# US 12,007,350 B2 · Devices, systems, and methods for measuring a solution characteristic of a sample comprising microorganisms > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,007,350 B2 - Document ID: US12007350B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/057,622 - Filed: 2022-11-21 - Published: 2023-03-23 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-19 - Assignees: Avails Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Avails Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Creighton T. Buie; Hima Shah; Nitin K. Rajan; Ashraf M. Wahba; Oren S. Knopfmacher; Meike Herget - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12007350B2 ## CPC - G01N 27/301: {Reference electrodes} - G01N 33/5438: {Electrodes} - B01L 3/5023: {with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis} - G01N 27/125: {Composition of the body, e.g. the composition of its sensitive layer} - G01N 27/302: {pH sensitive, e.g. quinhydron, antimony or hydrogen electrodes (ion selective electrodes G01N27/333, glass electrodes G01N27/36)} - G01N 27/4167: {pH (electrodes therefor G01N27/302, G01N27/36)} - G01N 27/4168: {Oxidation-reduction potential, e.g. for chlorination of water (water analysis G01N33/18)} - B01L 2300/042: Caps; Plugs - B01L 2300/0645: Electrodes - B01L 2300/0681: Filter - B01L 2300/0829: Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates - B01L 2300/161: Control and use of surface tension forces, e.g. hydrophobic, hydrophilic - B01L 2300/165: Specific details about hydrophobic, oleophobic surfaces - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE ## Abstract Various apparatus, systems, and methods for measuring a solution characteristic of a sample comprising microorganisms are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor apparatus is disclosed comprising a sample container comprising a sample chamber configured to receive the sample and a reference sensor component comprising a reference conduit having a reference conduit cavity defined therein. The reference conduit cavity can be at least partially filled with a reference buffer gel, buffer solution, or wicking component. A segment of the reference conduit can extend into the sample chamber. A reference electrode material can be positioned at a proximal end of the wicking component or extend partially into the reference conduit cavity. The sensor apparatus can also comprise an active sensor component having an active electrode in fluid contact with the sample. The sample in the sample chamber can be aerated through an aeration port defined along a surface of the sample container. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A reference sensor component comprising: a container cap removably coupled to a sample container configured to receive a sample; a reference conduit extending from an underside of the container cap, the reference conduit comprising a reference conduit cavity; an aeration port along a surface of the sample container, the aeration port configured to allow air to enter the sample container; an air-permeable membrane covering the aeration port; a wicking component disposed within part of the reference conduit cavity having a wick distal end and a wick proximal end, wherein at least part of the wicking component is configured to be in fluid contact with the sample when the container cap is coupled to the sample container such that at least some of the sample is drawn by the wicking component in a direction of the wick proximal end; and a reference electrode material disposed at the wick proximal end, wherein the reference electrode material is configured to exhibit a substantially stable electrode potential compared to an active electrode in electrical communication with the reference electrode material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The reference sensor component of claim 1, wherein the container cap is made in part of a non-conducting material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The reference sensor component of claim 2, wherein the container cap is made in part of a transparent non-conducting material such that at least part of the wicking component is visible through the container cap. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The reference sensor component of claim 1, wherein the reference electrode material is a cured electrically-conductive ink disposed on the wick proximal end. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The reference sensor component of claim 4, wherein the electrically-conductive ink is silver-silver chloride ink. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The reference sensor component of claim 4, wherein the electrically-conductive ink has been cured for a period of time between about 60 minutes and about 180 minutes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The reference sensor component of claim 4, wherein a volume of the electrically-conductive ink disposed at the wick proximal end is less than about 500 μL. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The reference sensor component of claim 1, wherein the wicking component is made in part of a porous polymeric material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The reference sensor component of claim 1, wherein the wicking component is made in part of natural fibers. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The reference sensor component of claim 1, wherein the wicking component comprises pores sized between about 15 μm to about 150 μm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The reference sensor component of claim 1, wherein the wicking component is treated by a surfactant such that at least a surface of the wicking component is covered by the surfactant, wherein the surfactant is configured to increase a hydrophilicity of the wicking component. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The reference sensor component of claim 1, wherein the wicking component is made in part of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The reference sensor component of claim 1, wherein the reference conduit is tapered and wherein the wicking component is shaped such that the wicking component tapers from the wick proximal end to the wick distal end.