Hydrogen gas concentration sensor

Abstract

To provide a hydrogen gas concentration sensor for blood that can safely and easily measure the dissolved hydrogen concentration in blood simply by piercing the rubber stopper of the blood collection tube (blood collection vessel). [Solution] A hydrogen gas concentration sensor is provided in which a container's tubular section is placed inside the needle tube section, and a first electrode piece is provided protruding from this tubular section, for example, the first electrode piece, a second electrode piece and an electrolyte are placed inside the container or tubular section, and when the needle tube section is inserted into the rubber stopper of the blood collection tube, the dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood in the blood collection tube comes into contact with, for example, the first electrode piece and the electrolyte interposed in the gap, thereby measuring the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen gas concentration sensor for measuring the dissolved hydrogen concentration in blood in a collected blood collection tube (measuring the dissolved hydrogen gas in blood).

Background Art

[0002] In the future hydrogen energy utilization society, with the elimination of the risk of hydrogen explosion and high safety, while constructing a hydrogen energy utilization system with excellent convenience being desired, the inventors have developed a hydrogen gas concentration sensor that can instantaneously detect the amount of hydrogen (hydrogen gas concentration) with high precision, has an extremely simple structure, and high reliability. (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2024-64282)

[0003] On the other hand, in the medical field, research on hydrogen medicine has started worldwide since a research paper was published in Japan in 2007. Drinking water in which hydrogen (hydrogen gas) is dissolved has been shown to suppress arteriosclerosis models, improve stress-induced memory impairment models, and improve obesity / diabetes models, and the effects of hydrogen have been gradually revealed. Based on this basic research, pilot clinical trials have been started, and it has been shown that hydrogen intake has effects on Parkinson's disease, rheumatism, cerebral infarction, cardiopulmonary arrest resuscitation, cancer treatment, etc. In addition, research on suppressing the severity of novel coronavirus infection patients and improving dyspnea by inhaling hydrogen (hydrogen gas) has also been advanced, and hydrogen inhalation treatment for novel coronavirus has also been carried out.

[0004] In Japan, hydrogen water drinking, hydrogen (hydrogen gas) inhalation, and high-pressure oxygen / hydrogen (oxygen / hydrogen gas) capsule inhalation method (treatment in which the human body is placed in a high-pressure oxygen / hydrogen tank for a predetermined time) are being carried out.

[0005] In Japan, such hydrogen gas inhalation medical treatment was certified as Advanced Medical Care B "Hydrogen Gas Inhalation Therapy" by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2016 and has also been approved as free medical treatment.

[0006] However, in such hydrogen therapy methods, it has been difficult to easily determine the optimal amount of hydrogen gas inhaled, hydrogen gas concentration, inhalation time, etc. Furthermore, methods and clinical trial devices that can easily measure and obtain these optimal conditions have not yet been developed. Therefore, the inventors have further developed a hydrogen inhalation capsule device equipped with a groundbreaking hydrogen concentration control device to solve this problem. (Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-19653) [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-64282 [Patent Document 2] Patent Application No. 2025-19653

[0008] The hydrogen inhalation capsule device equipped with a hydrogen concentration control device developed by the inventors is configured such that the hydrogen concentration determined from the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood of a person and the degree of recovery from disease or the degree of physical change is input to the hydrogen concentration setting unit as the set hydrogen concentration, and the hydrogen concentration measurement value from the hydrogen sensor is input as feedback, and the amount of hydrogen supplied is controlled based on this measurement result so that the hydrogen concentration in the capsule unit becomes the preset set hydrogen concentration. This hydrogen inhalation capsule device is equipped with a groundbreaking hydrogen concentration control device that can easily determine the optimal conditions such as the optimal hydrogen concentration and hydrogen inhalation time, and can greatly contribute to hydrogen medicine.

