Amperometric gas sensor
AssigneeSTERIS Inc.
InventorsElizabeth H. Schenk, Peter A. Burke, Michael A. Centanni
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosed invention relates to an amperometric gas sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte, comprising: a solid support; and a working electrode in contact with the solid support; wherein the analyte comprises a dopant which when in contact with the solid support increases the electrical conductivity of the solid support. A sterilization process employing the amperometric gas sensor is disclosed.
Claims20
1-48. (canceled)
A method for determining a concentration of a sterilant gas in a vacuum chamber during a sterilization process using an amperometric gas sensor, the amperometric gas sensor comprising a solid support configured for diffusion of the analyte therethrough, and a working electrode in contact with the solid support, wherein prior to being contacted by the analyte the solid support comprises an insulator, and the analyte comprises a dopant which when in contact with the solid support increases the electrical conductivity of the solid support, the method comprising:
- placing the amperometric gas sensor in the vacuum chamber;
- conducting the sterilization process in the vacuum chamber under a vacuum using the sterilant gas;
- and
- determining the concentration of the sterilant gas in the vacuum chamber using the amperometric gas sensor.
The method of claim 44 wherein the sterilant gas flows in the vacuum chamber and contacts the amperometric gas sensor.
The method of claim 44 wherein the sterilant gas is mixed with a carrier gas to form a gaseous mixture, and the gaseous mixture flows in the vacuum chamber and contacts the amperometric sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.