Fluid osmolarity sensing and associated systems, devices, and methods
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12446808-B2
Publication Date
2025-10-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
a substrate configured to be positioned in the presence of a fluid; a first electrode comprising a conductive film disposed on the substrate; and a second electrode comprising the conductive film disposed on the substrate and spaced from the first electrode. The device may further include a current measurement circuit configured to: apply a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the voltage is in an electrochemical active range of the conductive film such that a portion of the conductive film dissolves into the fluid; and transmit, to a processor, a signal indicating a current measurement of an electrical current flowing through the fluid including the dissolved portion of the conductive film.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to electrochemical osmolarity sensing using a wearable device that includes a substrate and a pair of spaced conductive-film electrodes disposed on the substrate. A voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode in an electrochemical active range for the conductive film, and in response a portion of at least one conductive electrode dissolves into the fluid that contacts the electrodes.
An electrical current flowing through the fluid including the dissolved portion of the conductive film is measured, and a signal indicating the current measurement is transmitted to a processor. The processor determines osmolarity of the fluid based on the measured electrical current and outputs an indication associated with the osmolarity via a user interface device.
Embodiments transmit signals to a user interface device based on a plurality of current measurements over a period of time to produce a signal associated with tear osmolarity. The system architecture includes current measurement circuitry configured to apply voltage, obtain current measurements, and generate an output signal, and can include wireless transmission to a remote control or user interface device.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims: a wearable device for monitoring fluid production, a tear osmolarity sensor, and a method for detecting osmolarity. Across these independent claims, the inventive concept centers on dissolving a conductive electrode portion into contacted fluid within an electrochemical active range, measuring electrical current through the fluid with the dissolved conductive material, determining osmolarity from the measured current, and transmitting or outputting an indication via a user interface device.
Wearable device with dissolving conductive-film electrode pair in electrochemical active range
A wearable device with a substrate positioned in the presence of a fluid; a first conductive-film electrode on the substrate; a second spaced conductive-film electrode on the substrate; and a current measurement circuit applying a voltage between the first and second electrodes in an electrochemical active range such that a portion of the conductive film dissolves into the fluid, then transmitting a signal indicating a current measurement of electrical current flowing through the fluid including the dissolved portion of the conductive film.
Tear osmolarity sensor with electrode dissolution and time-series current measurement
A tear osmolarity sensor with a substrate; a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from the first; and a current measurement circuit applying a voltage to the first electrode in an electrochemical active range such that the first electrode partially dissolves into tear fluid in contact with the first and second electrodes, obtaining a plurality of current measurements over a period of time, and transmitting a signal associated with tear osmolarity to a user interface device based on the plurality of current measurements, where the current is representative of electrical current flowing through the fluid with a dissolved portion of at least one electrode.
Method for osmolarity detection via electrode dissolution, current measurement, determination, and indication output
A method for detecting an osmolarity of a fluid including applying a first voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode in an electrochemical active range such that a portion of the conductive material dissolves into the fluid; measuring an electrical current flowing through the fluid with the dissolved conductive material based on the first voltage; determining the osmolarity of the fluid based on the measured electrical current; and outputting to a user interface device an indication associated with the osmolarity of the fluid.
The independent claims consistently require an electrode pair with voltage applied in an electrochemical active range to cause partial dissolution of conductive electrode material into contacted fluid, followed by electrical current measurement that includes the dissolved portion, with osmolarity determined from the measured current and an associated signal or indication transmitted or output to a user interface device. The tear-specific independent claim further requires multiple current measurements over time to generate a tear osmolarity-associated signal.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Monitoring fluid production using a wearable device that senses osmolarity based on electrochemical dissolution of conductive-film electrodes into contacting fluid and measurement of resulting electrical current.
Providing a tear osmolarity sensor that transmits a signal associated with tear osmolarity based on current measurements over a period of time to a user interface device.
Detecting osmolarity of a fluid and outputting an indication associated with the osmolarity of the fluid to a user interface device.
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