[0009] Specifically, as detailed in the specification of the aforementioned Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-19653, the hydrogen inhalation capsule device includes a capsule for containing a person or animal, an oxygen supply unit for supplying oxygen to the capsule, a hydrogen supply unit for supplying hydrogen, and a hydrogen concentration control unit for controlling the amount of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply unit to the capsule, and a hydrogen concentration control unit for observing the recovery from disease or physical changes as the person or animal enters and stays in the capsule and breathes, and the hydrogen supplied under control from the hydrogen supply unit in addition to the oxygen supplied from the oxygen supply unit is inhaled by the breath and taken into the bloodstream, and the capsule is equipped with a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside the capsule and a pressure sensor for measuring the air pressure inside the capsule, and an oxygen concentration control unit for measuring the oxygen concentration inside the capsule. The hydrogen inhalation capsule device is equipped with a hydrogen concentration control device, which includes a sensor and a hydrogen sensor for measuring the hydrogen concentration inside the capsule, and the hydrogen concentration control unit is configured to control the amount of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply unit to the capsule so that the hydrogen concentration inside the capsule becomes a preset hydrogen concentration based on the measurement results of the hydrogen sensor, and the hydrogen concentration setting unit is provided to input and set the hydrogen concentration as the preset hydrogen concentration, which is determined from the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood of a person or animal and the degree of recovery from disease or the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood and the degree of physical change, and the hydrogen concentration measurement value output from the hydrogen sensor is fed back and, based on the measurement results of the hydrogen sensor, the amount of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply unit to the capsule is controlled so that the hydrogen concentration inside the capsule becomes the preset hydrogen concentration.

[0010] In order to use such hydrogen inhalation capsule devices as therapeutic devices for treating patients with hydrogen, or to determine the optimal conditions for hydrogen inhalation as a clinical trial device, there is a need for the development of a blood hydrogen gas concentration sensor that can instantly and accurately detect hydrogen gas concentration, has an extremely simple and reliable structure, and can instantly and easily measure the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] In view of the current situation, the present invention was created to provide a groundbreaking hydrogen gas concentration sensor for measuring dissolved hydrogen gas concentration in blood. This sensor can easily measure the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood simply by piercing the rubber stopper of the blood collection tube (blood collection tube), and because there is no need to remove the rubber stopper of the blood collection tube, there is no risk of medical accidents, and hydrogen gas is less likely to escape from the collected blood. Furthermore, it allows for the quantitative evaluation of the amount of hydrogen gas taken into the body, for example, through hydrogen gas inhalation therapy, and will dramatically improve the usefulness and effectiveness of hydrogen inhalation capsule devices equipped with the hydrogen concentration control device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The gist of the present invention will be explained with reference to the attached drawings.

[0013] The present invention comprises a first electrode piece 1, a second electrode piece 2, an electrolyte 3 in which the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2 are in contact at a distance from each other, and a container 4 that houses the first electrode piece 1, the second electrode piece 2, and the electrolyte 3. The first electrode piece 1 contains H2(-)|50mol / m³ 3 The configuration includes a first electrode material that exhibits a standard electromotive force value of 0.8V or higher for a cell composed of H2SO4|material sample (+). The second electrode piece 2 contains H2(-)|50mol / m³ 3 The configuration includes a second electrode material that exhibits a standard electromotive force value of less than 0.8V for a cell composed of H2SO4|material sample (+). The first electrode piece 1 is a hydrogen gas concentration sensor configured to protrude from the outside of the container 4, It is equipped with a needle tube 7 that is inserted into the rubber stopper 6 of the blood collection tube 5 in which the collected blood is stored. A tubular portion 8, which is provided as part of the container 4, is provided within the needle tube portion 7, and the first electrode piece 1, which protrudes from the tubular portion 8 of the container 4, is provided within this needle tube portion 7. The container 4 or the tubular portion 8 of the container 4 is configured to contain the first electrode piece 1, the second electrode piece 2, and the electrolyte 3. When the needle tube portion 7 is inserted into the rubber stopper 6 of the blood collection tube 5, the dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood inside the blood collection tube 5 comes into contact with the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the capillary portion 8, and also comes into contact with the electrolyte 3 interposed in the gap 9 created by the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the capillary portion 8, or with the electrolyte 3 inside the capillary portion 8 or inside the container 4. Alternatively, the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the tubular portion 8 is in contact with the electrolyte 3 inside the tubular portion 8 or the container 4, This invention relates to a hydrogen gas concentration sensor characterized in that a three-phase interface is formed by the simultaneous presence of the first electrode piece 1, hydrogen, and the electrolyte 3, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood is measured by measuring the electromotive force value of the cell.

[0014] Furthermore, the tubular portion 8 protrudes from the tip of the container 4, from which the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2 protrude from the base end closure portion 11, and is in communication with the container 4 as part of the container 4. The tip of the first electrode piece 1 protrudes from the tip of this tubular portion 8 through the gap 9, The needle tube portion 7 is provided with the tip portion of the thin tube portion 8, and the tip portion of the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the thin tube portion 8 is provided within the thin tube portion 7. The liquid electrolyte 3 is filled into the tubular portion 8 and the electrolyte 3 is filled and interposed in the void 9. When the needle tube portion 7 pierces the rubber stopper 6 of the blood collection tube 5, the dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood in the blood collection tube 5 contacts the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the capillary tube portion 8 and also contacts the electrolyte 3 intervening in the gap 9, so that a three-phase interface is formed by the simultaneous presence of the first electrode piece 1, hydrogen, and the electrolyte 3 in the gap 9 portion at the tip of the capillary tube portion 8, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood is measured by measuring the electromotive force value of the cell. This is the hydrogen gas concentration sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that.

[0015] Also, a capillary tube portion 10 is provided in the capillary tube portion 8, the first electrode piece 1 is provided in the capillary tube portion 10, and the capillary tube portion 10 is used as an air vent hole and the capillary tube portion 8 is filled with the liquid electrolyte 3. This is the hydrogen gas concentration sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that.

[0016] Also, the capillary tube portion 8 protrudes in a communicating state as a part of the container 4 at the tip of the container 4 from which the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2 protrude from the base end closing portion 11, The tip of the first electrode piece 1 protrudes from the tip of the capillary tube portion 8, The capillary tube portion 8 is provided in the tip of the needle tube portion 7, and the tip of the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the capillary tube portion 8 is provided, When the needle tube portion 7 pierces the rubber stopper 6 of the blood collection tube 5, the dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood in the blood collection tube 5 contacts the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the capillary tube portion 8 and also contacts the electrolyte 3 in the container 4 in contact with the contacted first electrode piece 1. Thus, a three-phase interface is formed by the simultaneous presence of the first electrode piece 1, hydrogen, and the electrolyte 3 at the contact portion between the first electrode piece 1 and the electrolyte 3, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood is measured by measuring the electromotive force value of the cell. This is the hydrogen gas concentration sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that.

[0017] Also, a blood collection tube insertion guide tube portion 12 is provided, in which the syringe tube portion 7 is inserted and held on one side, and the blood collection tube 5 is inserted and held with the rubber stopper 6 at the insertion tip on the opposite side. This blood collection tube insertion guide tube portion 12 is configured to guide and hold the insertion of the blood collection tube 5 inserted from the opening on the opposite side, and when inserted, the syringe tube portion 7 pierces and holds the rubber stopper 6 of the blood collection tube 5. It relates to the hydrogen gas concentration sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that.

Effects of the Invention

[0018] Since the present invention is configured as described above, by simply piercing the rubber stopper of the blood collection tube (blood collection spitz) to be collected, the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood can be easily measured (the dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood can be measured), and there is no need to remove the rubber stopper of the blood collection tube, so there is no medical accident and hydrogen gas does not easily escape from this blood collection. Also, for example, the amount of hydrogen gas taken into the body by hydrogen gas inhalation therapy can be quantitatively evaluated, and it becomes an epoch-making hydrogen gas concentration sensor that can dramatically enhance the usefulness and effectiveness of the hydrogen inhalation capsule device equipped with the hydrogen concentration control device for measuring the dissolved hydrogen gas concentration in the blood.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a schematic enlarged configuration explanatory diagram of the main part of Example 1. [Figure 2] It is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram of Example 1. [Figure 3] It is a schematic enlarged configuration explanatory diagram of the main part of Example​​​​​​​​​​​The container 4 contains a first electrode piece 1, a second electrode piece 2, and an electrolyte 3 that contacts the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2 at a distance from each other. The first electrode piece 1 protrudes to the outside of the container 4, and the tip of this first electrode piece 1, which acts as a detection electrode, is housed in a needle tube section 7 that is inserted into the rubber stopper 6 of a blood collection tube 5 (blood collection spit) containing the collected blood. Specifically, the container 4 has a tubular section 8 provided as part of the container 4, which is housed in the needle tube section 7, and the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the tubular section 8 of the container 4 is housed in the needle tube section 7. In other words, the first electrode piece 1, the second electrode piece 2, and the electrolyte 3 are provided inside the container 4 or inside the tubular section 8 of the container 4, but the tip of the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the tubular section 8, which is housed inside the needle tube section 7, is housed in the needle tube section 7.

[0022] Therefore, in the present invention, when the needle tube portion 7 is inserted into the rubber stopper 6 of the blood collection tube 5, the dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood in the blood collection tube 5 comes into contact with the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the capillary portion 8, and also comes into contact with the electrolyte 3 interposed in the gap 9 created by the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the capillary portion 8, or with the electrolyte 3 inside the capillary portion 8 or the container 4, or comes into contact with the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the capillary portion 8, and the electrolyte 3 inside the capillary portion 8 or the container 4, thereby forming a three-phase interface where the first electrode piece 1, hydrogen, and the electrolyte 3 are simultaneously present, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood is measured by measuring the electromotive force value of the cell.

[0023] For example, if the first electrode piece 1 is a platinum wire (Pt wire), the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2 (counter electrode wire) protrude from the base end closure portion 11 of the container 4, and the tubular portion 8 is configured to protrude in communication with the tip of the container 4 as part of the container 4. The tip of the first electrode piece 1 protrudes from the tip of the tubular portion 8 through a gap 9. These are provided within the tip of the needle tube portion 7, and the tubular portion 8 is filled with the liquid electrolyte 3, so that the electrolyte 3 is filled and interposed in the gap 9.

[0024] Therefore, in this case, when the needle tube portion 7 is inserted into the rubber stopper 6 of the blood collection tube 5, the dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood inside the blood collection tube 5 comes into contact with the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the capillary portion 8 and also comes into contact with the electrolyte 3 interposed in the gap 9. As a result, a three-phase interface is formed in the gap 9 portion at the tip of the capillary portion 8, where the first electrode piece 1, hydrogen, and the electrolyte 3 are simultaneously present, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood is measured by measuring the electromotive force value of the cell.

[0025] Furthermore, in this case, for example, if a capillary section 10 is provided within the tubular section 8, and the first electrode piece 1 is provided within this capillary section 10, the capillary section 10 can be used as an air vent to easily fill the tubular section 8 with the liquid electrolyte 3, and the void 9 can be easily filled with this liquid electrolyte 3.

[0026] For example, if the first electrode piece 1 is a palladium wire (Pd wire), the tubular portion 8 is configured to protrude from the tip of the container 4, from which the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2 protrude from the base end closure portion 11, and the tip of the first electrode piece 1 protrudes from the tip of the tubular portion 8. These are also provided within the tip of the needle tube portion 7. Furthermore, the container 4 is filled with the liquid electrolyte 3, and the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2 are in contact with the electrolyte 3 at a distance from each other.

[0027] Therefore, in this case, when the needle tube portion 7 is inserted into the rubber stopper 6 of the blood collection tube 5, the dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood inside the blood collection tube 5 comes into contact with the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the tubular portion 8, and the first electrode piece 1 that has come into contact with the electrolyte 3 inside the container 4. As a result, a three-phase interface is formed at the contact point between the first electrode piece 1 and the electrolyte 3, where the first electrode piece 1, hydrogen, and the electrolyte 3 are simultaneously present, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood is measured by measuring the electromotive force value of the cell.

[0028] Therefore, by simply piercing the rubber stopper 6 of the blood collection tube 5 (blood collection tube) from which the blood is collected, the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood can be easily measured (dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood can be measured), and since there is no need to remove the rubber stopper of the blood collection tube, there are no medical accidents, and hydrogen gas is less likely to escape from the collected blood. Furthermore, this is a groundbreaking blood hydrogen gas concentration sensor that dramatically increases the usefulness and effectiveness of, for example, a hydrogen inhalation capsule device equipped with the hydrogen concentration control device. [Examples]

[0029] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0030] In this embodiment, the configuration consists of a linear first electrode piece 1, a linear second electrode piece 2, a liquid electrolyte 3 (an electrolyte that adheres due to viscosity or surface tension) in which the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2 are spaced apart and in contact, and a glass container 4 that houses the first electrode piece 1, the second electrode piece 2, and the electrolyte 3. The tip of the linear first electrode piece 1, which serves as the detection electrode, protrudes outside the container 4, and the base ends of the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2 protrude from a base end closure portion 11 and are connected to a connector 13.

