Method for measuring a characteristic in a sample fluid
First Claim
1. A method for measuring a characteristic which is a function of the concentration of one or more chemical species in a sample fluid, by using a measuring device comprisinga sensor having a sensing surface part, anda chamber adapted to contain a conditioning fluid, the chamber being partly defined by a first wall part adapted to allow the sensor to pass through it and establish a seal around the sensor when the sensor traverses the first wall part, the sensor and the chamber being movable relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the first wall part from a position where the sensing surface part of the sensor is inside the chamber to a position where it is outside the chamber,the method comprisingexposing the sensing surface part of the sensor to a conditioning fluid in the chamber,moving the sensor and the chamber relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the first wall part and position it outside the chamber,exposing the sensing surface part of the sensor to a sample fluid,deriving the characteristic on the basis of a response generated by the sensor when the sensing surface part of the sensor is exposed to the sample fluid, and, optionally, a response generated by the sensor when the sensing surface part of the sensor is exposed to the conditioning fluid, anddiscarding the measuring device after one measurement of the characteristic.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring a characteristic which is a function of the concentration of one or more chemical species in a sample fluid, examples being the concentration of sodium ion or potassium ion in blood, makes use of a discardable or disposable measuring device comprising one or more sensors, an example of a relevant type of sensor being a potentiometric electrode, one or more conditioning (e.g. calibration) fluid chambers and, optionally, a sample fluid chamber, the sensor(s) being movable relative to the chamber(s), or vice versa, so as permit conditioning of the sensor(s) in a conditioning fluid chamber and exposure of a sensing surface part of the sensor(s) to a sample fluid.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method for measuring a characteristic which is a function of the concentration of one or more chemical species in a sample fluid, by using a measuring device comprising
a sensor having a sensing surface part, and a chamber adapted to contain a conditioning fluid, the chamber being partly defined by a first wall part adapted to allow the sensor to pass through it and establish a seal around the sensor when the sensor traverses the first wall part, the sensor and the chamber being movable relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the first wall part from a position where the sensing surface part of the sensor is inside the chamber to a position where it is outside the chamber, the method comprising exposing the sensing surface part of the sensor to a conditioning fluid in the chamber, moving the sensor and the chamber relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the first wall part and position it outside the chamber, exposing the sensing surface part of the sensor to a sample fluid, deriving the characteristic on the basis of a response generated by the sensor when the sensing surface part of the sensor is exposed to the sample fluid, and, optionally, a response generated by the sensor when the sensing surface part of the sensor is exposed to the conditioning fluid, and discarding the measuring device after one measurement of the characteristic.
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2. A method for measuring a characteristic which is a function of the concentration of one or more chemical species in a sample fluid, by using a measuring device comprising
a sensor having a sensing surface part, and a chamber adapted to contain a conditioning fluid, the chamber being partly defined by a first wall part adapted to allow the sensor to pass through it and establish a seal around the sensor when the sensor traverses the first wall part, the sensor and the chamber being movable relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the first wall part from a position where the sensing surface part of the sensor is outside the chamber to a position where it is inside the chamber, the method comprising exposing the sensing surface part of the sensor to a sample fluid, moving the sensor and the chamber relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the first wall part and position it inside the chamber, exposing the sensing surface part of the sensor to a conditioning fluid in the chamber deriving the characteristic on the basis of a response generated by the sensor when the sensing surface part of the sensor is exposed to the sample fluid, and a response generated by the sensor when the sensing surface part of the sensor is exposed to the conditioning fluid, and discarding the measuring device after one measurement of the characteristic.
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3. A method for measuring a characteristic which is a function of the concentration of one or more chemical species in a sample fluid, by using a measuring device comprising
a sensor having a sensing surface part, and a chamber adapted to contain a conditioning fluid, the chamber being partly defined by a first wall part adapted to allow the sensor to pass through it and establish a seal around the sensor when the sensor traverses the first wall part, the sensor and the chamber being movable relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the first wall part from a position where the sensing surface part of the sensor is inside the chamber to a position where it is outside the chamber, the method comprising exposing the sensing surface part of the sensor to a conditioning fluid in the chamber, moving the sensor and the chamber relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the first wall part and position it outside the chamber, exposing the sensing surface part of the sensor to a sample fluid, deriving the characteristic on the basis of a response generated by the sensor when the sensing surface part of the sensor is exposed to the sample fluid, and, optionally, a response generated by the sensor when the sensing surface part of the sensor is exposed to the conditioning fluid, and discarding the measuring device after more than one measurement of the characteristic, the discardment taking place before the conditioning fluid is no longer capable of properly exerting its conditioning function.
