Autonomous hydrogen evolution reaction threshold detection method and device
Inventors
Maranhao, Jason M. • Peterson, Brian R. • Hobble, Jackson G. • Canty, Mary K.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12268606-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method and apparatus to autonomously analyze the surface area and alloy composition ratios of a metallic implant, such as an orthopedic implant, so that an optimal voltage for biofilm disruption can be selected and make treatment easier based at least in part upon the autonomous detection of a hydrogen evolution reaction threshold.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method of providing cathodic voltage controlled electrical stimulation for removal of biofilm from a metallic object. A polarization scan is applied to the metallic object serving as a working electrode, and polarization data are generated during the scan. A processor autonomously detects a hydrogen evolution reaction threshold from the polarization scan in order to determine a cathodic voltage to be applied to the object.
The processor detects specific inflection points in the applied polarization scan or polarization data to precisely detect the cathodic voltage. The polarization scan is initiated at an open circuit potential and scanned cathodically to a target voltage that enables detection of the hydrogen evolution reaction, followed by analyzing the polarization scan in real time. During this analysis, the processor detects a first change in slope indicative of an oxygen reduction reaction prior to detecting a second change in slope indicative of the hydrogen evolution reaction.
The hydrogen evolution reaction threshold determined from the inflection points is used to control the cathodic voltage applied for treatment, including removal of biofilm. The device aspect includes a processor configured for connection to a potentiostat, with working, counter, and reference electrodes coupled to the potentiostat. The processor runs the polarization scan and uses the autonomously detected hydrogen evolution reaction threshold to determine the cathodic voltage to be applied while detecting oxygen reduction reaction behavior prior to hydrogen evolution reaction behavior.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies two independent claims, a method claim and a device claim, with inventive features focused on autonomous detection of a hydrogen evolution reaction threshold from slope inflection points in polarization data, separating oxygen reduction reaction behavior from hydrogen evolution reaction behavior, and using the detected threshold to determine and apply a cathodic stimulation voltage for biofilm removal.
Autonomous hydrogen evolution reaction threshold detection from polarization scan inflection points
Using a processor to autonomously detect a hydrogen evolution reaction threshold from the polarization scan or polarization data by detecting specific inflection points in the applied polarization scan in order to precisely detect the cathodic voltage, where the detected threshold determines the cathodic voltage to be applied.
Oxygen reduction reaction slope change before hydrogen evolution reaction slope change
Detecting a first change in slope indicative of an oxygen reduction reaction prior to detecting a second change in slope indicative of the hydrogen evolution reaction during analyzing the polarization scan or polarization data.
Open circuit potential initiation and cathodic scanning to a target voltage for real-time analysis
Initiating the polarization scan at an open circuit potential and scanning cathodically to a target voltage that enables detection of the hydrogen evolution reaction, followed by analyzing polarization data in real time.
Potentiostat-connected electrode configuration for applying detected cathodic voltage
Providing a device with working, counter and reference electrodes coupled to a potentiostat, wherein the working electrode is the metallic object to be treated, and the processor applies the determined cathodic voltage to the metallic object for removal of biofilm using autonomously detected hydrogen evolution reaction threshold from generated polarization data.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is directed to autonomously detecting a hydrogen evolution reaction threshold from polarization scan inflection points detected as slope changes, explicitly identifying an oxygen reduction reaction slope change prior to the hydrogen evolution reaction slope change, and using the detected threshold to determine and apply a cathodic stimulation voltage for removal of biofilm.
Stated Advantages
Enables removal of biofilm from a metallic object using a determined cathodic voltage based on autonomously detected hydrogen evolution reaction threshold.
Precisely detects the cathodic voltage by detecting specific inflection points in the applied polarization scan.
Improves determination of the cathodic voltage by detecting oxygen reduction reaction behavior prior to hydrogen evolution reaction behavior.
Documented Applications
Treatment of a metallic object for removal of biofilm using cathodic voltage controlled electrical stimulation with autonomous hydrogen evolution reaction threshold detection.
Treatment where the metallic object is an implantable medical device, including a surgical implant.
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