[0031] The first electrode piece 1 contains H2(-)|50mol / m³ 3 The configuration includes a first electrode material that exhibits a standard electromotive force value of 0.8V or higher for a cell composed of H2SO4|material sample(+), and the second electrode piece 2 is H2(-)|50mol / m 3 The configuration includes a second electrode material that exhibits a standard electromotive force value of less than 0.8V for a cell composed of H2SO4|material sample (+).

[0032] In this embodiment, the tip of the container 4 is provided with a needle tube 7 that is inserted into the rubber stopper 6 of an existing (commonly used) blood collection tube 5 (blood collection spit) that contains the collected blood.

[0033] The needle tube portion 7 is configured with a length and diameter that allows it to be easily inserted into the rubber stopper 6, and its diameter is set to accommodate a thin glass tube portion 8 that is formed to protrude from the container 4 in a tapered shape as part of the container 4. The tip of the needle tube portion 7 is formed with an inclined end face to create a sharp point, and its side view is slightly curved inward to facilitate insertion.

[0034] Furthermore, the needle tube portion 7 contains the thin tube portion 8 which is integrally formed in communication with the tip of the container 4 as described above, and the protruding tip of the first electrode piece 1 that protrudes from the thin tube portion 8 is contained within the needle tube portion 7 (so as not to protrude from the needle tube portion 7).

[0035] Furthermore, even if the needle tube section 7 is inserted into the blood and blood comes into contact with its outer surface, the diameter is set to be small so that blood does not enter the inside of the needle tube section 7. The tip of the first electrode piece 1 inside the needle tube section 7 does not come into contact with blood, but rather with dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood. This also makes cleaning the needle tube section 7 easy. For example, blood adhering to the outer surface of the needle tube section 7 can be easily washed off by inserting it into a dedicated ultrasonic cleaner, allowing for safe reuse.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first electrode piece 1, the second electrode piece 2, and the electrolyte 3 are provided inside the container 4 or inside the tubular portion 8 of the container 4, with the tip of the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the tip of the tubular portion 8 provided inside the needle tube portion 7. When the needle tube portion 7 is inserted into the rubber stopper 6 of the blood collection tube 5, the dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood in the blood collection tube 5 comes into contact with the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the tubular portion 8, for example, and also comes into contact with the electrolyte 3 interposed in the gap 9 created by the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the tubular portion 8. As a result, a three-phase interface is formed in the gap 9 where the first electrode piece 1, hydrogen, and the electrolyte 3 are simultaneously present, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood is measured by measuring the electromotive force value of the cell.

[0037] Specifically, for example, when the first electrode piece 1 is made of platinum wire (Pt wire) (Example 1), as shown in Figure 1, the container 4 is configured to have the tubular portion 8 protruding in communication with the tip of the container 4, from which the base ends of the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2 protrude from the base end closure portion 11, and the tip of the first electrode piece 1 protrudes from the tip of this tubular portion 8 through the gap 9.

[0038] In this embodiment 1, the protruding tip of the first electrode piece 1, which protrudes from the tubular portion 8 within the needle tube portion 7, is provided inside the needle tube portion 7. The liquid electrolyte 3 is filled into the tubular portion 8, and the electrolyte 3 is also filled into the void 9 through which the first electrode piece 1 protrudes from the tip of the tubular portion 8.

[0039] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the needle tube portion 7 is inserted into the rubber stopper 6 of the blood collection tube 5, the dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood inside the blood collection tube 5 comes into contact with the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the capillary portion 8 and also comes into contact with the electrolyte 3 interposed in the gap 9. As a result, a three-phase interface is formed in the gap 9 at the tip of the capillary portion 8, where the first electrode piece 1, hydrogen, and the electrolyte 3 are simultaneously present, allowing the dissolved hydrogen gas concentration in the blood to be measured by measuring the electromotive force value of the cell.

[0040] In this embodiment, a capillary section 10 is provided within the tubular section 8, and the first electrode piece 1 is contained within this capillary section 10. The capillary section 10 is used as an air vent, and the liquid electrolyte 3 is filled into the tubular section 8.

[0041] Therefore, even if the tubular portion 8 is narrow, by bringing the tip of the capillary portion 10 close to the inner surface of the tip of the tubular portion 8, the air inside the tip of the tubular portion 8 can be released, allowing the liquid electrolyte 3 to be easily filled up to the tip of the tubular portion 8. As a result, the electrolyte 3 can also be filled into the gap 9 through which the first electrode piece 1 passes, and the three-phase interface can be easily formed in this gap 9.

