Patent ID: 7285197

Claim:
A system for continuous monitoring of analytes in a biological fluid, the system having increased life by virtue of inherent regeneration of sensors employed, the system comprising: a) a biosensor of the type having a flow passage through which fluid is being passed at selectable flow rates, and a sensitive element located in said flow passage which is responsive to some component or property of a biological fluid; b) means for providing a signal from said sensitive element; c) a sampling device for providing a sample of said biological fluid; d) means for passing a background flow through said flow passage at controlled flow rates; e) means for injecting said sample into said background flow at selectable points in time; f) means for increasing the flow rate of said background flow during passage of the sample through said flow passage in order to achieve a washing action on the signal generating portion, wherein the means comprises a control unit programmed to respond to signals from said biosensor.