Device, method and system for obtaining permeate from a feed solution

Abstract

The device, e.g., a sensing cartridge, includes a first member, a second member coupled to the first member, a third member coupled to the second member, and a fourth member coupled to the third member. The first member is configured to separate plasma from whole blood, the whole blood including cellular components having a hydrodynamic diameter of greater than 0.01 μm. The second member is configured to wick the plasma from the whole blood, and the second member wicks ammonium (NH4) in the plasma to shift the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia (NH3) gas. + The third element is configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by a shift in phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas. The fourth element is configured to act on ammonia gas.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to permeate extraction devices, and more particularly to devices, methods, and systems for extracting permeate from a feed solution, such as ammonia gas from whole blood, for use in constituent measurement systems. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0002] Measuring constituents in a solution can involve multiple steps, including separating the permeate from the solution and measuring the constituents from the permeate. The process of separating the permeate from the solution introduces variability, such as time and temperature during sample handling, sample collection procedures, laboratory environmental conditions, and individual patient conditions. Such variability often adversely affects constituent measurement by limiting accuracy and efficiency. Efforts to improve constituent measurement include implementing multiple layers, chemical additives, and / or different extraction techniques in conventional permeate extraction devices. However, multiple layers, chemical additives, and / or different extraction techniques can complicate constituent measurement because conventional permeate extraction devices may not be able to tolerate certain solutions and / or may not be able to separate the permeate from the solution. Therefore, there is a need for a permeate extraction device that efficiently separates the permeate from the solution while still providing accurate constituent measurement. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and method for extracting a permeate from a feed solution is disclosed. A system for quantifying constituents in a feed solution is also disclosed.

[0004] A device (e.g., a sensing cartridge) for extracting permeate from a feed solution includes a first member and a second member associated with or coupled to the first member, the first member configured to separate components from the feed solution, the components having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 micrometers (μm), and the second member configured to wick permeate from the first member.

[0005]

[0005] A method for extracting a permeate from a feed solution includes separating components having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 μm from the feed solution using a first member and wicking the permeate from the first member using a second member.

[0006] A system for quantifying constituents in a feed solution includes a sensing cartridge and a reader. The sensing cartridge includes a first member and a second member associated with or coupled to the first member. The first member is configured to separate components from the feed solution, the components having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 μm. The second member is configured to wick the permeate from the first member to shift the phase equilibrium of the constituents in the permeate to a gaseous state. The reader is configured to receive and removably couple to the sensing cartridge and quantify the constituents in the sensing cartridge based on at least one of optical sensing, electrochemical sensing, and electrical sensing.

[0007] Another system for quantifying constituents in a feed solution includes a sensing cartridge, an optoelectronic reader, and a processor. The sensing cartridge includes a first member, a second member associated with or coupled to the first member, a third member associated with or coupled to the second member, and a fourth member associated with or coupled to the third member. The first member is configured to separate a component from the feed solution, the component having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 micrometers (μm). The second member is configured to wick a permeate from the feed solution and act on the constituents in the permeate to shift the phase equilibrium of the constituents to a gaseous state. The third member is configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by the shift in the phase equilibrium of the constituents to a gaseous state. The fourth member is configured to react to the diffusing gas of the constituents. The optoelectronic reader includes a sensing light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit light toward the sensing cartridge and a sensing photodiode configured to sense reflected light from the sensing cartridge and provide a measurement based on the reflected light. The processor is configured to quantify the constituents based on the measurement.

[0008] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a device and method for extracting ammonia from whole blood are disclosed. A system for quantifying ammonia gas in whole blood is also disclosed.

[0009]

[0009] A device for extracting ammonia from whole blood, such as a sensing cartridge, includes a first member, a second member associated with or coupled to the first member, a third member associated with or coupled to the second member, and a fourth member associated with or coupled to the third member. The first member is configured to separate plasma from the whole blood, the whole blood including cellular components having a hydrodynamic diameter of greater than 0.01 μm. The second member is configured to wick the plasma from the whole blood, and the second member wicks ammonium (NH4) in the plasma to shift the phase equilibrium of ammonium to ammonia (NH3) gas.+ The second member acts on the ammonium hydroxide, the third member is configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by a shift in phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas, and the fourth member is configured to act on ammonia gas.

[0010]

[0010] A method for extracting ammonia from whole blood includes separating plasma from the whole blood by a first member, the whole blood containing cellular components having a hydrodynamic diameter of greater than 0.01 μm, and wicking the plasma from the whole blood by a second member, the second member acting on the ammonium in the plasma to shift the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas.

[0011] A system for quantifying ammonia in whole blood includes a sensing cartridge and a reader. The sensing cartridge includes a first member, a second member associated with or coupled to the first member, a third member associated with or coupled to the second member, and a fourth member associated with or coupled to the third member. The first member is configured to separate plasma from whole blood, the whole blood containing cellular components having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 μm. The second member is configured to wick plasma from the whole blood, the second member acting on ammonium in the plasma to shift the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas, and the third member is configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by the shift in phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas. The fourth member is configured to act on ammonia gas. The reader is configured to receive and removably couple to the sensing cartridge and quantify ammonia gas in the sensing cartridge based on at least one of optical sensing, electrochemical sensing, and electrical sensing.

[0012] Another system for quantifying ammonia in whole blood includes a sensing cartridge, an optoelectronic reader, and a processor. The sensing cartridge includes a first member, a second member associated with or coupled to the first member, a third member associated with or coupled to the second member, and a fourth member associated with or coupled to the third member. The first member is configured to separate plasma from whole blood, the whole blood containing cellular components having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 μm. The second member is configured to wick plasma from the whole blood, the second member acting on ammonium in the plasma to shift the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas, and the third member is configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by the shift in phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas. The fourth member is configured to act on ammonia gas. The optoelectronic reader includes a light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit light toward the sensing cartridge and a photodiode configured to sense reflected light from the sensing cartridge and provide a measurement based on the reflected light, and a processor configured to quantify the ammonia gas based on the measurement.

[0013] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a device and method for extracting ammonia from urine is disclosed. A system for quantifying ammonia gas in urine is also disclosed.

[0014]

[0014] A device for extracting ammonia from urine, such as a sensing cartridge, includes a first member, a second member associated with or coupled to the first member, a third member associated with or coupled to the second member, and a fourth member associated with or coupled to the third member. The first member is configured to separate a supernatant from the urine, the urine containing cellular components having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 μm. The second member is configured to wick the supernatant from the urine, the second member acting on ammonium in the plasma to shift the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas, and the third member is configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by the shift in phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas. The fourth member is configured to act on ammonia gas.

[0015]

[0015] A method for extracting ammonia from urine includes separating a supernatant from whole blood by a first member, the urine containing cellular components having a hydrodynamic diameter of greater than 0.01 μm, and wicking plasma from the urine by a second member, the second member acting on the ammonium in the supernatant to shift the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas.

[0016]

[0016] A system for quantifying ammonia in urine includes a sensing cartridge and a reader. The sensing cartridge includes a first member, a second member associated with or coupled to the first member, a third member associated with or coupled to the second member, and a fourth member associated with or coupled to the third member. The first member is configured to separate a supernatant from urine, the urine containing cellular components having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 μm. The second member is configured to wick the supernatant from the urine, the second member acting on ammonium in plasma to shift the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas, and the third member is configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by the shift in phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas. The fourth member is configured to act on ammonia gas. The reader is configured to receive and removably couple to the sensing cartridge and quantify ammonia gas in the sensing cartridge based on at least one of optical sensing, electrochemical sensing, and electrical sensing.