[0042] Furthermore, in the case where the first electrode piece 1 is a palladium wire (Pd wire) (Example 2), when the tip of the palladium wire comes into contact with hydrogen gas, the information that it has come into contact with hydrogen gas is transmitted to the base end of the wire. For example, the chemical potential of all hydrogen atoms in the wire changes due to the incorporation of hydrogen atoms, so it is not necessary to fill the part that comes into contact with hydrogen gas with electrolyte 3. In other words, if the first electrode piece 1 is simply made to protrude from the tip of the tubular section 8 and come into contact with hydrogen gas, it is not necessary to fill the tubular section 8 with electrolyte 3, and the electrolyte 3 can simply be contained within the container 4. Therefore, in this case, the electrolyte 3 is simply provided in the container 4 so as to be in contact with the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2, separated from each other.

[0043] Therefore, in this embodiment 2, as shown in Figure 3, the tubular portion 8 is configured to protrude from the tip of the container 4 from which the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2 protrude from the proximal closure portion 11, and the tip of the first electrode piece 1 protrudes from the tip of this tubular portion 8. Furthermore, the electrolyte 3 is provided in the container 4, spaced apart from the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2 inside the container 4, so as to be in contact with each of them.

[0044] Therefore, when the needle tube portion 7 is inserted into the rubber stopper 6 of the blood collection tube 5, the dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood inside the blood collection tube 5 comes into contact with the first electrode piece 1 protruding from the tubular portion 8, and the first electrode piece 1 that has come into contact with the electrolyte 3 inside the container 4. As a result, a three-phase interface is formed in the portion of the container 4 where the first electrode piece 1 and the electrolyte 3 come into contact, with the first electrode piece 1, hydrogen, and the electrolyte 3 existing simultaneously, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood is measured by measuring the electromotive force value of the cell.

[0045] Furthermore, in all embodiments, the system is configured to include a blood collection tube insertion guide tube section 12 (blood collection tube holder) that allows the needle tube section 7 to pierce the rubber stopper 6 of the blood collection tube 5 when the blood collection tube 5 is inserted, thereby enabling measurement of blood hydrogen concentration.

[0046] Specifically, the configuration includes a needle tube section 7 inserted and held within one side, and a blood collection tube insertion guide tube section 12 on the opposite side into which the blood collection tube 5 is inserted with the rubber stopper 6 at its tip.

[0047] The blood collection tube insertion guide tube section 12 is provided in a protruding state from the container 4. It guides and holds the insertion of the blood collection tube 5, which is inserted through an opening provided on the opposite side of the guide tube body (it slides and guides the insertion in a positioning state). By connecting the container 4 to a connecting part provided on one side, the needle tube section 7 is inserted and held in a protruding state. When the blood collection tube 5 is inserted through the opening on the opposite side, the needle tube section 7, which is held in a protruding state on one side, pierces the rubber stopper 6 and holds it in place.

[0048] In other words, the blood collection tube insertion guide tube section 12 has a connection section to the container 4 on one side of the guide tube section body which slides and guides the insertion of the blood collection tube 5 in a positioned state. By connecting with the container 4, the needle tube section 7, which contains a thin tube section 8 protruding from the container 4 on one side, is held to protrude and remain inside on one side, and the opposite side has an opening for inserting the blood collection tube 5 that can be closed.

[0049] This allows the needle tube 7 to be easily inserted into the blood in the blood collection tube 5 simply by inserting the blood collection tube 5, making it possible to quickly and easily measure the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood one after another.

[0050] The configuration of the hydrogen gas concentration sensor in this embodiment will be described in more detail. In this embodiment, the basic structure of the sensor described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-6428, developed by the present inventors, is adopted. In other words, the basic structure when a platinum wire (Pt wire) is used as the first electrode piece 1 is the basic structure of the sensor described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-6428.

[0051] Specifically, the first electrode piece 1 (platinum wire) has H2(-)|50mol / m 3The first electrode piece 1 includes a first electrode material that exhibits a standard electromotive force value of 0.8V or higher for a cell composed of H2SO4|material sample (+), and the second electrode 2 includes a second electrode material that exhibits a standard electromotive force value of less than 0.8V for a cell with the same configuration. The first electrode piece 1 penetrates the electrolyte 3, and the electrode end (protruding tip) of the first electrode piece 1 is exposed to the outside of the container 4, with a gap 9 formed between the first electrode piece 1 and the end of the container 4.

