← Back to Patent Explorer
US5909114A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Coulometric analysis method and a device therefor

Assignee: Nakano Vinegar Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1997-10-23
•
Granted: 1999-06-01
•
Expires: 2017-10-23
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract The present invention provides a rapid coulometric analysis for the quantitative determination of a sample substance with high reproducibility without any application of voltage etc. from the outside, as well as a galvanic cell and a device for use in said coulometric analysis. According to the present invention, a wide variety of components can be analyzed by selection of electroactive substance introduced into the galvanic cell. The present invention enables a simple and easy analysis for food components such as glutamic acid, ascorbic acid, etc., water quality such as COD, etc.

Inventors

  • 👤 Shunichi Uchiyama
  • 👤 Takeshi Sato
  • 👤 Hirofumi Akano
  • 👤 Yoshiya Kawamura

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 16:19
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/416; G01N27/42; G01N27/423; G01N33/00; G01N33/18; G01N33/1806

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim 104 words
An apparatus for coulometric analysis for the quantitative determination of a substance in a sample comprising: a first electrode containing at least a mediator, wherein said mediator is capable of reacting with said substance to produce a first electroactive species; a second electrode containing a second electroactive species, wherein said first electroactive species and said second electroactive species have an electrochemical potential difference; an ion-permeable membrane situated between said first and said second electrodes; and means for measuring an electrical quantity generated by said electrochemical potential difference without application of an external power source, whereby said electrical quantity is used to quantify said substance.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 104 words
An apparatus for coulometric analysis for the quantitative determination of a substance in a sample comprising: a first electrode containing at least a mediator, wherein said mediator is capable of reacting with said substance to produce a first electroactive species; a second electrode containing a second electroactive species, wherein said first electroactive species and said second electroactive species have an electrochemical potential difference; an ion-permeable membrane situated between said first and said second electrodes; and means for measuring an electrical quantity generated by said electrochemical potential difference without application of an external power source, whereby said electrical quantity is used to quantify said substance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 40 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first electroactive species oxidizes at a first electrochemical potential, said second electroactive species reduces at a second electrochemical potential, and wherein said first electrochemical potential is lower than said second electrochemical potential.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first electroactive species undergoes oxidation at a low potential and said second electroactive species is reduced at a high potential.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode undergoes oxidation at a high potential and the second substance is reduced at a low potential.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 118 words
A coulometric analyzer for use in combination with the apparatus according to claim 1 comprising: (a) a cutout part to receive the apparatus; (b) a pair of terminals exposed on said cutout part capable of coming into contact respectively with a pair of electrode terminals of said apparatus; (c) a current integration means being connected to both of the terminals of part (b); (d) an indication part; (e) an analysis item selection part; (f) a start button allowing said electric current integration means to initiate current integration; and (g) an arithmetical means for converting the resulting integrated current quantity into an amount of sample substance and communicating with said indication part to indicate the amount of sample substance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first electrode also contains an electrolyte selected from the group consisting of a phosphate buffer, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, potassium chloride, and solutions thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 40 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mediator is selected from the group consisting of 5-methylphenazinium methyl sulfate, 1-methoxy-5-methyl-phenazinium methyl sulfate, 9-dimethylaminobenzo (α) phenoxadine-7-ium chloride, 3,7-bis(dimethylamino)phenothiazine-5-ium chloride, hexacyanoferrate (III) ion, Vitamin K 3 , meldola blue and salts thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 30 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second electroactive species is selected from the group consisting of hexacyanoferrate (III) ion, hexacyanoferrate (II) ion, and permanganate ion, and salts thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 35 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the substance is glutamic acid, and the mediator is glutamate dehydrogenase, and wherein glutamic acid reacts with glutamate dehydrogenase to produce the first electroactive species, which is NADH.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the substance is ascorbic acid.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 93 words
An apparatus for coulometric analysis for the quantitative determination of a substance in a sample comprising: a first electrode containing at least a mediator, wherein said mediator is capable of reacting with said substance to produce a first electroactive species; a second electrode containing a second electroactive species; an ion-permeable membrane situated between said first and said second electrodes; and means for measuring an electrical quantity generated by at least one self-driven reaction between said first electroactive species and said second electroactive species, whereby said electrical quantity is used to quantify said substance.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 93 words
An apparatus for coulometric analysis for the quantitative determination of a substance in a sample comprising: a first electrode containing at least a mediator, wherein said mediator is capable of reacting with said substance to produce a first electroactive species; a second electrode containing a second electroactive species; an ion-permeable membrane situated between said first and said second electrodes; and means for measuring an electrical quantity generated by at least one self-driven reaction between said first electroactive species and said second electroactive species, whereby said electrical quantity is used to quantify said substance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 40 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first electroactive species oxidizes at a first electrochemical potential, said second electroactive species reduces at a second electrochemical potential and wherein said first electrochemical potential is lower than said second electrochemical potential.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first electroactive species undergoes oxidation at a low potential and said second electroactive species is reduced at a high potential.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first electrode undergoes oxidation at a high potential and the second substance is reduced at a low potential.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 118 words