[0017] Another system for quantifying ammonia in urine includes a sensing cartridge, an optoelectronic reader, and a processor. The sensing cartridge includes a first member, a second member associated with or coupled to the first member, a third member associated with or coupled to the second member, and a fourth member associated with or coupled to the third member. The first member is configured to separate a supernatant from urine, the urine containing cellular components having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 μm. The second member is configured to wick the supernatant from the urine, the second member acting on ammonium in the plasma to shift the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas, and the third member is configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by the shift in phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas. The fourth member is configured to act on ammonia gas. The optoelectronic reader includes a light-emitting diode (LED) configured to emit light toward the sensing cartridge and a photodiode configured to sense reflected light from the sensing cartridge and provide a measurement based on the reflected light. The processor is configured to quantify the ammonia gas based on the measurements.

[0018]

[0018] It is understood that other aspects of the devices and methods will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, in which various aspects of the devices and methods are shown and described by way of example. As will be understood, these aspects may be implemented in other different forms, and their several details may be modified in various other respects. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

[0019]

[0019] Various aspects of devices and methods are illustrated in the following detailed description, by way of example and not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1]

[0020] A system for measuring permeate from a feed solution is shown, including an optoelectronic reader, a sensing cartridge, and a display device. [Figure 2A]

[0021] An isometric view of an optoelectronic reader is shown. [Figure 2B]

[0022] 2B is a top perspective view of the optoelectronic reader of FIG. 2A. [Figure 3A]

[0023] 1 shows a sensing cartridge having a member set having two members. [Figure 3B]

[0024] 1 shows a sensing cartridge having a member set with three members. [Figure 3C]

[0025] 1 shows a sensing cartridge having a member set with four members. [Figure 3D]

[0026] 1 shows a sensing cartridge having two member sets each having two members. [Figure 3E]

[0027] 1 shows a sensing cartridge having two member sets with four members. [Figure 4A]

[0028] 1 shows the application of a feed solution to a member set of a sensing cartridge, the member set including two members. [Figure 4B]

[0029] 10 shows an example in which a feed solution is further applied to a component set of a sensing cartridge, the component set including two components. [Figure 5]

[0030] 10 shows the application of a feed solution to a member set of a sensing cartridge, the member set including a zero member. [Figure 6]

[0031] 1 shows the application of a feed solution to a member set of a sensing cartridge, the member set including three members. [Figure 7]

[0032] 1 shows the application of a feed solution to a member set of a sensing cartridge, the member set including four members. [Figure 8]

[0033] The application of a feed solution to a set of components of a sensing cartridge is shown, the set of components including various components. [Figure 9]

[0034] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a sensing cartridge coupled to a gas detection member. [Figure 10]

[0035] 1 shows a micrograph of the feed solution receiving surface of the thin film of the first component of the sensing cartridge. [Figure 11]

[0036] 10 shows optical images of the nonwoven second member and the woven second member of the sensing cartridge. [Figure 12]

[0037] 10 is a table showing the permeability and wicking properties of the second member of the sensing cartridge. [Figure 13]

[0038] 1 shows a second member of the sensing cartridge having a hydrophobic pattern and a hydrophilic pattern. [Figure 14]

[0039] 10 is a table showing the characteristics and gas diffusion time of the third member of the sensing cartridge. [Figure 15]

[0040] Illustrates a graph of the phase equilibrium between ammonium (NH4 +) and ammonia (NH3). [Figure 16]

[0041] Illustrates a graph of the phase equilibrium between carbon dioxide (CO2), bicarbonate (HCO3 -), and carbonate (CO3 2-). [Figure 17]

[0042] 1 shows a graph of the frequency response of the gas sensing layer to 3.4 ppm ammonia as a function of the molar ratio of polymer to indicator. [Figure 18]

[0043] 10 shows a graph of the measured response of an optoelectronic reader to sensing cartridges with different constituent concentrations. [Figure 19]

[0044] 1 shows a graph of the calibration curve of the photoelectron reader 300 seconds after adding the feed solution to the sensing cartridge. [Figure 20]

[0045] 1 shows a graph of ammonia measurements. [Figure 21A]

[0046] 10 shows a graph of the measured response of an optoelectronic reader to a feed solution of effluent. [Figure 21B]

[0047] 21B shows the response of the sensing cartridge characteristics to the feed solution of the effluent of FIG. 21A. [Figure 22]

[0048] 1 shows a graph of the measured response of an optoelectronic reader to a supply solution of urine. [Figure 23]

[0049] 1 is a table of the cellular components and water of body fluids. [Figure 24]

[0050] 1 is a table of phase change equilibria for multiple species. [Figure 25]

[0051] 1 is a flow chart of a method for extracting permeate from a feed solution and quantifying the constituents of the feed solution. [Figure 26]

[0052] 1 is a flowchart showing a method for extracting plasma from whole blood and quantifying ammonia gas in the whole blood. Modes for carrying out the invention

[0021]

[0053] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the accompanying drawings is intended to describe various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details.

[0022]

[0054] The words "exemplary" or "embodiment" are used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation or aspect described herein as "exemplary" or "embodiment" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects of the disclosure. Likewise, the term "aspect" does not require that all aspects of the disclosure include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

[0023]

[0055] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The following embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the aspects described herein. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these and other aspects may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. Furthermore, well-known steps in process methods may be omitted from the flow diagrams presented herein so as not to obscure aspects of the disclosure. Similarly, well-known components in devices may be omitted from the figures and descriptions thereof presented herein so as not to obscure aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024]

[0056] In clinical laboratory medicine, ammonia gas (NH3) and ammonium ions (NH4 + ), total ammonia (e.g., the sum of dissolved ammonia gas and ammonium ions), carbon dioxide gas (CO2), bicarbonate ions (HCO3 -), and total carbon dioxide (e.g., the sum of dissolved carbon dioxide gas, bicarbonate ions, and carbonate salts) are routinely measured using techniques including phase change characteristics, enzymatic techniques, or partial pressure gas analyzers. Clinical tests examining plasma or serum levels of these analytes may require separation of plasma or serum from whole blood by centrifugation prior to measurement. After separation of the plasma or serum, these analytes can be measured using enzymatic, photometric, ion exchange, and / or ion-specific electrode methods. However, the implementation of conventional techniques can be limited because the equipment used to measure these analytes is expensive, bulky, often requires regular maintenance, and is only available to trained personnel working in clinical laboratories. Furthermore, measurements generated by conventional techniques can be inefficient and / or inaccurate due to various issues discussed above, including several confounding variables.

[0025]

[0057] With regard to the measurement of ammonium and / or total ammonia, plasma and serum measurements can easily be confounded using current laboratory techniques. Preanalytical variations in duration and temperature conditions during sample processing can confound traditional techniques. For example, both sample processing time and temperature conditions affect the extent to which cellular metabolism within the sample increases the total ammonia concentration within the sample. Preanalytical variations in blood sample collection procedures can also confound traditional techniques. For example, the use of a tourniquet and "milking" tissue (to obtain a sufficient blood sample for measurement) both affect the degree of hemolysis within the sample, resulting in varying effects on the total ammonia concentration within the sample. Preanalytical variations in certain aspects of the sample processing procedure can also confound traditional techniques. For example, variations in the duration for which the sample tube is uncapped can alter the amount of ammonia gas that escapes from the surface of the sample, resulting in a decrease in the total ammonia content within the sample. Preanalytical variations in environmental conditions within a clinical laboratory can also confound traditional techniques. Examples of substances that can affect sample analysis results to varying degrees include ammonia used in detergents and ammonia produced by residual smoker breath.

