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Publication Number
US-11802847-B2
Publication Date
2023-10-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
An electrochemical oxygen sensor includes a sensing surface having a working electrode and a reference electrode, a hydrophilic layer formed from an oxygen diffusion-limiting layer emulsion overlaying the working electrode and a hydrophobic membrane formed from a hydrophobic solution disposed over the hydrophilic layer. The hydrophilic layer contains an epoxy network and a hydrophilic polymer. The hydrophobic layer contains an acetate copolymer and a cross-linking agent that reacts with the liquid epoxy resin in the hydrophilic layer forming the epoxy network where the hydrophobic member is water vapor and oxygen permeable.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a multi-layer reagent matrix for an electrochemical oxygen sensor, including a hydrophilic layer at least partially formed as an epoxy network containing a hydrophilic polymer. The hydrophilic layer functions as an oxygen diffusion-limiting layer overlaying a working electrode on a sensing surface that also includes a reference electrode.
A hydrophobic layer is disposed over the hydrophilic layer and comprises a cross-linking agent capable of reacting with a liquid epoxy resin of the hydrophilic layer in forming the epoxy network of the hydrophilic layer. The hydrophobic layer is formed as a cover membrane to provide the oxygen sensor with a two-layer reagent matrix architecture including an epoxy network-based hydrophilic layer and a cross-linking agent-containing hydrophobic layer.
The document further describes making the multi-layer reagent matrix by forming a hydrophilic emulsion that combines liquid epoxy resin, a hydrophilic polymer, a surfactant, and distilled water, and then forming a membrane solution for depositing onto the hydrophilic layer. An electrochemical oxygen sensor is described as having a sensing surface with a working electrode and a reference electrode, with the hydrophilic layer overlaying the working electrode and the hydrophobic layer disposed over the hydrophilic layer.
Claims Coverage
The document contains three independent claims that cover a multi-layer reagent matrix, a method for making that multi-layer reagent matrix, and an electrochemical oxygen sensor employing that reagent matrix on a sensing surface. The inventive features emphasize an epoxy-network hydrophilic layer containing a hydrophilic polymer, a hydrophobic cover layer containing a cross-linking agent that reacts with a liquid epoxy resin, and fabrication that deposits these layers via solutions and emulsions associated with the sensor sensing surface.
Multi-layer reagent matrix with epoxy-network hydrophilic layer and cross-linking hydrophobic layer
A multi-layer reagent matrix comprising a hydrophilic layer at least partially formed as an epoxy network containing a hydrophilic polymer; and a hydrophobic layer disposed over the hydrophilic layer and comprising a cross-linking agent capable of reacting with a liquid epoxy resin of the hydrophilic layer in forming the epoxy network of the hydrophilic layer.
Making a multi-layer reagent matrix from hydrophilic emulsion and membrane solution
A method for making a multi-layer reagent matrix comprising forming a hydrophilic emulsion by combining a liquid epoxy resin, a hydrophilic polymer, a surfactant, and distilled water; and forming a membrane solution for depositing onto the hydrophilic layer by combining an acetate copolymer, an epoxy curing agent, and pentaerythritol tetrakis 3-mercaptopropionate.
Electrochemical oxygen sensor with epoxy-network hydrophilic layer and cross-linking hydrophobic cover
An electrochemical oxygen sensor comprising a sensing surface having a working electrode and a reference electrode; a hydrophilic layer overlaying the working electrode, wherein the hydrophilic layer is at least partially formed as an epoxy network containing a hydrophilic polymer; and a hydrophobic layer disposed over the hydrophilic layer, the hydrophobic layer containing a cross-linking agent capable of reacting with a liquid epoxy resin of the hydrophilic layer in forming the epoxy network of the hydrophilic layer.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on an epoxy-network hydrophilic layer containing a hydrophilic polymer combined with a hydrophobic layer containing a cross-linking agent that reacts with the hydrophilic layer’s liquid epoxy resin to form the epoxy network, plus a method that forms a hydrophilic emulsion and a membrane solution for depositing the two-layer structure onto a sensor sensing surface.
Stated Advantages
Linear oxygen response over a reported oxygen partial pressure range of approximately 50–170 mmHg pO2.
Reported sensor-to-sensor standard deviations across multiple disposable sensors.
Documented Applications
A pHox blood gas analyzer context is mentioned in the document as an analyzer associated with oxygen sensing.
Use in a flow cell is referenced in the document context.
Use with chronoamperometry and oxygen response testing is documented at a conceptual level.
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