[0052] As mentioned above, the configuration is such that a three-phase interface of the first electrode piece 1, hydrogen, and electrolyte 3 is formed in the void 9 portion.

[0053] Furthermore, the first electrode material may be platinum, platinum alloys, or materials containing these, and the second electrode material may contain at least one of tungsten, tungsten alloys, nickel, nickel alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, copper, copper alloys, iron, iron alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, or materials containing these.

[0054] Furthermore, the electrolyte 3 housed within the container 4 is configured to include a first electrode piece 1 (detection electrode piece) and a second electrode piece 2 (counter electrode piece) that are in contact at a distance from each other, as well as a third electrode piece 14 (compensation electrode piece), which will be described later.

[0055] Because it employs this basic structure, it is a hydrogen gas concentration sensor capable of detecting the concentration of hydrogen gas present in high-temperature, high-humidity environments, as well as in special gases and liquids used in chemical industries.

[0056] Furthermore, since this embodiment employs such a basic structure, when inserted into a hydrogen gas-containing medium, a three-phase interface is formed between the first electrode piece 1, hydrogen, and electrolyte 3. As a result, the first electrode piece 1 functions as a detection electrode for hydrogen gas, and upon contact with hydrogen gas, the chemical potential of (atomic) hydrogen changes significantly. The second electrode piece 2 functions as a reference electrode that acts as a counter electrode to hydrogen gas, and upon contact with hydrogen gas, its chemical potential hardly changes, or changes only by a tiny amount. Therefore, by measuring the electromotive force of the cell, that is, by measuring the difference in electromotive force between the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2, the hydrogen gas concentration can be measured.

[0057] Furthermore, if the first electrode piece 1 is made of a platinum-based material, hydrogen molecules are dissociated into hydrogen atoms, resulting in rapid release of hydrogen gas adsorbed on the first electrode piece 1. This allows for instantaneous measurement of hydrogen concentration dissolved in blood, making it suitable as a detection electrode for a highly responsive hydrogen gas concentration sensor.

[0058] Furthermore, the electrolyte 3 can be composed of an electrolyte such as phosphoric acid that has excellent adhesion to the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2. In addition to the electrolyte material such as phosphoric acid, this electrolyte 3 may also include a structural reinforcing material such as glass wool. In this case, the strength of the electrolyte 3 can be increased, and the adhesion to the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2 can be further increased.

[0059] Furthermore, the container 4 is preferably made of glass, resin, ceramics, or the like to ensure insulation from the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2.

[0060] Furthermore, the void 9 can be formed, for example, by utilizing the difference in thermal expansion between the material constituting the container 4 (and the tubular portion 8 integrally formed thereon) and the first electrode material constituting the first electrode piece 1. Alternatively, grooves can be made on the side surface of the first electrode piece 1, or multiple first electrode pieces 1 can be prepared and twisted together. It can also be formed by applying a porous plating to the surface of the first electrode piece 1, or by coating the surface of the first electrode piece 1 with porous ceramics / zeolite or ceramic microparticles. On the other hand, the void 9 can be composed of pores in a porous material that close off the opening of the tubular portion of the container 4. Examples of such materials include polymer film porous ceramics and zeolites.

[0061] Furthermore, since the detection sensitivity changes depending on the ambient temperature, a linear third electrode piece 14 for temperature compensation is provided to eliminate the influence of the ambient temperature. This third electrode piece 14 is also arranged so as to be separated from the electrolyte 3 from the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2. In addition, since this third electrode piece 14 is a temperature compensation electrode piece and is arranged to counteract the ambient temperature of the sensor, i.e., the ambient temperature change of the first electrode piece 1 which is the detection electrode, it is preferable that it be made of the same material as the first electrode piece 1.

[0062] Furthermore, the hydrogen gas concentration is detected by the electromotive force generated between the first electrode piece 1 and the second electrode piece 2, and this electromotive force is generated based on the relational formula described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-64282. Other specific configurations and conditions are also as described in the same document.