[0026]

[0058] When measuring carbon dioxide gas, bicarbonate ion, and / or total carbon dioxide, plasma and serum measurements can easily be confused using conventional clinical laboratory techniques. Preanalytical variations in the duration and temperature conditions occurring during sample processing can confound conventional approaches. For example, both the time and temperature conditions of sample processing affect the extent to which cellular metabolism within the sample increases carbon dioxide gas and decreases bicarbonate ion content within the sample. Preanalytical variations in certain aspects of the sample processing procedure can also confound conventional approaches. For example, variations in the duration for which sample tubes are uncapped affect the extent to which carbon dioxide gas escapes from the sample surface, reducing the total carbon dioxide content within the sample. For example, leakage of carbon dioxide gas from an uncapped sample tube can decrease the bicarbonate concentration in the sample at a rate of 6 millimoles (mmol) per liter (L) per hour (hr) [mmol / L / hr].

[0027]

[0059] Regarding the measurement of ammonium and / or total ammonia, urine measurements can also be easily confounded using conventional techniques. Similar to blood measurements, variations in temperature conditions during sample processing, specific sample processing procedures, and laboratory environmental conditions each affect the ammonia concentration in the sample and analytical results to varying degrees. More specifically, in the case of urine samples, the highly variable and unpredictable components present in urine can further exacerbate variations in the analyte concentration in the sample before analysis. For example, the pH of urine is much more variable than that of blood, typically ranging from 4.5 to 8.0 depending on physiological conditions and renal health. The pH of the sample affects the extent to which the total ammonia contained in the sample is composed of ammonia gas and ammonium ion species. For example, in a urine sample with a pH of 5.0, the total ammonia is almost entirely ammonium ions, with only a small amount of dissolved ammonia gas. On the other hand, at a pH of 8.0, the total ammonia contains a significant amount of dissolved ammonia gas. For urine samples with such a relatively high pH, ​​there is a high potential for confounding due to variations in sample handling duration and temperature conditions, as well as variations in removing the cap from the sample container. Other components that may be present to varying degrees in urine samples (including free amino acids, proteins, cells, and microorganisms that degrade ureases) can also alter the total ammonia content of samples prior to analysis. For example, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp., Morganella morganii, and Corynebacterium bacteria produce urease, which hydrolyzes urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide. Because measuring ammonium and total ammonia in urine presents challenges, clinicians have used the "urine anion gap" calculation, based on the sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations in urine, to estimate (non-quantitatively) whether a particular urine specimen has relatively high or low ammonium and / or total ammonia content. However, the urinary anion gap can be unreliable.

[0028]

[0060] Arterial and venous blood gas analysis using whole blood samples involves the measurement or calculation of pH, carbon dioxide (partial pressure), oxygen (partial pressure), and total carbon dioxide, and is primarily performed using blood gas analyzers incorporating electrochemical techniques. Blood gas measurements can easily be confounded. For example, both sample processing time and temperature conditions affect the extent to which cellular metabolism within the sample increases carbon dioxide gas and decreases bicarbonate ion concentrations within the sample.

[0029]

[0061] As a result, conventional measurement techniques can be costly, difficult to implement, inefficient, and / or inaccurate.

[0030]

[0062] According to one embodiment, a device for obtaining a permeate from a feed solution includes a first member configured to separate a component from the feed solution, the component having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 micrometer (μm), and a second member associated with or coupled to the first member, the second member configured to wick the permeate from the first member. By separating the component from the feed solution and wicking the permeate, the component in the permeate can be easily extracted and / or measured. Therefore, measurement techniques using the resulting permeate can be more efficient and accurate.

[0031]

[0063] As described herein, a "feed solution" can contain dissolved gases, dissolved ions, solids, and / or biological materials. The feed solution can be an aqueous solution. Examples of aqueous sources include water, groundwater, surface water, reclaimed water, ocean water, industrial water, industrially produced water, and medical wastewater (e.g., dialysis water production wastewater). The feed solution can also be a biological fluid produced by an organism. A biological fluid is complex and can consist of a solvent (e.g., water) containing various solutes and / or suspended biological materials (e.g., dissolved gases, ions, chemical compounds, inorganic molecules, organic molecules, amino acids, proteins, cells). Examples of bodily fluids include, but are not limited to, blood, whole blood, plasma, serum, capillary fluid (e.g., commonly collected after a fingerstick or heel prick), interstitial fluid, lymph, mucus, phlegm, sputum, pus, cerebrospinal fluid, pericardial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, saliva, vomit, gastric juice, bile, chyle, colonic fluid, urine, sweat, sebum, earwax, tears, colonic mucosal fluid, aqueous humor, vitreous humor, synovial fluid, amniotic fluid, breast milk, semen, transudate, exudate, serous fluid, intracellular fluid, and extracellular fluid.

[0032]

[0064] Whole blood is a complex solution with a highly diverse composition and is often referred to as biological tissue. By volume, whole blood can be approximately 55% plasma and 45% cellular components. Blood is a bodily tissue composed of substances dissolved and suspended in the body fluids plasma or serum. Examples of substances include amino acids, proteins, platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells. Plasma is, for example, 90–92% water and 8–10% protein. To distinguish between "plasma" and "serum," plasma can be defined as the volume of liquid in a whole blood sample that has not yet clotted. Plasma contains clotting factors. Overall, proteins in plasma include fibrinogen and other clotting factors, globulins involved in immune responses, and albumin, which helps maintain osmotic balance. Plasma also contains ions and small molecules, such as sodium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, ammonium, potassium, hydrogen, hydroxide, amino acids, glucose, and vitamins. Serum, in contrast to plasma, can be the volume of fluid remaining after blood clotting in a whole blood sample. Serum may not contain clotting factors. The volume of serum may be slightly less than that of plasma.

[0033]

[0065] As described herein, a "component" may be a microorganism (e.g., bacteria, algae, yeast, fungi, viruses, etc.), a cellular component (e.g., red blood cells), or other components (e.g., ions, salts, molecules, proteins, molecular therapeutics, etc.) contained in a feed solution (e.g., whole blood). Examples of components contained in whole blood include red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and / or platelets (platelets). Examples of other components include hemoglobin, glucose, lipids, albumin, amino acids, creatinine, urea, or therapeutic molecules, etc.

[0034]

[0066] As described herein and as commonly used in the field of thin film science, a "permeate" is a liquid or fluid that is separated from a feed solution by selective transport through a thin film or similar structure. The remaining feed solution or other components that do not pass through the thin film may be referred to as the "retentate." The permeate may be a substance or fluid that has passed through a permeable or semipermeable thin film with macropores (pores with a diameter >50 nanometers (nm)), mesopores (pores with a diameter of 2-50 nm), or micropores (pores with a diameter <2 nm), or a dense structure in which the permeate is separated from other components in the feed solution. For example, if the feed solution is whole blood, the permeate may be plasma or serum from the whole blood, while the retentate includes larger components present in whole blood (e.g., red blood cells, white blood cells, etc.). As another example, if the feed solution to a macroporous membrane is wastewater containing microorganisms at a concentration of 6.6 x 10 colony-forming units of Escherichia coli (E. coli) per milliliter of feed solution, the permeate can be water with a microorganism concentration of less than 1.5 x 10 colony-forming units of E. coli per milliliter of permeate. As another example, if the feed solution to a dense semipermeable membrane is saline containing sodium chloride or other salts at a concentration of 2 to 30 grams (g) per liter (L) (g / L), the permeate can be water with a sodium chloride or salt concentration of <1 g / L. As another example, if the feed solution is a body fluid such as urine, after passage through a microporous or dense semipermeable membrane, the retentate will be concentrated urine containing large cellular components with an average diameter larger than the average pore size of the membrane pores, and the permeate will be a liquid that is primarily water and contains components with a hydrodynamic radius smaller than the average pore size of the membrane pores. Additionally, the liquid may be a flowable material (eg, a slurry, wet sludge, pumpable sediment, emulsion, foam, etc.) that includes at least one component that is a true liquid under treatment conditions.

[0035]

[0067] A "constituent" as used herein can be a dissolved ionic species or a dissolved gas. Examples of dissolved ionic species include ammonium (NH4 + ), bicarbonate (HCO3 - ), carbonate (CO32- ), hemoglobin, carbon monoxide (CO), cyanuric acid (HCN), chloride (Cl - ), proton (H + ), nitrate (NO3 - ), nitrite (NO2 - ), arsenite (AsO3 3- ), arsenate (AsO4 3- ), sulfate (SO4 2- Examples of dissolved gases include dissolved gases including at least one of ammonia (NH), carbon dioxide (CO), carbon monoxide (CO), cyanuric acid (HCN), chlorine (Cl), hydrogen (H), nitrogen dioxide (NO), nitric oxide (NO), arsenic trioxide (AsO), arsenic pentoxide (AsO), and sulfur dioxide (SO).

[0036]

[0068] As used herein, "separate" or "separating" can refer to separating components from a feed solution. For example, separation can refer to separating a recovery liquid and a permeate from a feed solution, as well as separating components from a feed solution. In one embodiment, separating components from a feed solution includes separating solids from liquids. In another embodiment, separating components from a feed solution includes separating liquid from liquid by a solid separation medium through openings or between individual particles in the medium.

[0037]

[0069] As used herein, "wick" or "wicking" may refer to the drawing of liquid (e.g., feed solution, permeate, etc.) by capillary action. In one embodiment, capillary action may be induced by structure (e.g., channels or pores) and / or surface tension. In another embodiment, capillary action may be induced by a chemical potential gradient, allowing for rapid drawing of permeate. Capillary action (sometimes referred to as "capillarity" or "capillary forces") may be described as the tendency of liquid within a capillary or absorbent material to rise or fall as a result of surface tension.

[0038]

[0070] 1 shows a system 100 for extracting permeate from a feed solution and quantifying the constituents of the feed solution. The system 100 includes an optoelectronic reader 102, a sensing cartridge 104, and a display device 106.

[0039]

[0071] The optoelectronic reader 102 is configured to receive and removably couple to the sensing cartridge 104. The optoelectronic reader 102 is also configured to obtain measurements of reflected light from the sensing cartridge 104 and quantify constituents of the feed solution based on the measurements. The constituents may be quantified, for example, in terms of amount or concentration. In one embodiment, the optoelectronic reader 102 includes multiple components (not shown) that the optoelectronic reader 102 measures and quantifies based on the reflected light and provides data to the display device 106. The multiple components may include light-emitting diodes (LEDs), sensing photodiodes, a microchip with memory and a processor, a communication interface, a printed circuit board (PCB), electronic environmental sensors (e.g., for temperature, relative humidity, and / or pressure detection), a power source (e.g., a battery), status indicator lights, and / or a receptacle for the sensing cartridge 104. The inclusion of multiple components in the optoelectronic reader 102 allows the optoelectronic reader 102 to operate as a handheld wireless device, improving measurement efficiency and user accessibility. An example of an optoelectronic reader 102 is described in more detail with reference to Figures 2A and 2B.

[0040]

[0072] In another embodiment, the reader may be an electronic reader. In this embodiment, the reader includes one or more gas-sensing electrodes instead of an LED and a sensing photodiode. The electronic reader includes a microchip with memory and a processor, a communication interface, a printed circuit board (PCB), electronic environmental sensors (e.g., for temperature, relative humidity, and / or pressure detection), a power source (e.g., a battery), status indicator lights, and / or a receptacle for the sensing cartridge 104.

[0041]

[0073] In either embodiment, the reader components can communicate with each other via a data and control bus. The processor may include a microprocessor, a central processing unit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), and / or a network processor. The processor may be configured to execute processing logic (e.g., algorithms, software instructions, etc.) stored in memory to perform the operations described herein. In general, the processor may include any suitable special-purpose processor specifically programmed with processing logic to perform the operations described herein.

[0042]

[0074] The memory may include, for example, but is not limited to, at least one of read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, dynamic RAM (DRAM), and static RAM (SRAM) that store computer-readable instructions executable by the processing unit. Generally, the memory includes any suitable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores computer-readable instructions executable by the processor to perform the operations described herein. In some examples, the reader may include two or more memory devices (e.g., dynamic memory and static memory).

[0043]

[0075] The sensing cartridge 104 is removably coupled to the optoelectronic reader 102. As an example, "removably coupled" may mean that a component (e.g., the sensing cartridge) may be attached to and / or detached from another corresponding component (e.g., the optoelectronic reader) via a coupling mechanism (e.g., a latch, pin, spring, magnet, or other coupling mechanism). By allowing the sensing cartridge 104 to be attached and detached from the optoelectronic reader 102, feed solution may be easily added to the sensing cartridge 104 and the sensing cartridge may be easily replaced or maintained. Examples of sensing cartridges 104 are described in further detail with reference to Figures 3A-3E.

[0044]

[0076] The display device 106 wirelessly connects to the optoelectronic reader 102 via a wireless connection 108. Examples of the wireless connection 108 include Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), or other similar wireless communications. In one embodiment, the display device 106 is configured to communicate with the optoelectronic reader 102 via the wireless connection 108. For example, the display device 106 is configured to receive data provided by the optoelectronic reader 102 (e.g., constituent quantification, raw measurements, measurement changes), process the data, and display the data to a user. The display device 106 displays the data to a user via a graphical user interface (GUI) 110. By way of example, the GUI 110 is generated by a computer program or software application. Examples of the display device 106 include smartphones, smartwatches, computers, and other similar devices capable of displaying data provided by the optoelectronic reader 102.

[0045]

[0077] Although system 100 is shown as including display device 106, in some embodiments, system 100 may not include display device 106. In such embodiments, optoelectronic reader 102 may include a display (not shown) and / or GUI (not shown) for displaying data to a user. As an example, the display and / or GUI may be on an exterior surface of optoelectronic reader 102. In such an example, the display and / or GUI may be controlled by a user to configure display settings, data settings, test settings, etc.

