US Patent 7108778 Electrochemical sensors including electrode systems with increased oxygen generation

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for increasing oxygen generation in electrochemical sensors in order to overcome the oxygen limitations. The preferred embodiments employ electrode systems with at least two electrodes in relatively close proximity to each other; wherein at least one electrode is configured to generate oxygen and at least one other electrode is configured to sense an analyte or a product of a reaction indicative of the concentration of analyte. The oxygen generated by the oxygen-generating electrode is available to the catalyst within a membrane system and/or the counter electrode, thereby enabling the electrochemical sensors of the preferred embodiments to function even during ischemic conditions.