Controlled activation pH sensor

• US 20090026078A1
• Filed: 07/25/2007
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sierra Medical Technology
• Original Assignee: Sierra Medical Technology
• Inventors: Wolf, Erich H., Custodio, Elmer, Bankert, Charles, Tsukashima, Ross
• Granted Patent: US 8,262,878 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 204/433
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/4035 Combination of a single ion-sensing electrode and a single reference electrode G01N27/406 and G01N27/413 take precedence

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a means of combining and configuring specific hydrophilic and dielectric materials in such a way as to allow an antimony/reference electrode pH sensor to be packaged and stored dry yet become fully hydrated to an activated state after exposure to aqueous liquids. The sensor is packaged and stored dry to maintain component stability and minimize component degradation. When the user removes the sensor from the package and the sensor tip is submerged in a hydration (ion conduction) media or solution, the hydrophilic coating along with the impregnated reference wick, absorb the fluid to create an electrolytic gel inside the reference wick, which activates the pH sensor.

Claims

1. A controlled activation sensor assembly for monitoring pH or other constituents:

a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, said tubular member comprised of an outer tubular member and one or more inner tubular members, said outer tubular member co-linearly or coaxially enclosing one or more inner tubular members, said outer tubular member having a terminal end;

a wick material enclosed within a first inner tubular member, said wick material including a dry matrix of hydroscopic and/or hydrophilic materials;

a reference element enclosed in a proximal position within said wick material and within said first inner tubular member;

an antimony metal segment enclosed within said outer tubular member; and

said sensor becoming activated upon exposing said terminal end to a hydration solution whereby said hydration solution is transported proximally to become retained within a portion of said wick material.

2. The sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein said wick material is selected from the group consisting of fibrous polymeric meshes of polyester, polyimide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS, nylon, delrin, or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polysaccharide, or any combinations thereof.

3. The sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein said wick is a porous material selected from the group consisting of porous ceramic, metallic or polymeric materials.

4. The sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising one or more sodium chloride rods located proximal to said wick and within said inner tubular member.

5. The sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising an expansion plug located proximal to said wick and within said inner tubular member.

6. The sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein said hydration solution consists of an aqueous, another polar solution, or a conduction fluid which may contain sodium chloride, potassium chloride or other conductive ion formation materials.

7. The sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein said wick comprises an electrolyte/water based gel when activated.

8. The sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein said wick comprises a conductive polymer when activated.

9. The sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein said reference element comprises a silver element having a silver chloride coating.

10. The sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising a hygroscopic and/or hydrophilic coating adhered to said distal end.

11. The sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising an electrical and display means which is in communication with the sensor and processes information obtained from said sensor for presenting a pH reading.

12. A sensor assembly for monitoring pH or other constituents:

an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member, said outer tubular member co-linearly or coaxially enclosing an inner tubular member, said outer tubular member having a terminal end;

an antimony metal segment enclosed within said outer tubular member;

a wick material located within said inner tubular member, said wick material impregnated with a dry matrix of hydroscopic and/or hydrophilic materials, said wick material including one or more micro-channels;

a reference element enclosed within said wick material and located in a proximal position;

said sensor becoming activated upon exposing said terminal end to a hydration solution whereby said solution facilitates said solution to proceeds proximally up said wick and one or more micro-channels to become entrained within said wick material; and

said sensor assembly being of a small mass such that it functions to cool efficiently and subsequently condenses humid gases in close proximity to said sensor to form a liquid on said terminal end.

13. The sensor as recited in claim 12, wherein said wick material is selected from the group consisting of fibrous polymeric meshes of polyester, polyimide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS, nylon, delrin, or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polysaccharide,or any combinations thereof.

14. The sensor as recited in claim 12, wherein said wick is a porous material selected from the group consisting of porous ceramic, metallic or polymeric materials.

15. The sensor as recited in claim 12, further comprising one or more sodium chloride rods located proximal to said wick and within said inner tubular member.

16. The sensor as recited in claim 12, further comprising an expansion plug located proximal to said wick and within said inner tubular member.

17. The sensor as recited in claim 12, wherein said hydration solution consists of an aqueous, another polar solution, or a conduction fluid which may contain sodium chloride, potassium chloride or other conductive ion formation materials.

18. The sensor as recited in claim 12, wherein said wick comprises an electrolyte/water based gel when activated.

19. The sensor as recited in claim 12, wherein said wick comprises a conductive polymer when activated.

20. The sensor as recited in claim 12, wherein said reference element comprises a silver element having a silver chloride coating.

21. The sensor as recited in claim 12, further comprising a hygroscopic and/or hydrophilic coating adhered to said distal end.

22. The sensor as recited in claim 12, further comprising an electrical and display means which is in communication with the sensor and processes information obtained from said sensor for presenting a pH reading.

23. A controlled activation sensor kit for monitoring pH or other constituents:

a sensor, said sensor comprising;

an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member, enclosing one or more inner tubular members, said outer tubular member having a terminal end;

a wick material enclosed within a first area, said wick material including a dry matrix of hydroscopic or hydrophilic materials;

a reference element enclosed in a proximal position within said wick material and within said first area;

an antimony metal segment enclosed within a second area; and

a hydration solution stored in a container.