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4. A method for measuring a characteristic which is a function of the concentration of one or more chemical species in a sample fluid, by using a measuring device comprising
a sensor having a sensing surface part, and a chamber adapted to contain a conditioning fluid, the chamber being partly defined by a first wall part adapted to allow the sensor to pass through it and establish a seal around the sensor when the sensor traverses the first wall part, the sensor and the chamber being movable relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the first wall part from a position where the sensing surface part of the sensor is outside the chamber to a position where it is inside the chamber. the method comprising exposing the sensing surface part of the sensor to a sample fluid, moving the sensor and the chamber relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the first wall part and position it inside the chamber, exposing the sensing surface part of the sensor to a conditioning fluid in the chamber deriving the characteristic on the basis of a response generated by the sensor when the sensing surface part of the sensor is exposed to the sample fluid, and a response generated by the sensor when the sensing surface part of the sensor is exposed to the conditioning fluid, and discarding the measuring device after more than one measurement of the characteristic, the discardment taking place before the conditioning fluid is no longer capable of properly exerting its conditioning function.
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6. A method for measuring a characteristic which is a function of the concentration of one or more chemical species in a sample fluid, by using a measuring device comprising
a sensor having a sensing surface part, a chamber adapted to contain a portion of conditioning fluid, the chamber being partly defined by a first wall part adapted to allow the sensor to pass through it and establish a seal around the sensor when the sensor traverses the first wall part, the sensor and the chamber being movable relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the first wall part from a position where the sensing surface part of the sensor is inside the chamber to a position where it is outside the chamber, and a store of conditioning fluid adapted for release of conditioning fluid into the conditioning fluid chamber, the method comprising exposing the sensing surface part of the sensor to a conditioning fluid in the chamber, moving the sensor and the chamber relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the first wall part and position it outside the chamber, exposing the sensing surface part of the sensor to a sample fluid, deriving the characteristic on the basis of a response generated by the sensor when the sensing surface part of the sensor is exposed to the sample fluid, and, optionally, a response generated by the sensor when the sensing surface part of the sensor is exposed to the conditioning fluid, replacing the conditioning fluid in the chamber with a fresh portion of conditioning fluid from said store after each measurement of the characteristic, and discarding the measuring device before or when the store of conditioning fluid has been consumed.
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7. A method for measuring a characteristic which is a function of the concentration of one or more chemical species in a sample fluid, by using a measuring device comprising
a sensor having a sensing surface part, a chamber adapted to contain a portion of conditioning fluid, the chamber being partly defined by a first wall part adapted to allow the sensor to pass through it and establish a seal around the sensor when the sensor traverses the first wall part, the sensor and the chamber being movable relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the first wall part from a position where the sensing surface part of the sensor is outside the chamber to a position where it is inside the chamber, and store of conditioning fluid adapted for release of conditioning fluid into the conditioning fluid chamber, the method comprising exposing the sensing surface part of the sensor to a sample fluid, moving the sensor and the chamber relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the first wall part and position it inside the chamber, exposing the sensing surface part of the sensor to a conditioning fluid in the chamber deriving the characteristic on the basis of a response generated by the sensor when the sensing surface part of the sensor is exposed to the sample fluid, and a second response generated by the sensor when the sensing surface part of the sensor is exposed to the conditioning fluid, replacing the conditioning fluid in the chamber with a fresh portion of conditioning fluid from said store after each measurement of the characteristic, and discarding the measuring device before or when the store of conditioning fluid has been consumed.
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20. A method for measuring a characteristic which is a function of the concentration of one or more chemical species in a sample fluid, by using a measuring device comprising
a sensor having a sensing surface part, the sensing surface part requiring no exposure to a conditioning fluid, and a sample fluid chamber adapted to contain the sample fluid containing the chemical species, the sample fluid chamber having inlet means for introducing the sample fluid into the sample fluid chamber and being partly defined by a wall part adapted to allow the sensor to pass through it and establish a seal around the sensor when the sensor traverses the wall part, the sensor and the sample fluid chamber being movable relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the wall part from a position where the sensing surface part of the sensor is outside the sample fluid chamber to a position where it is inside the sample fluid chamber, the method comprising introducing a sample fluid into the sample fluid chamber, moving the sensor and the sample fluid chamber relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the wall part, thereby positioning it inside the chamber and exposing it to the sample fluid, deriving the characteristic on the basis of a response generated by the sensor when the sensing surface part of the sensor is exposed to the sample fluid, and discarding the measuring device after one measurement of the characteristic.
