US5567290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Sensor devices
Assignee: University of Manchester
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Filing: 1993-07-23
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Granted: 1996-10-22
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Expires: 2013-07-23
Abstract
Abstract Sensor devices for examining fluid samples having, between the sample under examination and a detector, a membrane made of polyvinyl chloride in un-plasticized form. This membrane material acts as a barrier to paracetamol and sugars but is permeable to hydrogen peroxide and to oxalate, so these species can be determined after passing through the membrane. When they are not present as such in the sample, they may be formed from analytes which are sought (e.g. by enzymic action, which is especially applicable to the determination of glucose, using an oxidase enzyme). The membranes may be made by solvent casting, conveniently to a thickness of 10 to 40 μm, and used in electrolytic systems with a platinum anode. The membrane material can be formed into multi-layer membranes, which may incorporate layers of material to protect it or modify the permeability, or added materials for example enzymes.
Inventors
- 👤 Pankaj M. Vadgama
- 👤 Ian M. Christie
- 👤 Yazid M. Benmakroha
- 👤 Subrayal M. Reddy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:06
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12Q; C12Q1/00; C12Q1/001; C12Q1/002; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/817
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A sensor device comprising means for detecting components present in fluid samples and providing an output representative of the content of said component, comprising a detecting means and a membrane barrier between the detecting means and the sample to be analyzed, characterized in that the membrane barrier is composed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) itself, in un-plasticized form and being selectively permeable to hydrogen peroxide, oxalate and oxalic acid and impermeable to paracetamol.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A sensor device comprising means for detecting components present in fluid samples and providing an output representative of the content of said component, comprising a detecting means and a membrane barrier between the detecting means and the sample to be analyzed, characterized in that the membrane barrier is composed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) itself, in un-plasticized form and being selectively permeable to hydrogen peroxide, oxalate and oxalic acid and impermeable to paracetamol.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sensor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the detecting means comprises an electrolytic sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A sensor device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 which comprises a detecting means in contact with an electrolyte medium which is in contact with a membrane of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) itself, in un-plasticized form, which provides an interface for contact with a sample to be analyzed and interposed between the active electrode of the cell used as detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sensor device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the electrolyte medium is contained in a liquid or gel phase.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A sensor device as claimed in claim 3 wherein an enzyme is placed between the sample to be analyzed and the membrane to convert a component or analyte to be determined in the sample into another compound which passes through the membrane and is then detected and measured by the detecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A sensor device as claimed in claim 5 for detecting a species to which un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride is impermeable, wherein the enzyme is located between the un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride membrane and sample to be analyzed, so that the desired species in the sample under examination first contacts the enzyme and reacts to generate a species which passes through the un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride membrane to the detecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A sensor device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the enzyme is an oxidase, which is used to interact with an oxidizable component to generate hydrogen peroxide--to which un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride is permeable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
A sensor device as claimed in claim 5 for detecting a species to which the un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride is permeable, wherein the enzyme is located within the un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride membrane, so that the desired species in the sample under examination first passes through the un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride membrane and then makes contact with the enzyme and reacts to generate a species to which the detecting means is responsive.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A sensor device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 comprising (1) a detecting means, (2) a membrane of un-plasticized PVC and (3) an electrolyte medium positioned between and in contact with (1) and (2), and with membrane (2) forming an interface with a sample to be analyzed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A sensor device according to claim 9 wherein the detecting means is an active electrode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sensor device according to claim 10 wherein the active electrode is an anode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sensor device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the electrolyte medium is contained in an aqueous-based liquid or gel phase.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polyvinyl chloride has a molecular weight in the range 10,000 to 200,000.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polyvinyl chloride membrane has a thickness in the range 10 to 40 μm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polyvinyl chloride membrane is made by solution casting.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the active electrode of the detecting means is made of platinum.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane of un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride is used as an inner membrane in conjunction with one or more outer layers of material which protects the sensor assembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method for determining a component in a fluid sample, which comprises using a sensor device as claimed in claim 1.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
Method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the component to be determined is hydrogen peroxide which is determined either directly by being present as such or indirectly by being generated from another component or analyte.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the component to be determined is oxalate and which is determined either directly as such or as another compound generated therefrom.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
Method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the means for detecting the oxalate which has passed through the un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride membrane is either an enzymic one or one which detects and measures the oxalate directly by electrolytic action.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method as claimed in claim 18, employed for the study of biological fluids.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
A multiple-layer membrane product, comprising at least one membrane layer composed of un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride which is selectively permeable to hydrogen peroxide, oxalate and oxalic acid and impermeable to paracetamol and an enzyme for converting one analyte component into another which is more readily determined at a detector means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
A multiple-layer membrane product, comprising at least one membrane layer composed of un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride which is selectively permeable to hydrogen peroxide, oxalate and oxalic acid and impermeable to paracetamol and an enzyme for converting one analyte component into another which is more readily determined at a detector means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
A membrane according to claim 23 wherein the enzyme is an oxidase.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-22 | 2000-04-22 | 2000-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-22 | 2004-04-22 | 2004-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-22 | 2008-04-22 | 2008-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |