Sensor
First Claim
1. A sensor element carrier for use in a mass-sensitive chemical sensor instrument, comprising:
- (a) a base component;
(b) a lid component;
(c) a sample chamber formed from a recess area of the base component or the lid component and, when in use, comprising a sensor having a sensing surface, a signal generated by which depends on the mass of material adsorbed at the sensing surface thereof; and
(d) at least one channel—
for the ingress of a sample fluid, in the—
recessed area, and wherein the base component and the lid component having substantially rigid portions are limited on assembly of the sensor element when in use, by the substantially rigid portions of each which come into abutment, thereby limiting the minimum height of the sample chamber for a given set of sensor, base and lid components.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor element carrier for use in a mass-sensitive chemical sensor instrument comprises a base component and a lid component, the base component being adapted to receive, in use, a sensor, the signal generated by which depends on the mass of material adsorbed at a sensing surface thereof, the base component or the lid component having formed therein, in a recessed area, at least one channel for the ingress of sample fluid, the recessed area forming, in use and in conjunction with the sensing surface of the sensor, a sample chamber, the sensor being held, in use, between the base component and the lid component and the approach of the base component and lid component being limited on assembly of the sensor element by means of substantially rigid portions of each which come into abutment, thereby limiting the minimum height of the sample chamber for a given set of sensor, base and lid components.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A sensor element carrier for use in a mass-sensitive chemical sensor instrument, comprising:
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(a) a base component; (b) a lid component; (c) a sample chamber formed from a recess area of the base component or the lid component and, when in use, comprising a sensor having a sensing surface, a signal generated by which depends on the mass of material adsorbed at the sensing surface thereof; and (d) at least one channel—
for the ingress of a sample fluid, in the—
recessed area, and wherein the base component and the lid component having substantially rigid portions are limited on assembly of the sensor element when in use, by the substantially rigid portions of each which come into abutment, thereby limiting the minimum height of the sample chamber for a given set of sensor, base and lid components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A sensor element for use in a mass-sensitive chemical sensor instrument, comprising a mass-sensitive sensor having a sensing surface and a carrier wherein the carrier comprises:
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(a) a base component; (b) a lid component; (c) a sample chamber formed from a recess area of the base component or the lid component; and (d) at least one channel—
for the ingress of a sample fluid in the recess area, and wherein base component and the lid component have substantially rigid portions are limited on assembly of the sensor element, when in use, by the substantially rigid portions of each which come into abutment, thereby limiting the minimum height of the sample chamber for a given set of sensor, base and lid components. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A mass-sensitive chemical sensor instrument, comprising a sensor element, wherein the sensor element comprises a mass-sensitive sensor having a sensing surface and a carrier wherein the carrier comprises:
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(a) a base component; (b) a lid component; (c)) a sample chamber formed from a recess area of the base component or the lid component and comprising, when in use, the sensor element; and (d) at least one channel—
for the ingress of a sample fluid, and wherein base component and the lid component have substantially rigid portions are limited on assembly of the sensor element, when in use, by the substantially rigid portions of each which come into abutment, thereby limiting the minimum height of the sample chamber for a given set of sensor, base and lid components.
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26. A method for mass-sensitive chemical sensing, comprising:
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(1) introducing a sample fluid through an ingress channel of a sensor element, wherein the sensor element comprises a mass-sensitive sensor and a carrier comprising; (a) a base component wherein the base component is adapted to receive a lid component in use; (b) a lid component; (c) a sample chamber formed from a recess area of the base component or the lid component, (d) at least one channel for the ingress of a sample fluid, and wherein base component and the lid component have substantially rigid portions are limited on assembly of the sensor element, when in use, by the substantially rigid portions of each which come into abutment, thereby limiting the minimum height of the sample chamber for a given set of sensor, base and lid components; (2) allowing chemical species within the sample fluid to interact with the sensor; and (3) sensing, by means of a change in signal generated by the sensor, such interaction.
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- 27. A sensor element carrier for use in a mass-sensitive chemical sensor instrument, the sensor element carrier comprising a base component and a lid component, the base component being adapted to receive, in use, a sensor, the signal generated by which depends on the mass of material adsorbed at a sensing surface thereof, the base component or the lid component having formed therein, in a recessed area, at least one channel for the ingress of sample fluid, the recessed area forming, in use and in conjunction with the sensing surface of the sensor, a sample chamber, the sensor being held, in use, between the base component and the lid component, wherein the lid and/or base component of the sensor element carrier comprises first and second parts, the first part being adapted for assembly with the other of the base or lid components and having an aperture which, in use, is in registration with a sensor mounted in the carrier, and the second part comprising a plate having a protruding portion shaped such that, on assembly of the sensor element, the protruding portion passes through the aperture to form the recessed area which, in use, and in conjunction with the sensing surface of the sensor, forms the sample chamber.
Specification