[0046]

[0078] 2A shows an isometric view of an optoelectronic reader 200. The optoelectronic reader 200 may represent one embodiment of the optoelectronic reader 102 shown in FIG. The optoelectronic reader 200 includes a housing 202, a sensor port 204, a power button 206, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C (USB-C) port 208, four LEDs implemented as LED1 210-1, LED2 210-2, LED3 210-3, and LED4 210-4, and an optional environmental port (not shown).

[0047]

[0079] The housing 202 encloses multiple components (not shown) (e.g., LEDs, sensing photodiodes, microchips, communication interfaces, PCB boards, electronic environmental sensors (e.g., for temperature, relative humidity, and / or pressure detection), power sources, status indicator lights, and / or sensor receptacles). The housing 202 may have a three-dimensional (3D) prismatic shape with multiple exterior surfaces. The multiple exterior surfaces may be curved, flat, angled, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the housing 202 includes multiple openings for the sensor port 204, power button 206, USB-C port 208, LEDs 210-1, 210-2, 210-3, 210-4, and environmental port. The openings may be circular, rectangular, trapezoidal, etc., and may be provided on one or more of the exterior surfaces of the housing 202. For example, openings for the power button 206, USB-C port 208, and LEDs 210-1, 210-2, 210-3, and 210-4 are on a first exterior surface, an opening for the environmental port is on a second exterior surface, and an opening for the sensor port 204 is on a third exterior surface.

[0048]

[0080] The sensor port 204 is configured to hold a sensing cartridge (e.g., sensing cartridge 104). For example, the sensing cartridge may be inserted into, attached to, and / or removably coupled to the sensor port 204. In one embodiment, the sensor port 204 is a rectangular opening parallel to the LED and sensing photodiode (described in further detail with reference to FIG. 2B ) in the housing 202. As such, when the sensor port 204 holds a sensing cartridge, the sensing cartridge may be parallel to and / or substantially opposite the LED and sensing photodiode. The sensor port 204 may also include a transparent layer (e.g., glass, plexiglass, or other similar transparent material) to allow light to be emitted by the LED onto the sensing cartridge, reflected by the sensing cartridge, and then measured by the sensing photodiode. While the sensor port 204 is shown as being centered on the outer edge of the optoelectronic reader 200, the sensor port may also be located on another edge and / or other outer surface of the optoelectronic reader.

[0049]

[0081] The power button 206 is configured to power the optoelectronic reader 200 on / off and / or reset the optoelectronic reader 200. As shown, the power button 206 is located near a corner of the optoelectronic reader 200, but may be located elsewhere on the optoelectronic reader 200. Additionally, although not shown, the power button 206 may be a switch or other power control mechanism for powering the optoelectronic reader 200 on / off.

[0050]

[0082] The USB-C port 208 is connected to a power source for the optoelectronic reader 200 and is configured to accommodate a USB-C input. In one embodiment, the optoelectronic reader 200 charges when a USB-C input is connected to the USB-C port 208. As shown, the USB-C port 208 is located between LED2 210-2 and LED3 210-3, but may be located elsewhere on the optoelectronic reader 200. Additionally, although the USB-C port 208 is configured to accommodate a USB-C input, the USB-C port may also be a micro-USB port, a USB Type-A port, a mini-USB port, an 8-pin Lightning port, or other charging port that accommodates a corresponding input.

[0051]

[0083] LEDs 210-1, 210-2, 210-3, and 210-4 emit light of a color corresponding to a predefined indication, for example, LED1 210-1 emits a yellow / orange light to indicate "low battery", LED2 210-2 emits a red light to indicate "charging battery", LED3 210-3 emits a white light to indicate "power on", and LED4 210-4 emits a blue light to indicate "Bluetooth connected".

[0052]

[0084] Although LEDs 210-1, 210-2, 210-3, and 210-4 are described as emitting light of particular colors with predefined indications, the LEDs are not limited to such colors and / or indications. For example, LEDs may change color or flash to indicate that optoelectronic reader 200 is in Bluetooth pairing mode, measurement mode, reset mode, etc. Also, while optoelectronic reader 200 is shown with four LEDs, optoelectronic reader 200 may include fewer than four LEDs or more than four LEDs.

[0053]

[0085] Although not shown, the optoelectronic reader 200 may also include an environmental port configured to connect to a peripheral device, such as a monitor, computer, mobile device, etc. In one embodiment, the environmental port is configured to provide data (e.g., measurements) to the peripheral device. In one embodiment, four environmental ports are arranged spatially adjacently. While the optoelectronic reader 200 may include four environmental ports in one spatial arrangement, the optoelectronic reader may also include fewer or more than four environmental ports in a different spatial arrangement.

[0054]

[0086] By way of example, optoelectronic reader 200 may have a length greater than 11.3 centimeters (cm), a width greater than 5.5 cm, and a height greater than 2.6 cm. Additionally, although optoelectronic reader 200 is described as having particular dimensions and components, optoelectronic reader 200 is not limited to such dimensions and / or components.

[0055]

[0087] Figure 2B shows a top perspective view of the optoelectronic reader 200 of Figure 2A. As shown, the top perspective view of the optoelectronic reader 200 shows the sensor port 204 described with reference to Figure 2A. The optoelectronic reader 200 is also shown to include two quantification components, implemented as a first quantification component 212-1 and a second quantification component 212-2.

[0056]

[0088] The first quantification component 212-1 is aligned adjacent to the second quantification component 212-2, and the first quantification component 212-1 and the second quantification component 212-2 may be symmetrical. By way of example, an edge of the first quantification component 212-1 is at least 10 millimeters (mm) away from an edge of the second quantification component. In one embodiment, the quantification components 212-1 and 212-2 are positioned near the center of the sensor port 204.

[0057]

[0089] Quantifying components 212-1 and 212-2 can use absorbance-based techniques to quantify the frequency response. In one embodiment, quantifying components 212-1 and 212-2 include amperometric, voltammetric, and / or potentiometric detectors. Quantifying components 212-1 and 212-2 can generate data from quantitative, semi-quantitative, or qualitative measurements. In an exemplary embodiment, quantifying components 212-1 and 212-2 generate data using a reflectance or hybrid reflectance-absorbance detection system. Examples of data include gaseous ammonia level measurements extracted from a feed or ammonia levels extracted from a liquid body fluid. In some embodiments, ammonia value or level measurements can be collected periodically over time, e.g., hourly, daily, etc., to obtain a series of measurements for comparison to a baseline ammonia level. In some embodiments, measurements are obtained using different detection cartridges. The comparison results, e.g., whether the resulting measurement is approaching or deviating from the baseline, provide useful feedback indicating the progression of the patient's liver health and the effectiveness of ammonia-lowering medications. In wastewater treatment plants, ammonium in water can be measured continuously (e.g., at least once daily) and compared to previous values ​​to assess the effectiveness of treatment technologies that reduce ammonium.

