US 4,946,562 AGranted

Apparatus and methods for sensing fluid components

AssigneeMedTest Systems, Inc.

InventorVinodhini Guruswamy

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Abstract

Provided herein is a method for accurate, reproducible analytical solution evaluation eliminating the need for a reference sensor by determining the activity of selected species employing species specific sensors and species combination sensors in conjunction with Nernst-type equations. Also provided are sensor structures for elimination of edge effects to signals thereby yielding accurate, reproducible measurements, and a cartridge structure adapted to incorporate an array of the new sensors for employment of the new method where the cartridge is particularly adapted for miniaturization, maintaining a fixed volume of solution for analysis and providing an anaerobic testing environment. Lastly, a compact instrument embodying miniaturization especially adapted for field use and use of the cartridge is provided herein.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method that is capable of single point calibration measurement of at least first and second dissimilar species in solution employing only ion specific sensors, the ion specific sensors being equal to the number of species plus one where in a multi-component solution containing at least two species to be measured a first sensor is sensitive to the first and second species, a second sensor is sensitive to the first species and a third sensor is sensitive to the second species, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) contacting the sensors with a solution containing the first and second species,
(b) obtaining first and second signals, said first signal being the difference between said first and second sensors and said second signal being the difference between said first and third sensors,
(c) conveying the first and second signals to a signal processor,
(d) contacting the sensors with a second solution containing known quantities of the first and second species and obtaining third and fourth signals from the first and second sensors and said first and third sensors, respectively,
(e) conveying the third and fourth signals to a signal processor,
(f) establishing algebraic constants from said third and fourth signals,
(g) inputting the constants into a calculating device to determine the concentration of said first and second species.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/228,020Filed 4 Aug 1988 · continuation
Priority: 29 Jan 1987
Granted: 7 Aug 1990
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G01N 27/4163
Systems: checking the operation of, or calibrating, the measuring apparatus
G01N 27/4165
Checking the operation of, or calibrating, the measuring apparatus: for pH meters
G01N 27/27
By investigating electrochemical variables; by using electrolysis or electrophoresis: association of two or more measuring systems or cells, each…
G01N 27/4166
Systems: measuring a particular property of an electrolyte