Disposable self-calibratable electrode package
OwnerSteven Enzer, Bruce M. Burgess +2inventors
InventorsSteven Enzer, Bruce M. Burgess, Jack S. Wyman, Ricky Hendershot
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates to solid-state electrode or micro-electrode sensor apparatus for measuring certain characteristics of an aqueous sample such as a body fluid or a blood sample and more particularly to such apparatus which employs a disposable cartridge containing a sensor or a bank of sensors for such characteristics and reagents used to calibrate the sensors.
Claims18
In a system employing a chemistry analysis machine, for measuring a plurality of distinct characteristics of a body fluid sample or a calibration fluid and having means for receiving electrical signals proportional to each of the characteristics, the improvement separate from the analysis machine including:
- a replaceable cartridge of a given shape, having a box-like body adapted to be plugged into the analysis machine and to be thus connected for a single use in electrical and mechanical engagement with the analysis machine and to be disconnected after use for replacement with a fresh cartridge, the cartridge including;
- (a) a fluid flow channel and a plurality of planar ion and gas sensor electrodes in a bank adjacent to the fluid flow channel positioned so as to be contacted by fluid contained in the channel, each electrode being adapted to generate an electrical signal proportional to the respective ion or gas concentration characteristic of the fluid sample,
- (b) reference electrode disposed in a reference solution well which has a reference fluid channel communicating with the fluid flow channel at a point downstream of the sensor so as to provide a stable liquid junction between the reference electrode and the fluid in the fluid flow channel;
- (c) first and second containers, the first container containing a calibration liquid with zero head space, of known chemical characteristics, tonometered with gas, and isotonic with relation to blood and the second container containing a reference solution hypertonic with relation to the blood and the calibration liquid;
- (d) cartridge inlet means adapted to receive a body fluid test sample;
- (e) a reference flow line establishing fluid communication between the container of reference solution and the reference solution well, said well and said reference flow line being separated from the fluid flow channel by said liquid junction;
- and
- (f) means to selectively and repeatedly direct the flow of said tonometered liquid or said body fluid sample over the bank of electrodes, whereby said cartridge is adapted to generate a plurality of electrical signals proportional to the ion or gas concentration of the sample.
A cartridge for blood chemistry analysis comprising:
- first and second supply containers, the first having zero head space and containing a calibration liquid of known chemical characteristics tonometered with gas, and the second containing a reference solution which is hypertonic with respect to blood and said calibration liquid;
- means to receive a blood test sample;
- a bank of micro-electrodes, each adapted to generate an electrical signal proportional to distinct chemical characteristics of said blood test sample;
- and
- a valve associated with the cartridge and adapted to be operated by means external of the cartridge so as to selectively and repeatedly direct the flow of either tonometered liquid or said blood sample over the bank of electrodes, whereby said micro-electrodes are adapted to sequentially generate electrical signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.