[0058]

[0090] The quantification components 212-1 and 212-2 may each include an LED and a sensing photodiode. As shown, the first quantification component 212-1 includes a first LED 214-1 and a first sensing photodiode 216-1, and the second quantification component 212-2 includes a second LED 214-2 and a second sensing photodiode 216-2. The LEDs 214-1 and 214-2 are configured to emit light toward a sensing cartridge (e.g., the sensing cartridge 104). In an exemplary embodiment, the LEDs 214-1 and 214-2 are thin-film chip technology configured to emit light with a wavelength of 606 nanometers (nm), a 120° emission type (Lambertian emitter), and a corrosion fastness class of 3B. By way of example, the LEDs 214-1 and 214-2 may be "OSRAM LO M67F" LEDs. The sensing photodiodes 216-1 and 216-2 are configured to detect / sense reflected light (generated by LEDs 214-1 and 214-2) from the sensing cartridge and provide a measurement, e.g., a voltage, based on the reflected light. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensing photodiodes 216-1 and 216-2 have dimensions of 6.4 mm x 3.9 mm x 1.2 mm, a half-sensitivity angle of ±65°, a floor life of 168 hours, a moisture sensitivity level (MSL) of 3, lead-free reflow soldering, and halogen-free. As an example, the sensing photodiodes 216-1 and 216-2 are "Vishay Semiconductors VBPW34S, VBPW34SR" photodiodes.

[0059]

[0091] Although optoelectronic reader 200 is shown as including two quantification components 212-1 and 212-2, two LEDs 214-1 and 214-2, and two sensing photodiodes 216-1 and 216-2, an optoelectronic reader may include fewer or more than two quantification components, LEDs, and / or sensing photodiodes. Furthermore, quantification components 212-1 and 212-2 are not limited to the locations or features as described with reference to FIG. 2B.

[0060]

[0092] FIG. 3A illustrates a sensing cartridge 300-1 with a component set having two components. The sensing cartridge 300-1 may represent one embodiment of the sensing cartridge 104 shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the sensing cartridge includes an upper case 302 with a feed input 304, a first component set 305-1 including a first component 306-1 and a second component 306-2, and a lower case 308 with a window 310. In some embodiments, the first component 306-1 and the second component 306-2 may be combined into a composite component. While the components of the sensing cartridge 300-1 appear separate in FIG. 3A, the components may also be combined such that the upper case 302 is connected (e.g., via pins) to the lower case 308 and includes the first component 306-1 and the second component 306-2.

[0061]

[0093] The upper case 302, which includes a feed inlet 304, is configured to contain a feed solution, and the feed solution can be disposed within the feed inlet 304. The feed input 304 of the upper case 302 allows the feed solution to contact the first member 306-1 (e.g., via a hole or opening). The feed input 304 can be circular, rectangular, etc. As an example, the feed input 304 is disposed along a central axis of the upper case 302.

[0062]

[0094] The first member 306-1 is configured to separate components from the feed solution. In one example, the component has a hydrodynamic diameter of greater than 0.01 micrometers (μm). In some embodiments, the first member includes a microfluidic structure with a channel diameter of less than 2,000 μm for separating the components from the feed solution. In some embodiments, the first member includes a separation layer that separates the components from the feed solution. The separation layer has an average pore size of greater than 0.01 μm and a void volume of less than 1 square centimeter (cm 2 ) per 0.5 microliters (μL) [μL / cm 2 ] and 60 μL / cm 2The first member 306-1 may be a thin film filter that is between 100 and 1200 microns. Examples of thin film filters include organic thin films, inorganic thin films, mixed matrix thin films, composite thin films, symmetric thin films, asymmetric thin films, etc. As an example, asymmetric thin films are typically made from polymeric materials and have a gradient of pore size and material density across the cross section of the film, such that the pores on one surface are smaller and denser than those on the other surface. Examples of thin films for the first member 306-1 are described in more detail with reference to FIG. 10.

[0063]

[0095] The second member 306-2 is configured to siphon the permeate from the first member 306-1. In one embodiment, the second member 306-2 acts on constituents in the permeate in a manner configured to shift the phase equilibrium of the constituents to a gaseous state. In another embodiment, the second member 306-2 is configured to transport the permeate to another member configured to act on the constituents in the permeate to shift the phase equilibrium of the constituents to a gaseous state.

[0064]

[0096] In one embodiment, the second element 306-2 includes a process, additive, or catalyst that acts on constituents in the permeate to shift their phase equilibrium toward a gaseous state. In another embodiment, the second element 306-2 includes an additive that induces a phase equilibrium shift in the permeate by changing the pH of the permeate to form an alkaline fluid with a pH of at least 8. Examples of alkaline pH-altering additives or additive combinations include sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium tetraborate, or sodium hydrogen orthophosphate. In yet another embodiment, the second element 306-2 includes an additive that induces a phase equilibrium shift in the permeate by changing the pH of the permeate to form an acidic fluid with a pH of up to 6.5. Examples of acidic pH-altering additives or additive combinations include low vapor pressure acids (e.g., citric acid, ascorbic acid, lactic acid).

[0065]

[0097] As used herein, an "additive" is an agent added to a liquid being treated (e.g., permeate) to produce a desired result or to promote a result that would not occur, would occur more slowly, or would occur incompletely without the additive. Examples of additives include filter aids, chemicals, seeding agents, buffers, etc.

[0066]

[0098] In some embodiments, the second member 306-2 induces a change in the phase equilibrium of the permeate by changing the temperature of the permeate to affect the solubility of the gas in the permeate. As one example, the temperature of the permeate is changed via the nanophotonic material contained in the second member 306-2, such that the nanophotonic material heats when irradiated with light in the visible spectrum. As another example, the temperature of the permeate is changed via a conductive member contained in the second member 306-2. To this end, the sensing cartridge 300-1 can include an electrical interface for applying an electric current to the conductive member to resistively heat the second member 306-2. The electrical interface of the sensing cartridge 300-1 is configured to couple with the electrical interface of the optoelectronic reader 102, with the reader being the source of the electric current.

[0067]

[0099] The second member 306-2 may include a wicking layer that wicks the permeate from the first member 306-1. Examples of wicking layers include woven paper, nonwoven paper, thin films, natural fiber structures, synthetic fiber structures, porous materials, and materials. Examples of materials include cotton materials and cotton derivatives, cellulose materials and cellulose derivatives, ethylcellulose materials and ethylcellulose derivatives, nitrocellulose materials and nitrocellulose derivatives, polyester materials and polyester derivatives, nylon materials and nylon derivatives, glass fiber materials and glass fiber derivatives, silica, titanium dioxide, carbon-based materials and carbon-based derivatives, organic nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles, and polyester terephthalate materials and polyester terephthalate derivatives that further include a pore structure that can draw the permeate into the pore structure of the second member by capillary force and a void volume that allows gas diffusion.

[0068]

[0100] The second member 306-2 may include a hydrophobic pattern region that penetrates the second member 306-2. The hydrophobic pattern region may be present on some or all of the second member 306-2. In one embodiment, the hydrophobic pattern region exhibits a hydrophobic deionized water drop contact angle. The hydrophobic deionized water drop contact angle may include a hydrophobic material, such as beeswax, paraffin, polydimethylsiloxane, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, cellulose, carbon-based materials, nanoparticles, silicon-based materials, or printing inks. The hydrophobic material may be applied to the second member 306-2 via screen printing, wax printing, solution casting, or spraying. Examples and features of the second member are described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 11-13.

