyte responsive electrochemical sensor assembly, comprising: an analyte responsive electrochemical sensor, comprising; a substrate having a narrow distal region for implantation transcutaneously through a skin surface and a wider proximal region, the substrate including at least a first surface and a second surface; at least one working electrode disposed on the narrow distal region of the substrate, the narrow distal region in fluid contact with interstitial fluid under the skin surface, the at least one working electrode formed on the first surface of the substrate; at least one reference electrode disposed on the narrow distal region of the substrate, the at least one reference electrode formed on the first surface of the substrate; at least one counter electrode disposed on the narrow distal region of the substrate, the at least one counter electrode formed on the second surface of the substrate; a sensing layer comprising a catalyst and an electron transfer agent disposed proximate to the working electrode; at least one contact pad disposed on the wider proximal region of the substrate and in electrical communication with at least one of the working electrode and the reference electrode, the at least one contact pad formed on the first surface of the substrate; a biocompatible layer disposed proximate the working electrode; and at least one electrical via formed through the substrate that electrically connects the counter electrode to the at least one contact pad; wherein the substrate is bent when the contact pad on the wider proximal region is in electrical contact with sensor electronics such that the narrow distal region of the substrate is maintained at an angle approximately 90 degrees or less relative to the wider proximal region and the skin surface to minimize the amount of the wider proximal region of the sensor extending away from the skin surface in a substantially perpendicular direction from the skin surface so to maintain a low profile sensor electronics in electrical connection with the contact pad of the wider proximal region of the sensor substrate; and a sensor control unit including at least one conductive contact that electrically connects to the one more contact pad of the analyte responsive electrochemical sensor.