Ion selective membranes for use in ion sensing electrodes
AssigneeMedtronic, Inc.
InventorsPatrick T. Cahalan, Allan H. Jevne, Eric J. Fogt
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Abstract
An improved method for producing ion-selective membranes having a desired shape and of a desired plastic, for incorporation in ion-sensing electrodes, and the electrodes incorporating these membranes. This method allows the use of preformed polymeric members having the desired shape to produce ion-selective membranes, allowing simplified production of ion-sensing electrodes, as well as combination ion-sensing and reference electrodes.
Claims21
A method of producing an ion-sensing electrode from a tube of solid swellable plastic having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer wall and a first lumen, comprising the following steps:
- dissolving an ion-selective material in a solvent which is a swelling agent for said solid swellable plastic;
- subsequently soaking at least a portion of said tube in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved;
- after said soaking step drying said tube until said solvent evaporates;
- and
- after said drying step filling the first lumen of said tube with an electrolyte gel,
- sealing the distal end of the first lumen of said tube and inserting a first electrode into the first lumen of said tube.
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of a desired solid swellable plastic, having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of:
- dissolving an ion-selective material in a solvent which is also a swelling agent for said desired solid swellable plastic;
- subsequently soaking a member fabricated of said desired solid swellable plastic and having said desired shape, in said solvent in which said ion selective material has been dissolved;
- and
- subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of silicone rubber, having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of:
- dissolving an ion selective material comprising nonactin in a solvent comprising methylene chloride which is also a swelling agent for silicone rubber;
- subsequently soaking a member fabricated of silicone rubber, having said desired shape, in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved;
- and
- subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of polyurethane, having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of:
- dissolving an ion-selective material comprising valinomycin in a solvent comprising acetone which is also a swelling agent for polyurethane;
- subsequently soaking a member fabricated of polyurethane having said desired shape in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved;
- and
- subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of polyvinylchloride, having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of:
- dissolving an ion-selective material comprising valinomycin in a solvent comprising dipentyl pthalate which is also a swelling agent for polyvinylchloride;
- subsequently soaking member fabricated of polyvinylchloride having said desired shape, in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved;
- and
- subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of silicone rubber having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of:
- dissolving an ion-selective material comprising methyltricapryl ammonium chloride in a solvent comprising xylene which is also a swelling agent for silicone rubber;
- subsequently soaking a member fabricated of silicone rubber having said desired shape, in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved;
- and
- subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of silicone rubber, having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of:
- dissolving an ion-selective material comprising tridodecylamine in a solvent comprising dichlorodifluoromethane which is also a swelling agent for silicone rubber;
- subsequently soaking a member fabricated of silicone rubber, having said desired shape in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved;
- and
- subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
A method of fabricating a membrane of a desired solid swellable plastic, selected for desired ion and having a desired shape, comprising the steps of:
- selecting a member of said solid, swellable plastic, having said desired shape;
- dissolving an ion-selective material selective for said desired ion in a solvent which is a swelling agent for said solid swellable plastic;
- soaking said member in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved until said member has swelled;
- and
- drying said swelled member until said solvent has evaporated and said member has returned to said desired shape.
A method of fabricating an ion sensing electrode from a tube of solid, swellable plastic having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer wall and a first lumen open to said proximal end, comprising the following steps:
- dissolving a material selective for said desired ion in a solvent which is a swelling agent for said solid swellable plastic;
- soaking at least a portion of said tube in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved, until said tube swells;
- drying said swelled tube until said solvent evaporates and said swelled tube returns to its original dimensions;
- and
- after said drying step, filling the first lumen of said tube with an electrolyte gel and inserting a first electrode into the first lumen of said tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.