[0069]

[0101] The first member 306-1 and / or the second member 306-2 may each have a length greater than 2 mm, a width greater than 2 mm, and a height greater than 10 micrometers (μm). The first member 306-1 and the second member 306-2 may contain one or more chelating agents (e.g., Cu) for binding and capturing amino acids in the feed solution or permeate. 2+ The first member 306-1 and the second member 306-2 may be in full or partial contact with each other. The first member 306-1 and the second member 306-2 are associated or bonded to each other to provide an interfacial contact that allows for the flow of liquid and gas while limiting resistance and back pressure. For example, the contact may be sufficient interfacial contact that allows for the formation of a pathway that allows for the flow of liquid and gas while minimizing flow resistance and back pressure. The flow of liquid and gas may be vertical, lateral, or a combination thereof. While the first member 306-1 and the second member 306-2 are shown as rectangular, the first member 306-1 and the second member 306-2 may be circular or other similar shapes.

[0070]

[0102] The bottom case 308, which includes a window 310, is configured to allow diffusion of gas from the second member 306-2 (e.g., via holes or openings). In one embodiment, the window 310 is a diffusion window. The window 310 may be circular, rectangular, etc. By way of example, the window 310 is positioned along the central axis of the bottom case 308. The window 310 may be aligned with a quantification component (e.g., first quantification component 212-1, second quantification component 212-2) of an optoelectronic reader (e.g., optoelectronic reader 102).

[0071]

[0103] The feed input 304 of the upper casing 302, the first member 306-1, the second member 306-2, and the window 310 of the lower casing 308 may each be centered relative to one another. For example, the sensing cartridge 300-1 may be greater than 2 cm in length, greater than 2 mm in width, and greater than 2 mm in height. The sensing cartridge 300-1 may be made of, for example, plastic, metal, paper, a composite material, or any combination thereof. While the sensing cartridge 300-1 is described as having particular dimensions and multiple members, the sensing cartridge 300-1 is not limited to such dimensions and / or members. For example, while the sensing cartridge 300-1 is shown as rectangular, the sensing cartridge may also be square, circular, or other similar shapes.

[0072]

[0104] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensing cartridge 300-1 is configured to separate plasma from whole blood and shift the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas. In the exemplary embodiment, the first member 306-1 is an asymmetric polysulfone thin film. The pore size of the first surface of the first member 306-1, which receives whole blood, is 100 μm (±25 μm). The second surface of the first member 306-1, which contacts the second member 306-2, has a pore size of approximately 500 nm to 1 μm. In the exemplary embodiment, the second member 306-2 is a cellulose porous filter paper with a thickness of 210 μm and a pore size of 8 μm. To fabricate the second member 306-2, the cellulose porous filter paper is washed three times with deionized water, dip-coated in an alkaline aqueous solution (e.g., sodium hydroxide) with a pH of 12, and dried at 60 degrees Celsius (°C). The planar surfaces of the first member 306-1 and the second member 306-2 are bonded together with the second surface of the first member 306-1 in contact with the second member 306-2. In one embodiment, to bond the first member 306-1 and the second member 306-2, the ends of the members are fused together using a heat sealer at a temperature above room temperature (e.g., 80°C) for 10 seconds. In another embodiment, to bond the first member 306-1 and the second member 306-2, the members are placed together within the sensing cartridge 300-1.

[0073]

[0105] Figure 3B shows a sensing cartridge 300-2 with a member set having three members. The sensing cartridge 300-2 may represent one embodiment of the sensing cartridge 104 shown in Figure 1. The sensing cartridge 300-2 includes an upper case 302, a feed input 304, a first member set 305-1, a first member 306-1, a second member 306-2, a lower case 308, and a window 310, as described with reference to Figure 3A.

[0074]

[0106] In contrast to FIG. 3A, the sensing cartridge 300-2 in FIG. 3B includes a third member 306-3 associated with or coupled to the second member 306-2. The third member 306-3 is included in the first member set 305-1 along with the first member 306-1 and the second member 306-2. The third member 306-3 is configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by a shift in the phase equilibrium of the constituents to a gaseous state. The third member 306-3 is associated with or coupled to the second member 306-2, and the third member 306-3 prevents further permeation of the liquid permeant through the second member. In some embodiments, the third member 306-3 and the second member 306-2 may be integrated as a composite layer. In one embodiment, the third member 306-3 is a hydrophobic, porous material that prevents liquid from passing through the third member and allows gas to diffuse through the third member. By way of example, the third member 306-3 is a thin hydrophobic polymer film having a porosity greater than 10%, a thickness less than 200 μm, and / or an average pore size less than 2 μm. The third member 306-3 may include a supported or unsupported thin hydrophobic polymer film, such as a fluoropolymer. Exemplary properties of the third member are described in further detail with reference to FIG. 14.

[0075]

[0107] In the exemplary embodiment of the sensing cartridge 300-2, the first member 306-1 is an asymmetric polysulfone thin film, the second member 306-2 is a cellulose porous filter paper having a thickness of 210 μm and a pore size of 8 μm, and the third member is a porous hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene thin film having an average pore size of 0.45 μm and a thickness of 50 μm.

[0076]

[0108] Figure 3C shows a sensing cartridge 300-3 with a member set having four members. The sensing cartridge 300-3 may represent one embodiment of the sensing cartridge 104 shown in Figure 1. The sensing cartridge 300-3 includes an upper case 302, a feed input 304, a first member set 305-1, a first member 306-1, a second member 306-2, a third member 306-3, a lower case 308, and a window 310, as described with reference to Figure 3B.

[0077]

[0109] In contrast to FIG. 3B, the sensing cartridge 300-3 in FIG. 3C includes a fourth member 306-4 associated with or coupled to the third member 306-3. The fourth member 306-4 is included in the first member set 305-1 along with the first member 306-1, the second member 306-2, and the third member 306-3. In some embodiments, the first member 306-1, the second member 306-2, the third member 306-3, and the fourth member 306-4 may be integrated into a single composite member. In some embodiments, the third member 306-3 may be a hollow, non-wetting spacer (e.g., a plastic ring) that separates the second member 306-2 and the fourth member 306-4 while allowing gas to reach the fourth member 306-4.

[0078]

[0110] In one embodiment, the fourth element 306-4 is configured to respond to the diffusing gas of the constituents in the permeate. As used herein, "respond to" may mean that the fourth element 306-4 changes a characteristic (e.g., color) in proportion to the amount of diffusing gas present. In another embodiment, the fourth element 306-4 is configured to capture the diffusing gas of the constituents in the permeate. As used herein, "capturing" may mean that the fourth element 306-4 interacts with the diffusing gas to quantify the gas. The fourth element 306-4 may include a gas-responsive layer that exhibits a proportional change in response to the amount of gas present. By way of example, the proportional change may be a proportional change in absorbance, a proportional change in absorbance, or a proportional change in frequency. The gas-responsive layer may include plasmonic nanoparticles or a redox mediator.