A coulometric analyzer for use in combination with the apparatus according to claim 11 comprising: (a) a cutout part to receive the apparatus; (b) a pair of terminals exposed on said cutout part capable of coming into contact respectively with a pair of electrode terminals of said apparatus; (c) a current integration means being connected to both of the terminals of part (b); (d) an indication part; (e) an analysis item selection part; (f) a start button allowing said electric current integration means to initiate current integration; and (g) an arithmetical means for converting the resulting integrated current quantity into an amount of sample substance and communicating with said indication part to indicate the amount of sample substance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first electrode also contains an electrolyte selected from the group consisting of a phosphate buffer, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, potassium chloride, and solutions thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 39 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said mediator is selected from the group consisting of 5-methylphenazinium methyl sulfate, 1-methoxy-5-methyl-phenazinium methyl sulfate, 9-dimethylaminobenzo (α) phenoxadine-7-ium chloride, 3,7-bis(dimethylamino)phenothiazine-5-ium chloride, hexacyanoferrate (III) ion, Vitamin K 3 meldola blue and salts thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 30 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said second electroactive species is selected from the group consisting of hexacyanoferrate (III) ion, hexacyanoferrate (II) ion, and permanganate ion, and salts thereof.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 123 words
An apparatus for coulometric analysis for the quantitative determination of an aqueous substance in a sample comprising: a first electrode having a hydrophilic and conductive material that is impregnated with at least a mediator, wherein said mediator is capable of reacting with said sample to produce a first electroactive species; a second electrode having a hydrophilic and conductive material that is impregnated with a second electroactive species, wherein said first electroactive species and said second electroactive species have an electrochemical potential difference; an ion-permeable membrane situated between said first and said second electrodes; and means for measuring an electrical quantity generated by said electrochemical potential difference without application of an external power source, whereby said electrical quantity is used to quantify said substance.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 123 words
An apparatus for coulometric analysis for the quantitative determination of an aqueous substance in a sample comprising: a first electrode having a hydrophilic and conductive material that is impregnated with at least a mediator, wherein said mediator is capable of reacting with said sample to produce a first electroactive species; a second electrode having a hydrophilic and conductive material that is impregnated with a second electroactive species, wherein said first electroactive species and said second electroactive species have an electrochemical potential difference; an ion-permeable membrane situated between said first and said second electrodes; and means for measuring an electrical quantity generated by said electrochemical potential difference without application of an external power source, whereby said electrical quantity is used to quantify said substance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 39 words
The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the mediator is selected from the group consisting of 5-methylphenadinium methyl sulfate, 1-methoxy-5-methyl-phenazinium methyl sulfate, 9-dimethylaminobenzo (α) phenoxadine-7-ium chloride, 3,7-bis(dimethylamino)phenothiazine-5-ium chloride, hexacyanoferrate (III), Vitamin K 3 , meldola blue and salts thereof.
Claim 24
Independent Claim 27 words
The apparatus according to 20, wherein said second electroactive species is selected from the group consisting of hexacyanoferrate (III) ion, hexacyanoferrate (II), permanganate ion, and salts thereof.
Claim 25
Independent Claim 27 words
The apparatus according to 20, wherein said second electroactive species is selected from the group consisting of hexacyanoferrate (III) ion, hexacyanoferrate (II), permanganate ion, and salts thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 40 words
The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said first electroactive species oxidizes at a first electrochemical potential, said second electroactive species reduces at a second electrochemical potential and wherein said first electrochemical potential is lower than said second electrochemical potential.
Claim 27
Independent Claim 107 words
An apparatus for coulometric analysis for the quantitative determination of an aqueous non-electroactive substance in a sample comprising: a first electrode containing a first aqueous solution including at least the sample and a mediator, wherein said mediator is capable of reacting with said non-electroactive sample to produce a first electroactive species; a second electrode containing a second electroactive species; an ion-permeable membrane situated between said first and said second electrodes; and means for measuring an electrical quantity generated by a potential difference between said first and said second electroactive species without application of an external power source, whereby said electrical quantity is used to quantify said substance.
Claim 28
Independent Claim 107 words
An apparatus for coulometric analysis for the quantitative determination of an aqueous non-electroactive substance in a sample comprising: a first electrode containing a first aqueous solution including at least the sample and a mediator, wherein said mediator is capable of reacting with said non-electroactive sample to produce a first electroactive species; a second electrode containing a second electroactive species; an ion-permeable membrane situated between said first and said second electrodes; and means for measuring an electrical quantity generated by a potential difference between said first and said second electroactive species without application of an external power source, whereby said electrical quantity is used to quantify said substance.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 36 words
The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said first electrode comprises a hydrophilic and conductive material impregnated with said mediator; and said second electrode comprises a hydrophilic and conductive material impregnated with said second electroactive species.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 44 words
The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said hydrophilic and conductive material of said first electrode directly contacts a first side of said ion-permeable membrane; and said hydrophilic and conductive material of said second electrode directly contacts a second side of said ion-permeable membrane.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 48 words
The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the hydrophilic and conductive material of said first electrode is selected from the group consisting of carbon and conductive metals; and said hydrophilic and conductive material of said second electrode is selected from the group consisting of carbon and conductive metals.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 39 words
The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the mediator is selected from the group consisting of 5-methylphenadinium methyl sulfate, 1-methoxy-5-methyl-phenazinium methyl sulfate, 9-dimethylaminobenzo (α) phenoxadine-7-ium chloride, 3,7-bis(dimethylamino) phenothiazine-5-ium chloride, hexacyanoferrate (III), Vitamin K 3 meldola blue and salts thereof.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 29 words
The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said second electroactive species is selected from the group consisting of hexacyanoferrate (III) ion, hexacyanoferrate (II) ion, permanganate ion and salts thereof.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2002-05-31 2002-11-30 2003-06-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2006-05-31 2006-11-30 2007-06-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2010-05-31 2010-11-30 2011-06-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag