Solute concentration measurement device and related methods
First Claim
1. A device comprising, in combination:
- a housing having disposed therein a filter membrane, an exchange chamber, and a sensing chamber containing a compressible fluid and a pressure sensor adapted to measure a pressure of the compressible fluid, wherein the filter membrane is exteriorly exposed on a perimeter of the housing and the exchange chamber is located internally of the filter membrane relative to the housing;
wherein the exchange chamber and sensing chamber are separated by a movable separator that moves in response to changes in the volume of the exchange chamber; and
wherein the device is adapted to measure the concentration of a solute in a sample solution utilizing, the measured pressure of the compressible fluid in the sensing chamber;
wherein the solute is glucose, andwherein the filter membrane provides selective fluid communication between the sample solution and the exchange chamber, but is substantially impermeable to the solute.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A solute concentration measurement device is disclosed. The device may comprise a filter membrane, an exchange chamber, a sensing chamber, a separator, and a sensor. The device may be configured to be placed in fluid communication with a sample solution containing a solute and a solvent. The filter membrane may provide selective fluid communication between the solution and the exchange chamber. The separator may separate the exchange chamber from the sensing chamber and cause a change in a condition of the sensing chamber corresponding to a change of a condition of the exchange chamber. The sensor may sense the condition pertaining to the sensing chamber and calculate the concentration of the sample solution corresponding to this change.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A device comprising, in combination:
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a housing having disposed therein a filter membrane, an exchange chamber, and a sensing chamber containing a compressible fluid and a pressure sensor adapted to measure a pressure of the compressible fluid, wherein the filter membrane is exteriorly exposed on a perimeter of the housing and the exchange chamber is located internally of the filter membrane relative to the housing; wherein the exchange chamber and sensing chamber are separated by a movable separator that moves in response to changes in the volume of the exchange chamber; and wherein the device is adapted to measure the concentration of a solute in a sample solution utilizing, the measured pressure of the compressible fluid in the sensing chamber; wherein the solute is glucose, and wherein the filter membrane provides selective fluid communication between the sample solution and the exchange chamber, but is substantially impermeable to the solute. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A device comprising, in combination;
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a housing having disposed therein a filter membrane, an exchange chamber, and a sensing chamber containing a compressible fluid and a pressure sensor adapted to measure a pressure of the compressible fluid, wherein the filter membrane is exteriorly exposed on a perimeter of the housing and the exchange chamber is located internally of the filter membrane relative to the housing; wherein the exchange chamber and sensing chamber are separated by a movable separator that moves in response to changes in the volume of the exchange chamber; and wherein the device is adapted to measure the concentration of a solute in a sample solution utilizing the measured pressure of the compressible fluid in the sensing chamber; wherein the solute is glucose, and wherein movement of a fluid across the filter membrane causes a change in volume in the exchange chamber, the movement of the fluid occurring as the solute concentration in the exchange chamber equalizes with the concentration of the solute in the sample solution. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification