Sensor array

• US 5,694,932 A
• Filed: 04/01/1996
• Issued: 12/09/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Roche Diagnostics International AG (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Disetronic Licensing Ag (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Michel, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahr, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US08/626,270
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 128/632, 128/635, 128/637, 204/403, 204/415
• US Class Current: 204/403.05
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/004 mediator-assisted

Abstract

A sensor is used to detect a substance component in an aqueous solution. This sensor has electrically conducting and mutually insulated electrodes (7) which can be connected to a data-recording device. A sensor membrane array responsive to substance components to be detected includes several individual membranes (2) in rows or row-column arrays mounted on a flat support (1).

Claims

1. An array of sensors for selectively detecting or measuring at least one substance component in an aqueous solution, comprising

a flat substrate (1);

a plurality of sets of electrically conductive and mutually insulated electrodes (7) on said substrate connectable to a data-recording and display device (4);

an array of individual sensor membranes each responsive to a component of a substance to be detected or measured, said array of individual sensor membranes (2) being arranged on said flat substrate (1) with one membrane adjacent each set of electrodes;

a protective layer covering and protecting said membranes against external influences;

a calibration solution (5) between said individual membranes and said protective layer; and

an absorbent cover mounted on each of said individual membranes.

2. A sensor according to claim 1 wherein said protective layer is removable and comprises a metal foil.

3. A sensor according to claim 1 wherein said calibration solution comprises a neutral salt solution.

4. A sensor according to claim 1 wherein each of said individual membranes (2) contains an enzyme responsive to the substance component to be detected.

5. A sensor according to claim 4 wherein, in addition to said enzyme, each of said individual membranes (2) comprises a mediator.

6. A sensor according to claim 1 wherein each of said individual membranes (2) responds to physiological substances in the body fluids.

7. A sensor according to claim 6 wherein a fluid to which said membrane responds is glucose.

8. A sensor according to claim 1 wherein said electrodes (7) include three mutually insulated electrodes including an operational electrode, a monitoring electrode, and a reference electrode, said reference electrode being made of silver.