[0063] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the specific configuration of each constituent element can be designed as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1 1st electrode piece 2 Second electrode piece 3 Electrolytes 4 containers 5. Blood collection tube (blood collection tube) 6. Rubber stopper 7 Needle tube section 8. Capillary section 9 void 10 Capillary section 11 Proximal occlusion 12. Guide tube section for blood collection tube insertion 13 Connectors 14 Third electrode piece (compensation electrode piece)

Claims

1. The device is configured to consist of a first electrode piece, a second electrode piece, an electrolyte in which the first electrode piece and the second electrode piece are in contact while separated, and a container for housing the first electrode piece, the second electrode piece, and the electrolyte. The first electrode piece is H ２ (-)|50mol / m 3 H 2 SO 4 The configuration includes a first electrode material whose standard electromotive force value for a cell composed of a material sample (+) is 0.8V or higher. The second electrode piece is H ２ (-)|50mol / m 3 H 2 SO 4 The configuration includes a second electrode material in which the standard electromotive force value of the cell composed of the material sample (+) is less than 0.8V. The hydrogen gas concentration sensor is configured such that the first electrode piece protrudes from the outside of the container, It is equipped with a needle tube that is inserted into the rubber stopper of the blood collection tube containing the collected blood. Within the needle tube portion, a tubular portion is provided, which is part of the container, and within this needle tube portion, the first electrode piece is provided, which protrudes from the tubular portion of the container. The container or the tubular portion of the container is configured to have the first electrode piece, the second electrode piece, and the electrolyte provided within it. When the needle tube portion is inserted into the rubber stopper of the blood collection tube, the dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood inside the blood collection tube comes into contact with the first electrode piece protruding from the tubular portion and also comes into contact with the electrolyte interposed in the gap created by the first electrode piece protruding from the tubular portion, or with the electrolyte inside the tubular portion or the container. Alternatively, the first electrode piece protruding from the tubular portion is in contact with the electrolyte inside the tubular portion or the container, A hydrogen gas concentration sensor characterized in that a three-phase interface is formed by the simultaneous presence of the first electrode piece, hydrogen, and the electrolyte, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood is measured by measuring the electromotive force value of the cell.

2. The tubular portion protrudes from the tip of the container, from which the first electrode piece and the second electrode piece protrude from the base-end closure portion, and is in communication with the container as part of the container. The tip of the first electrode piece protrudes from the tip of this tubular section through the gap, The configuration is such that the thin tube portion is provided within the tip of the needle tube portion, and the tip of the first electrode piece protruding from the thin tube portion is provided. The liquid electrolyte is filled into the tubular portion and the electrolyte is filled and interposed in the void. The hydrogen gas concentration sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that when the needle tube portion is inserted into the rubber stopper of the blood collection tube, the dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood inside the blood collection tube comes into contact with the first electrode piece protruding from the tubular portion and also comes into contact with the electrolyte interposed in the void, thereby forming a three-phase interface in the void portion at the tip of the tubular portion where the first electrode piece, hydrogen, and the electrolyte are simultaneously present, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood is measured by measuring the electromotive force value of the cell.

3. The hydrogen gas concentration sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that a capillary section is provided within the tubular section, the first electrode piece is provided within the capillary section, and the liquid electrolyte is filled into the tubular section with the capillary section serving as an air vent.

4. The tubular portion protrudes from the tip of the container, from which the first electrode piece and the second electrode piece protrude from the base-end closure portion, and is in communication with the container as part of the container. The tip of the first electrode piece protrudes from the tip of this tubular section. The configuration is such that the thin tube portion is provided within the tip of the needle tube portion, and the tip of the first electrode piece protruding from the thin tube portion is provided. The hydrogen gas concentration sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that when the needle tube portion is inserted into the rubber stopper of the blood collection tube, the dissolved hydrogen gas in the blood inside the blood collection tube comes into contact with the first electrode piece protruding from the tubular portion, and the first electrode piece that has come into contact with the electrolyte inside the container, thereby forming a three-phase interface where the first electrode piece, hydrogen, and the electrolyte are simultaneously present at the contact point between the first electrode piece and the electrolyte, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration in the blood is measured by measuring the electromotive force value of the cell.

5. The device is equipped with a guide tube section on the opposite side into which the needle tube portion is inserted and held, and into which the blood collection tube is inserted and held with the rubber stopper at its tip. The hydrogen gas concentration sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the blood collection tube insertion guide tube portion guides and holds the blood collection tube inserted from the opposite opening, and when inserted, the needle tube portion pierces and holds the rubber stopper of the blood collection tube.

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