Continuous amperometric monitoring of subcutaneous oxygen in rabbit by telemetry.

The primary objective was to develop a telemetric oxygen sensor designed for implantation in subcutaneous tissue. In the sensor, the platinum indicating electrode was covered with polythene to retard oxygen entry and avoid interference. Given the potential for large indicating electrodes to deplete oxygen in vivo, some sensors were made with very small indicating electrodes. Sensors were tested in the anesthetized rabbit at various oxygen concentrations. Animals were studied 1 and 5 days after implementation. The sensor could detect changes in oxygen in vivo. Measurements were similar at 1 and 5 days and sensors with different sized electrodes yielded similar results. This telemetric implantable amperometric sensor can detect variations in tissue oxygenation and may have applications in cardiopulmonary physiology, continuous glucose monitoring and other related fields.