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24. An analysis system for measuring a characteristic which is a function of the concentration of one or more chemical species in a sample fluid, comprising
a discardable measuring device which comprises a sensor from whose response the characteristic can be derived, and comprising a sensing surface part and sensor response output means, and a sample fluid chamber adapted to contain a sample fluid containing the chemical species, the sample fluid chamber having inlet means for introducing the sample fluid into the sample fluid chamber, and being partly defined by a wall part, the sensor and the sample fluid chamber being movable relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the wall part from a position where the sensing surface part of the sensor is outside the sample fluid chamber to a position where it is inside the sample fluid chamber, or vice versa, and an analyzer adapted to removably accommodate the measuring device and provided with means for bringing about movement of the sensor and the sample fluid chamber relative to each other when the measuring device is accommodated in the analyzer, sensor response transmission means, and means for registering the response generated by the sensor, said sensor response transmission means facilitating communication between the sensor response output means of the sensor and the sensor response registering means of the analyzer.
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27. A discardable measuring device for measuring a characteristic which is a function of the concentration of one or more chemical species in a sample fluid, comprising
a sensor from whose response the characteristic can be derived, and comprising a sensing surface part, and a chamber adapted to contain a conditioning fluid, the chamber having a wall part which initially constitutes an intact boundary between the inside and the outside of the chamber, the wall part being rupturable by the sensor and adapted to allow the sensor to pass through it and establish a seal around the sensor when the sensor traverses the wall part, the sensor and the chamber being movable relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the wall part from a position where the sensing surface part of the sensor is inside the chamber to a position in which it is outside the chamber.
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32. A discardable measuring device for measuring a characteristic which is a function of the concentration of one or more chemical species in a sample fluid, comprising
a sensor from whose response the characteristic can be derived, and comprising a sensing surface part, a chamber adapted to contain a portion of conditioning fluid, the chamber being partly defined by a wall part adapted to allow the sensor to pass through it and establish a seal around the sensor when the sensor traverses the wall part, the sensor and the chamber being movable relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the wall part from a position where the sensing surface part of the sensor is inside the chamber to a position where it is outside the chamber, or vice versa, and a store of conditioning fluid in a closed and rupturable pack, the packaging material of the pack being substantially gas-tight when the fluid is a gas and liquid, and gas.tight when the fluid is a liquid, the pack being arranged so that the conditioning fluid will be discharged into the conditioning fluid chamber upon rupture of the pack.
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37. A discardable measuring device for measuring a characteristic which is a function of one or more chemical species in a sample fluid, comprising
a sensor from whose response the characteristic can be derived, and comprising a sensing surface part, and sample fluid chamber adapted to contain a sample fluid containing the chemical species, the sample fluid chamber having inlet means for introducing the sample fluid into the sample fluid chamber and being partly defined by a wall part, the sensor and the sample fluid chamber being movable relative to each other so as to transfer the sensing surface part of the sensor through the wall part from a position where the sensing surface part of the sensor is outside the sample fluid chamber to a position where it is inside the sample fluid chamber, the sensing surface part of the sensor initially being positioned outside the sample fluid chamber in a dry condition.
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41. A discardable measuring device for measuring the individual concentrations of a plurality of chemical species in a sample fluid, comprising
a plurality of sensors, of types requiring conditioning and/or of types not requiring conditioning, each of which is responsive to an individual chemical species and comprises a sensing surface part adapted to be exposed to the sample fluid, a sample fluid chamber adapted to contain the sample fluid, the sample fluid chamber having inlet means for introducing the sample fluid into the sample fluid chamber and being partly defined by a first wall part, said first wall part being adapted to allow each sensor to pass through it and establish a seal around each sensor when said sensor traverses the first wall part, each sensor being movable relative to the sample fluid chamber so as to transfer the sensing surface part of said sensor through the first wall part from a position where the sensing surface part of said sensor is outside the sample fluid chamber to a position where it is inside said sample fluid chamber, and in those cases where the measuring device comprises one or more sensors of types requiring conditioning, further comprising one or more chambers, each of which is adapted to contain a conditioning fluid and is partly defined by said first wall part, the sensing surface part of each sensor being inside a conditioning fluid chamber when it is outside the sample fluid chamber, one or more stores of individual conditioning fluids, the store or each of the stores being stored in a closed and rupturable pack, each pack being positioned in a compartment from which there is direct access to a conditioning fluid chamber, one or more pressure-applying means, via which pressure can be exerted on one such rupturable pack so as to rupture said pack and release its store of conditioning fluid into a conditioning fluid chamber, each such pressure-applying means partly delimiting in a fluid-tight manner one such compartment.
Specification