Robust chemiresistor sensor
First Claim
1. A chemiresistor sensor probe for detecting the presence of one or more target analytes in the atmosphere of an ambient environment, the probe comprising:
- a body comprising a sensing portion and a terminal portion;
a sensor film located on said sensing portion; and
first and second terminals disposed within said body, each of said first and second terminals extending from said sensing portion to the terminal portion and protruding from said body; and
conductive interlocking portions, one each disposed between each of said first and second terminals and said sensor film, each said interlocking portion in direct contact with said sensor film and a respective one of said first and second terminals.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A chemiresistor sensor probe for detecting target analytes. The probe includes a body having a first control surface and a second control surface recessed within the first. A sensor film comprises numerous conductive particles disposed upon the second surface. The film swells upon absorbing one or more analytes for which it has an affinity, thus causing the conductive particles to become more dispersed and increasing the resistance between the particles. The thickness of the film is equal to the distance between the first surface and the second surface, thus permitting the thickness to be controlled by varying the distance between the control surfaces. The robustness of the sensor probe is enhanced by placing a porous or mesh electrode along with, or in place of, a chemical binding agent between the film and the terminals. The robustness is also improved by placing a diode in series with the sensor circuit.
44 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A chemiresistor sensor probe for detecting the presence of one or more target analytes in the atmosphere of an ambient environment, the probe comprising:
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a body comprising a sensing portion and a terminal portion; a sensor film located on said sensing portion; and first and second terminals disposed within said body, each of said first and second terminals extending from said sensing portion to the terminal portion and protruding from said body; and conductive interlocking portions, one each disposed between each of said first and second terminals and said sensor film, each said interlocking portion in direct contact with said sensor film and a respective one of said first and second terminals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A chemiresistor sensor probe for detecting the presence of one or more target analytes in the atmosphere of an ambient environment, the probe comprising:
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a molded body comprising a sensing region and a bottom surface opposite of said sensing region; a sensor film comprising a cross-linked polymeric matrix located in said sensing region; first and second terminals disposed within said body, each of said first and second terminals extending from said sensing region through said bottom surface so as to protrude from said body, each of said first and second terminals comprising an interlocking member disposed between and in direct contact with said sensor film and a respective one of said first and second terminals; and a molded cap attached to said body and covering said sensor film, said cap comprising at least one aperture which permits the atmosphere of the ambient environment to pass through the cap. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A chemiresistor sensor probe for detecting the presence of one or more target analytes comprising:
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a probe body; a sensor film that absorbs the target analytes when the analytes are present mounted at an exterior surface of said probe body; and a first and a second terminal each having an interlocking device in direct contact with said sensor film. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A chemiresistor sensor system for detecting the presence of one or more analytes comprising:
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a probe including a first electrode and a second electrode each having a conductive interlocking device in direct contact with a sensor film, said probe operable to generate a first output indicative of the absence or presence of the analytes in the environment; a control unit in electrical communication with said first and second electrodes, said control unit operable to receive said first output from said probe and generate a signal corresponding to said first output; and a user interface in communication with said control unit, said user interface operable to receive said signal from said control unit and generate a second output corresponding to the absence or presence of analytes in the environment.
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34. A chemiresistor sensor probe for detecting the presence of one or more target analytes comprising:
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a probe body; a sensor film including a crosslinked polymeric matrix mounted at an exterior surface of said probe body; and a first and a second terminal each having a conductive interlocking device in direct contact with said sensor film, said first and second terminals extending from said sensor film through said probe body and protruding from said probe body. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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37. A chemiresistor sensor probe for detecting the presence of one or more analytes comprising:
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a probe body; a sensor film including a crosslinked polymeric matrix mounted at an exterior surface of said probe body; and a first terminal having a first conductive mesh plate mounted directly to said first terminal and a second terminal having a second conductive mesh plate mounted directly to said second terminal, said first and said second mesh plates each in direct contact with said sensor film. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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Specification