Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A test means for determining the presence of an ion in an aqueous test sample, the test means comprising a hydrophilic carrier matrix incorporated with finely divided globules of a hydrophobic vehicle, the vehicle containing an ionophore capable of forming a complex with the ion, and a reporter substance capable of interacting with the complex of ionophore and ion to produce a detectable response.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
A test means for determining the presence of an ion in an aqueous test sample, the test means comprising a hydrophilic carrier matrix incorporated with finely divided globules of a hydrophobic vehicle, the vehicle containing an ionophore capable of forming a complex with the ion, and a reporter substance capable of interacting with the complex of ionophore and ion to produce a detectable response.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A test means according to claim 1 characterized in that the hydrophilic carrier matrix is a hydrophilic polymer, preferably gelatine, agarose, poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(propyleneimine), carrageenan or alginic acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A test means according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the hydrophilic carrier matrix additionally comprises paper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A test means according to anyone of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the ionophore is a coronand, a cryptand or a podand, preferably-valinomycin, 4,7,13,16,21-pentaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo [8,8,5] tricosane, 4,7,13,-16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo [8,8,8]hexacosane, 4,7,13,18-tetraoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo [8,5,5]eicosane, 12-crown-4, 15-crown-S, 18-crown-6, dibenzo-18-crown-6, and dicyclohexano-18-crown-6.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A test means according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the hydrophilic carrier matrix is additionally incorporated with Ti0 2 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A test means according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the reporter substance is a compound having the structure in which X is a halogen or pseudohalogen; R is a 2-, 3-,5- and/or 6-position substituent selected from lower and intermediate alkyl, aryl and a fused ring at the 2,3- or 5,6- positions; and n is 0-4.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A test means according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the reporter substance is a compound having the structure in which R' is H or lower alkyl, preferably methyl, R* is H or intermediate alkyl, preferably n-decyl, and X is halogen or pseudohalogen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A test means according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the reporter substance is one capable of producing the appearance of, or change in, fluorescence in the presence of the complex of the ionophore and ion, and preferably is fluorescein or a derivative.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A test device for determining the presence of an ion in an aqueous test sample, the device comprising a elongated support member having an upper substantially flat face, and a test means according to anyone of claims 1 to 8 affixed to the flat face of the support member.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for preparing a test device tor determining the presence of an ion in an aqueous test sample, the method comprising the steps of forming a first mixture of water and a hydrophilic polymer, forming a second mixture of a hydrophobic vehicle, an ionophore capable of forming a complex with the ion, and a reporter substance capable of interacting with the complex of the ionophore and ion to produce a detectable response, combining the first and second mixtures to produce a stable emulsion of finely divided globules of the second mixture in the first mixture, coating the emulsion onto an elongated support member having an upper, substantially flat face, and evaporating the water from the emulsion to produce a hydrophilic carrier matrix incorporated with finely divided globules of the second mixture, the matrix being thereby affixed to the flat face of the support member.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for preparing a test device tor determining the presence of an ion in an aqueous test sample, the method comprising the steps of forming a first mixture of water and a hydrophilic polymer, forming a second mixture of a hydrophobic vehicle, an ionophore capable of forming a complex with the ion, and a reporter substance capable of interacting with the complex of the ionophore and ion to produce a detectable response, combining the first and second mixtures to produce a stable emulsion of finely divided globules of the second mixture in the first mixture, coating the emulsion onto an elongated support member having an upper, substantially flat face, and evaporating the water from the emulsion to produce a hydrophilic carrier matrix incorporated with finely divided globules of the second mixture, the matrix being thereby affixed to the flat face of the support member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method for determining the presence of an ion in an aqueous test sample, the method comprising contacting the test sample with a test means of anyone of claims 1 to 8, or a test device of claim 9, and observing a detectable response.