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US 2012/0067744 A1Published application
Impurity Detection Device and Method
OwnerDavid Robert Vincentinventor
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OwnerDavid Robert Vincentinventor
Estimating the term…
There is provided a sample preparation device and method for preparing a sample of liquid for detection of impurities. First (40) and second (38) electrodes are provided, located for immersion in a liquid under test. A semipermeable membrane (42) is positioned to protect the first electrode (40) from a body of liquid under test (32). The semipermeable membrane allows the liquid under test to pass therethrough to reach the first electrode, while preventing solids carried in the liquid from reaching the first electrode, the first electrode being positioned to affect the liquid under test in the vicinity of a sensor (36). Particular embodiments feature a hydrophilic membrane to protect the electrodes from suspended solids in the sample, a thin electrode assembly to achieve a faster response and the addition of a heater for temperature control to achieve consistent detection conditions and improved anti-fouling properties.
-4. (canceled)
An integrated element according to claim 24 wherein the integrated element further comprises a heater element (56) located between one of the sides of the substrate and the corresponding electrode, the heater element being insulated (76) from the corresponding electrode.
An integrated element according to claim 24 wherein the electrodes and the heater element are formed by deposition of respective conductive layers onto the substrate.
An integrated element according to claim 24 wherein a gas volume (48) is provided between the first electrode (40) and the sensor (36).
An integrated element according to claim 24, wherein the substrate comprises physical barrier (52) between the first and second electrodes.
An integrated element according to claim 24 further comprising a barrier (50) around the first electrode, for restricting the movement of the liquid under test.
An integrated element according to claim 24, further comprising a second heater (100) for preventing condensation of vapour generated from the liquid under test.
An integrated element according to claim 24 further comprising an ion sensitive electrode as the sensor.
An integrated element according to claim 24 further comprising a selective gas detector as the sensor.
An integrated element according to claim 24 wherein the semipermeable membrane (42) is hydrophilic, at least on the side which is directed away from the sample volume.
An integrated element according to claim 24, comprising means for measuring and controlling at least one of the following characteristics of the liquid under test in the region of the first electrode:
An integrated element according to claim 24 further comprising an outer housing (62) to contain the electrodes, substrate, heater, membrane and sensor.
A method of preparing a sample of liquid for detection of impurities, comprising the steps of:
An integrated element comprising:
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.