Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A method for quantifying a substrate in a sample liquid by use of a biosensor, the biosensor capable of quantifying the substrate by electrochemically measuring an amount of an electron acceptor that has been reduced by electrons generated in a reaction between the substrate in the sample liquid and an oxidoreductase, the biosensor comprising: an electrically insulating substrate; an electrode system formed on the substrate including a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a third electrode used for detecting a liquid junction; and a reaction layer that is formed over at least the working electrode and the counter electrode of the electrode system and includes the oxidoreductase, the method comprising the steps of: applying a voltage between the counter electrode and the third electrode; supplying the sample liquid to the reaction layer; detecting an electrical change between the counter electrode and the third electrode generated by the supply of the sample liquid to the reaction layer; applying a voltage to the working electrode after the detection using at least the third electrode as a reference; and measuring a current generated between the working electrode and the counter electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of applying a voltage to the working electrode comprises a step of applying a voltage between the working electrode and the counter electrode and the third electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the counter electrode includes a main electrode portion formed in substantially a C-shape in a plane view and an opening formed in the main electrode portion, the working electrode is disposed inside of the counter electrode so as to be electrically insulated from each other, and a lead connected to the working electrode is led from the inside to the outside of the counter electrode through the opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein a peripheral portion of the counter electrode is opened to provide an electrode receiving portion, and the third electrode is disposed within the electrode receiving portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the third electrode is disposed farther from a sample supply port than the working electrode and the counter electrode, so that a sample liquid supplied through the sample supply port reaches the third electrode after reaching the working electrode and the counter electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the third electrode is disposed nearer to a sample supply port than the working electrode, so that a sample liquid supplied through the sample supply port reaches the third electrode before reaching the working electrode and the counter electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the counter electrode includes a main electrode portion formed in substantially a C-shape in a plane view and an opening formed in the main electrode portion, the working electrode is disposed inside of the counter electrode so as to be electrically insulated from each other, a lead connected to the working electrode is led from the inside to the outside of the counter electrode through the opening, and the third electrode is disposed between the counter electrode and the working electrode so as to be electrically insulated from one another.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
181 words
A device for quantifying a substrate in a sample liquid comprising a biosensor and a measuring device to which the biosensor is removably connected, the biosensor capable of quantifying the substrate by electrochemically measuring an amount of an electron acceptor that has been reduced by electrons generated in a reaction between the substrate in the sample liquid and an oxidoreductase, the biosensor comprising: an electrically insulating substrate; an electrode system formed on the substrate including a working electrode, a counter electrode and a third electrode used for detecting a liquid junction; and a reaction layer that is formed over at least the working electrode and the counter electrode of the electrode system and includes the oxidoreductase, the device comprising: means for detecting an electrical change between the counter electrode and the third electrode generated by the supply of the sample liquid to the reaction layer; means for applying a voltage to the working electrode after the detection using at least the third electrode as a reference; and means for measuring a current flowing between the working electrode and the counter electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein the means for applying a voltage to the working electrode comprises means for applying a voltage across the working electrode and the counter electrode and the third electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein the counter electrode includes a main electrode portion formed in substantially a C-shape in a plane view and an opening formed in the main electrode portion, the working electrode is disposed inside of the counter electrode so as to be electrically insulated from each other, and a lead connected to the working electrode is led from the inside to the outside of the counter electrode through the opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein a peripheral portion of the counter electrode is opened to provide an electrode receiving portion, and the third electrode is disposed within the electrode receiving portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device according to claim 11, wherein the third electrode is disposed farther from a sample supply port than the working electrode and the counter electrode, so that a sample liquid supplied through the sample supply port reaches the third electrode after reaching the working electrode and the counter electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 11, wherein the third electrode is disposed nearer to a sample supply port than the working electrode, so that a sample liquid supplied through the sample supply port reaches the third electrode before reaching the working electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
97 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein the counter electrode includes a main electrode portion formed in substantially a C-shape in a plane view and an opening formed in the main electrode portion, the working electrode is disposed inside of the counter electrode so as to be electrically insulated from each other, a lead connected to the working electrode is led from the inside to the outside of the counter electrode through the opening, and the third electrode is disposed between the counter electrode and the working electrode so as to be electrically insulated from one another.