Systems and methods for the detection and quantification of ammonia and ammonium in fluids
AssigneesMayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
InventorsMarylaura Thomas, Leslie Thomas, Erica Forzani
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system with an analyzer device in fluid communication with a sample of a bodily fluid is configured to chemically or electrochemically convert at least a portion of ammonium (NH4+) contained within the bodily fluid into ammonia (NH3) and dispel the converted ammonia (NH3) into a gas sensing chamber. An ammonia (NH3) sensor located within the gas sensing chamber in conjunction with a processor can quantify an amount of ammonia (NH3) present in the gas sensing chamber in relation to the total ammonia of the bodily fluid.
Claims12
A cartridge comprising:
- a distributor layer configured to receive a sample of a bodily fluid comprising ammonium (NH4+);
- an alkaline layer in contact with the distributor layer and configured to convert at least a portion of the ammonium (NH4+) into ammonia (NH3);
- a hydrophobic layer in contact with the alkaline layer and configured to dispel at least a portion of the ammonia (NH3);
- and
- an indicator layer configured to change color in response to an amount of the ammonia (NH3).
An analyzer comprising:
- a cartridge comprising:
- a distributor layer configured to receive a sample of a bodily fluid comprising ammonium (NH4+);
- an alkaline layer in contact with the distributor layer and configured to convert at least a portion of the ammonium (NH4+) into ammonia (NH3);
- a hydrophobic layer in contact with the alkaline layer and configured to dispel the ammonia (NH3);
- and
- an indicator layer configured to change in color in response to a quantity of the ammonia (NH3);
- and
- a sensor comprising:
- at least one light emitting diode configured to illuminate the indicator layer;
- at least one photodiode configured to measure absorbance changes of the indicator layer;
- and
- a processor configured to at least one of:
- quantify the amount of the ammonia (NH3) based on the absorbance changes, identify relative changes in the quantified amount of ammonia (NH3) over time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.