Electrochemical measuring cell having an ancillary electrode

• US 4,624,261 A
• Filed: 09/03/1985
• Issued: 11/25/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dragerwerk AG
• Original Assignee: Dragerwerk AG
• Inventors: Holscher, Uvo
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaplan, G. L.
• Application Number:
  US06/771,995
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 128/635, 128/639, 128/644, 128/670, 204/403, 204/412, 204/415, 204/1 P
• US Class Current: 204/403.06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1477 non-invasive
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/404 Cells with anode, cathode and cell electrolyte on the same side of a permeable membrane which separates them from the sample fluid , e.g. Clark-type oxygen sensors

Abstract

An electrochemical measuring cell is disclosed having a device for sensing an external electrical potential. The device is arranged in the region of the outer surface of the diffusion membrane of the cell. The device can be, for example, in the form of a conductive, gas permeable coating applied to the outer surface of the diffusion membrane.

Claims

1. An electrochemical measuring cell comprising:

an electrolyte;

a measuring electrode disposed in said electrolyte;

a counter electrode also disposed in said electrolyte;

a housing for holding said electrolyte;

a diffusion and sensing member including a diffusion membrane for separating said electrolyte from the ambient and having an outer surface facing away from said electrolyte; and

, a coating applied to said outer surface of said diffusion membrane for sensing an external electrical potential, said coating being electrically conductive and permeable to gas; and

,

electric circuit means mounted on said housing for conducting said external potential away from said coating and making the same accessible for measurement.

2. An electrochemical measuring cell comprising:

an electrolyte;

a measuring electrode disposed in said electrolyte;

a counter electrode also disposed in said electrolyte;

holding means for holding said electrolyte;

a diffusion membrane for separating said electrolyte from the ambient and having an outer surface facing away from said electrolyte, said diffusion membrane being made of an electrically conductive plastic so as to permit the same to sense an external electrical potential.

3. The electrochemical measuring cell of claim 2, said diffusion membrane being made of polypyrrole.

4. An electrochemical measuring cell comprising:

an electrolyte;

a measuring electrode disposed in said electrolyte;

a counter electrode also disposed in said electrolyte;

a housing for holding said electrolyte; and

,

a diffusion and sensing member including a diffusion membrane for separating said electrolyte from the ambient and having an outer surface facing away from said electrolyte; and

, a gas permeable layer applied to said outer surface of said diffusion membrane for sensing an external potential, said layer being a metal layer having a wire mesh made of conductive material embedded therein.

5. An electrochemical measuring cell comprising:

an electrolyte;

a measuring electrode disposed in said electrolyte;

a counter electrode also disposed in said electrolyte;

a housing for holding said electrolyte; and

,

a diffusion and sensing member including a diffusion membrane for separating said electrolyte from the ambient and having an outer surface facing away from said electrolyte; and

, a gas permeable layer applied to said outer surface of said diffusion membrane for sensing an external potential, said layer being a graphite layer with a wire mesh embedded therein.