US5310469A — Biosensor with a membrane containing biologically…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 172 words

A device for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a solution, which comprises: (a) an electrically insulating housing which describes a first aperture, a second aperture, and a passage that extends from the first aperture through the housing to the second aperture and which is impervious to a solution that contains an analyte selectively catalyzed by an enzyme; (b) means for conducting electrical current which extend through the first aperture into the passage and are sealed against the first aperture in a manner that prevents fluid flow; and (c) a membrane located across the passage and welded in place such that the solution must pass from the second aperture through the membrane in order to contact the means for conducting electrical current, said membrane having a substrate including an internal surface which defines a plurality of micropores distributed throughout the substrate; a plurality of functional groups attached to the internal surface of said substrate; and molecules of a biologically active material attached to at least a portion of the functional groups.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 172 words

A device for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a solution, which comprises: (a) an electrically insulating housing which describes a first aperture, a second aperture, and a passage that extends from the first aperture through the housing to the second aperture and which is impervious to a solution that contains an analyte selectively catalyzed by an enzyme; (b) means for conducting electrical current which extend through the first aperture into the passage and are sealed against the first aperture in a manner that prevents fluid flow; and (c) a membrane located across the passage and welded in place such that the solution must pass from the second aperture through the membrane in order to contact the means for conducting electrical current, said membrane having a substrate including an internal surface which defines a plurality of micropores distributed throughout the substrate; a plurality of functional groups attached to the internal surface of said substrate; and molecules of a biologically active material attached to at least a portion of the functional groups.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device of claim 1 wherein the substrate exhibits a diffusion resistance which is less than the diffusion resistance exhibited by said substrate in an uncompressed state, with respect to the analyte which is catalyzed by the protein.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device of claim 1 wherein the density of the substrate of the membrane in, a compressed state is in the range of about 1.25 to about 5.0 times the density of the substrate in an uncompressed state.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 37 words

The device of claim 2 wherein the substrate is compressed after the molecules of the protein are attached to the functional groups and the membrane is welded in place across the passage after the substrate is compressed.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 15 words

The device of claim 1 wherein the substrate is a porous, membrane comprising a polyamide.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

The device of claim 1 wherein the substrate is a porous membrane comprising polyvinylidine difluoride.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 11 words

The device of claim 1 wherein the protein is glucose oxidase.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 10 words

The device of claim 1 wherein the protein is urease.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 11 words

The device of claim 1 wherein the protein is creatinine deiminase.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 155 words

A reusable biosensor device for measuring the concentration of an enzyme-catalyzed reagent in solution, which comprises: (a) an electrically conducting pin having one or more side surfaces, a transmitting surface, and a receiving surface; (b) a nonporous, electrically insulating housing which is impervious to the solution, covers only the side surfaces, and extends beyond the side surfaces so as to define a well that is in fluid communication with the receiving surface; (c) an ionophore gel inside the well which coats the receiving surface; (d) an enzyme membrane containing an immobilized enzyme and located across the well, welded to the housing so that the enzyme membrane, the housing, and the receiving surface completely surround the ionophore gel and so that the solution must pass through the enzyme membrane in order to contact the ionophore gel; and (e) a substantially planar membrane which covers the enzyme membrane and presents a simple flow profile to the solution.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 155 words

A reusable biosensor device for measuring the concentration of an enzyme-catalyzed reagent in solution, which comprises: (a) an electrically conducting pin having one or more side surfaces, a transmitting surface, and a receiving surface; (b) a nonporous, electrically insulating housing which is impervious to the solution, covers only the side surfaces, and extends beyond the side surfaces so as to define a well that is in fluid communication with the receiving surface; (c) an ionophore gel inside the well which coats the receiving surface; (d) an enzyme membrane containing an immobilized enzyme and located across the well, welded to the housing so that the enzyme membrane, the housing, and the receiving surface completely surround the ionophore gel and so that the solution must pass through the enzyme membrane in order to contact the ionophore gel; and (e) a substantially planar membrane which covers the enzyme membrane and presents a simple flow profile to the solution.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 47 words

The device of claim lo wherein the enzyme membrane is in a compressed state such that the density of the enzyme membrane in the compressed state is in the range of about 1.25 to about 5.0 times the density of the enzyme membrane in an uncompressed state.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 32 words

The device of claim 11 wherein the enzyme membrane is ultra-sonically welded to the housing after the immobilized enzyme is attached to the enzyme membrane and after the enzyme membrane is compressed.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device of claim 10 wherein said well contains an electrically conductive organic matrix which coats the receiving surface of the pin.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 21 words

The device of claim 10 wherein a blocking layer extends across the well between the enzyme membrane and the receiving surface.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 46 words

The device of claim 10 wherein the enzyme membrane is formed in the shape of a substantially flat and relatively thin sheet and wherein a relatively larger protecting membrane is welded to the housing and covers the enzyme membrane, trapping the enzyme member against the housing.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 20 words

The device of claim 10 wherein the immobilized enzyme is disposed throughout the enzyme membrane in a substantially uniform distribution.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device of claim 10 wherein the enzyme membrane has a thickness and in that the thickness in a compressed state is in the range of about 0.2 to about 0.8 times the thickness in an uncompressed state.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 11 words

The device of claim 10 wherein the immobilized enzyme is urease.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 12 words

The device of claim 10 wherein the immobilized enzyme is creatinine deiminase.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 119 words

A device for measuring the concentration of an enzyme-catalyzed reagent in a solution, which comprises: (a) an electrically conducting pin having sides and a receiving surface; (b) a thermoplastic polymer molded housing which covers the sides of the pin but does not cover the receiving surface; (c) an enzyme membrane having a compressed substrate having functional groups that are covalently attached to an immobilized enzyme, said enzyme membrane being welded to the housing and contacting the blocking layer, with the membrane, the pin, and the housing completely surrounding the receiving surface, whereby the enzyme-catalyzed reagent must pass through the enzyme membrane in order to contact the receiving surface; and (d) a substantially planar protecting membrane covering the enzyme membrane.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 119 words

A device for measuring the concentration of an enzyme-catalyzed reagent in a solution, which comprises: (a) an electrically conducting pin having sides and a receiving surface; (b) a thermoplastic polymer molded housing which covers the sides of the pin but does not cover the receiving surface; (c) an enzyme membrane having a compressed substrate having functional groups that are covalently attached to an immobilized enzyme, said enzyme membrane being welded to the housing and contacting the blocking layer, with the membrane, the pin, and the housing completely surrounding the receiving surface, whereby the enzyme-catalyzed reagent must pass through the enzyme membrane in order to contact the receiving surface; and (d) a substantially planar protecting membrane covering the enzyme membrane.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 15 words

The device of claim 20 wherein the substrate is a porous membrane comprising polyvinylidine difluoride.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device of claim 20 wherein a blocking layer extends across the receiving surface, between the receiving surface and the enzyme membrane.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 15 words

The device of claim 20 wherein a layer of graphite ink coats the receiving surface.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-05-09	1997-11-08	1998-05-10	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-05-09	2001-11-08	2002-05-10	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-05-09	2005-11-08	2006-05-10	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Biosensor with a membrane containing biologically active material

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