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Methods and systems for detecting the hydration of sensors

  • US 8,532,732 B2
  • Filed: 09/21/2010
  • Issued: 09/10/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A sensor system, comprising:

  • a sensor including a plurality of electrodes; and

    a sensor electronics device that is coupled to the sensor and includes;

    an electrical detection circuit to determine whether the plurality of electrodes in the sensor are hydrated, to generate a first interrupt if the plurality of electrodes are hydrated, and to generate a second interrupt if the electrical detection circuit determines that the sensor has been disconnected from the sensor electronics device;

    a microcontroller to receive the second interrupt and to generate a signal to turn off power to one or more components or circuits within the sensor electronics device in response to the second interrupt; and

    an AC source coupled to a first electrode of the plurality of electrodes and supplying an AC signal to said first electrode, wherein the electrical detection circuit includes a comparator to detect a level of the AC signal present at the input of the comparator, to generate the first interrupt that is transmitted to the microcontroller if a low level AC signal is present at said input, and to generate the second interrupt if a high level AC signal is present at said input after the generation of the first interrupt.

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