Methods for detecting dehydration of a biomedical hydrogel
First Claim
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1. A visual method for detecting the state of dehydration of a polymeric gel disposed on the skin-contacting surface of a biomedical device comprising the steps of:
- selecting a weakly acidic or weakly basic, pH sensitive colored indicator;
preparing the gel by incorporating the selected indicator therein to produce a gel having a first color;
applying the first color gel to a skin-contacting surface of a biomedical device; and
shortly before the device is to be used, visually comparing the color of the gel just before used with its first color to determine the relative state of dehydration of the gel.
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Abstract
A visual (as opposed to mechanical or electronic) method for detecting the state of dehydration (or hydration) of a biomedical hydrogel is disclosed. The method contemplates incorporating a pH sensitive indicator into the hydrogel as it is prepared and applying the hydrogel to the skin-contacting surface of a biomedical device such as an electrode. Shortly before the biomedical device is to be used, the color of the hydrogel on the device is visually compared with its freshly-prepared color to determine the approximate state of dehydration of the gel.
69 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A visual method for detecting the state of dehydration of a polymeric gel disposed on the skin-contacting surface of a biomedical device comprising the steps of:
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selecting a weakly acidic or weakly basic, pH sensitive colored indicator; preparing the gel by incorporating the selected indicator therein to produce a gel having a first color; applying the first color gel to a skin-contacting surface of a biomedical device; and shortly before the device is to be used, visually comparing the color of the gel just before used with its first color to determine the relative state of dehydration of the gel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A visual method for detecting the state of dehydration of a conductive polymeric hydrogel disposed on the skin-contacting surface of a biomedical device comprising the steps of:
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selecting a weakly acidic or weakly basic pH sensitive colored indicator selected from the group consisting of FD&
C Blue #1, FD&
C Blue #2, D&
C Green #3, D&
C Green #8 or D&
C Red #27;preparing the hydrogel by incorporating the selected indicator therein thereby producing a hydrogel having a first color; applying the first color hydrogel to a skin-contacting surface of the biomedical device; and shortly before the device is to be used, visually comparing the color of the hydrogel just before use with its first color to determine the relative state of dehydration of the gel. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification