Sampling system and analysis cell for stripping voltammetry

• US 5,284,567 A
• Filed: 03/05/1993
• Issued: 02/08/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ESA Biosciences, Inc. (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Esa S.R.O. (Logisteed Limited)
• Inventors: Matson, Wayne R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Niebling, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bell, Bruce F.
• Application Number:
  US08/026,975
• Time in Patent Office: 340 Days
• Field of Search: 204/153.12, 204/403, 204/418, 204/419
• US Class Current: 205/777.5
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/42 Measuring deposition or liberation of materials from an electrolyte; Coulometry, i.e. measuring coulomb-equivalent of material in an electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48714 for determining substances foreign to the organism, e.g. drugs or heavy metals drugs by chemical analysis G01N33/94

Abstract

A combination sampling/electrochemical analysis cell comprises an enclosure having a hollow therein, at least one inlet leading to the hollow, a vent leading from the hollow, at least one testing electrode, at least one counter electrode, and at least one reference electrode, all disposed at least in part in the hollow. A testing reagent is also contained in the hollow.

Claims

1. In a method of testing a blood sample for lead levels, the improvement wherein said blood is introduced, undiluted, directly into an electrochemical testing cell, and subjected to anodic stripping voltammetry analysis in the presence of a dried in place reagent.

2. In a method according to claim 1, wherein said reagent comprises a mixture of an organic acid and, a metal salt.

3. In a method according to claim 2, wherein said organic acid comprises monochloro acetic acid, and said salt is selected from the group consisting of LaCl₃, AlCl₃, CrCl₃, CaCl₂, HgCl₂ and mixtures thereof.