SOLUTE CONCENTRATION MEASUREMENT DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20140137641A1
• Filed: 01/28/2014
• Published: 05/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tandem Diabetes Care Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tandem Diabetes Care Incorporated
• Inventors: BROWN, DAVID
• Granted Patent: US 9,400,241 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/64.47
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/4055 by solubility techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 13/04 Investigating osmotic effects
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/4061 Solvent extraction

Abstract

A solute concentration measurement device is disclosed. The device may comprise a filter membrane, an exchange chamber, a sensing chamber, a separator, and a sensor. The device may be configured to be placed in fluid communication with a sample solution containing a solute and a solvent. The filter membrane may provide selective fluid communication between the solution and the exchange chamber. The separator may separate the exchange chamber from the sensing chamber and cause a change in a condition of the sensing chamber corresponding to a change of a condition of the exchange chamber. The sensor may sense the condition pertaining to the sensing chamber and calculate the concentration of the sample solution corresponding to this change.

Claims

1. A method comprising, in combination providing:

an exchange chamber;

a sensing chamber containing a compressible fluid;

a filter membrane configured to provide selective fluid communication between a sample solution and the exchange chamber when the filter membrane is in fluid communication with the sample solution, the filter membrane substantially impermeable to a solute contained in the exchange chamber;

a movable separator configured to separate the exchange chamber from the sensing chamber; and

a pressure sensor adapted to measure a pressure of the compressible fluid in the sensing chamber.

2. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

providing a calibration sample of known concentration for determining an amount of solute in the exchange chamber.

3. A method comprising:

placing a solute concentration measurement device comprising a housing having disposed therein at least an exchange chamber, a sensing chamber containing a compressible fluid and having a pressure sensor adapted to measure a pressure of the compressible fluid, a filter membrane substantially impermeable to a solute in the exchange chamber and a movable separator disposed between the exchange chamber and the sensing chamber into fluid communication with a sample solution;

measuring the pressure of the compressible fluid in the sensing chamber after allowing a solute concentration in the exchange chamber to equilibrate with a solute concentration in the sample solution; and

using the measured pressure in the sensing chamber to calculate the concentration of the solute in the sample solution.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

determining an amount of the solute in the exchange chamber prior to placing the solute concentration measurement device into fluid communication with the sample solution.