[0079]

[0111] In one embodiment, the gas-responsive layer comprises a polymer coating having a thickness of 1 nm to 100 μm on a transparent substrate (e.g., polymer or glass) and includes an indicator, a reactant, and / or a molecule responsive and / or reactive to a gas. In another embodiment, the gas-responsive layer comprises a pH indicator (e.g., bromophenol blue, bromocresol green, or indophenol) and an alkali, hydroxide, or base (e.g., sodium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate). In such an embodiment, the pH indicator for an alkali or base is at least 0.5, and the pH indicator or sensing probe has a pH of at least 0.001 microgram (μg) / cm. 2 [μg / cm 2 ]~100μg / cm 2 is deposited on a transparent substrate at a concentration of

[0080]

[0112] In one embodiment, the first member 306-1, the second member 306-2, the third member 306-3, and the fourth member 306-4 have the same dimensions. In another embodiment, the dimensions of the second member 306-2, the third member 306-3, and / or the fourth member 306-4 are 50% to 150% of the dimensions of the first member 306-1. In one embodiment, "dimensions" may refer to the height, width, length, perimeter, and / or area of ​​the first member 306-1, the second member 306-2, the third member 306-3, and / or the fourth member. The first member 306-1, the second member 306-2, the third member 306-3, and / or the fourth member 306-4 are associated or coupled to provide interfacial contact that allows for the flow of liquids and gases, limiting resistance and backpressure. For example, the contact may be sufficient interfacial contact to allow the formation of pathways that allow the flow of liquids and gases while minimizing flow resistance and back pressure.

[0081]

[0113] Figure 3D shows sensing cartridge 300-4 with two member sets, each member set including two members. Sensing cartridge 300-4 may represent one embodiment of sensing cartridge 104 shown in Figure 1. Sensing cartridge 300-4 includes upper case 302 and lower case 308, as described with reference to Figure 3A.

[0082]

[0114] In contrast to Figure 3A, the sensing cartridge 300-4 in Figure 3D includes two sets of supply inputs implemented as a first supply input 304-1 and a second supply input 304-2, two sets of first and second members implemented as a first member set 305-1 and a second member set 305-2, and two sets of windows implemented as a first window 310-1 and a second window 310-2. The first member set 305-1 includes a first member 306-1a and a second member 306-2a. The second member set 305-2 includes another first member 306-1b and another second member 306-2b. The supply inputs 304-1 and 304-2, the first members 306-1a and 306-1b, the second members 306-2a and 306-2b, and the windows 310-1 and 310-2 can be as described with reference to FIG. 3A. The windows 310-1 and 310-2 can be diffusion windows. Furthermore, the first window 310-1 can be aligned with the first quantification component 212-1 (FIG. 2B), and the second window 310-2 can be aligned with the second quantification component 212-2 (FIG. 2B).

[0083]

[0115] 3E illustrates a sensing cartridge 300-5 with two member sets, each including four members. The sensing cartridge 300-5 may represent one embodiment of the sensing cartridge 104 shown in FIG. 1. The sensing cartridge 300-5 includes an upper case 302, a first supply input 304-1, a second supply input 304-2, a first member set 305-1, a first member 306-1a, a second member 306-2a, a second member set 305-2, another first member 306-1b, another second member 306-2b, a lower case 308, a first window 310-1, and a second window 310-2, as described with reference to FIG. 3D.

[0084]

[0116] In contrast to Figure 3D, first member set 305-1 includes a third member 306-3a and a fourth member 306-4a, and second member set 305-2 includes another third member 306-3b and another fourth member 306-4b. The third members 306-3a and 306-3b and the fourth members 306-4a and 306-4b can be as described with reference to Figure 3C.

[0085]

[0117] In one embodiment, the first set of elements 305-1 is used as a control to obtain reference measurements, and the second set of elements 305-2 is used as a feed solution to obtain experimental measurements. To this end, the inlet 304-1 associated with the first set of elements 305-1 receives a zeroing material from which a first sensing photodiode of the optoelectronic reader obtains a baseline measurement, and the inlet 304-2 associated with the second set of elements 305-2 receives a feed solution from which a second sensing photodiode of the optoelectronic reader obtains a component measurement. The baseline measurement can be used to correct for drift in the second sensing photodiode.

[0086]

[0118] In the exemplary embodiment of the sensing cartridge 300-5, the first members 306-1a and 306-1b are liquid separation members, the second members 306-2a and 306-2b are phase change members, the third members 306-3a and 306-3b are gas diffusion members, and the fourth members 306-4a and 306-4b are gas response members. The first members 306-1a and 306-1b are asymmetric polysulfone membranes, the second members 306-2a and 306-2b are cellulose-based porous filter paper with a thickness of 210 μm and a pore size of 8 μm, the third members 306-3a and 306-3b are porous hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene membranes with an average pore size of 0.45 μm and a thickness of 50 μm, and the fourth members 306-4a and 306-4b are green and ammonia gas reaction layers, respectively, deposited on a 180 μm-thick transparent polyester terephthalate sheet. A 0.1% to 5% bromophenol blue and ethyl cellulose coating was automatically drawn down onto the transparent polyester terephthalate sheet so that the bromophenol blue and ethyl cellulose coating contacted the third members 306-3a and 306-3b.

[0087]

[0119] 4A illustrates application of a feed solution to a member set of a sensing cartridge, the member set including two members. The member set may represent member set 305-1 of sensing cartridge 300-1 of FIG. 3A and includes a first member 400-1 and a second member 400-2. The first member 400-1 and the second member 400-2 may correspond to the first member 306-1 and the second member 306-2, respectively, described above with reference to FIG. 3A.

[0088]

[0120] During operation, the feed solution 402 is applied to the first component 400-1 and becomes fluidly coupled thereto. The first component 400-1 is configured to separate and retain the components 404 from the feed solution 402. The second component 400-2 is configured to wick the permeate from the first component 400-1 and act on constituents in the permeate to shift the constituent phase equilibrium to a gaseous state. The phase change induced by the second component 400-2 produces a gas 406 that is extracted from the permeate. In one example, the gas 406 is produced within 20 minutes of introducing the feed solution 402 into the first component 400-1. Arrows 408 indicate the flow direction of the feed solution 402 and permeate through the first component 400-1 and the second component 400-2. Feed solution 402 and permeate flow primarily vertically through first member 400-1 and second member 400-2. As used herein, "primarily vertically" means that 70-100% of the permeate flows vertically, with the remainder flowing laterally.

[0089]

[0121] FIG. 4B illustrates an example of a sensing cartridge with a feed solution further applied to the set of components, where the set of components includes two components. The set of components may represent an alternative embodiment to the set of components of FIG. 4A. The set of components illustrated in FIG. 4B includes the first and second components 400-1 and 400-2 described above with reference to FIG. 4A, and processes the feed solution 402 to separate constituents 404 and provide gas 406, as described above with reference to FIG. 4A. However, in contrast to the structure and operation of the set of components of FIG. 4A, the first and second components 400-1 and 400-2 are offset, such that the feed solution 402 and permeate flow primarily laterally (as indicated by arrows 408) through the first and second components 400-1 and 400-2. The first and second components 400-1 and 400-2 may be offset by 1 mm to 30 mm. Due to the offset, the first member 400-1 may not be directly aligned with and / or may not be in full contact with the second member 400-2. As used herein, "predominantly laterally" means that 70-100% of the permeate flows laterally and the remainder flows vertically.

[0090]

[0122] FIG. 5 illustrates the application of a feed solution to a set of components of a sensing cartridge, the set of components including a zero member. The set of components includes first and second components 500-1 and 500-2, corresponding to first and second components 400-1 and 400-2 described above with reference to FIG. 4A , and processes the feed solution 502 to separate constituents 504 and provide gas 506, as described above with reference to FIG. 4A . However, in contrast to the structure and operation of the set of components in FIG. 4A , the zero member 500-0 is associated with or coupled to the first component 500-1. By way of example, the zero member 500-0 is a microfluidic component. The feed solution 502 is applied to the zero member 500-0 and is positioned in fluid communication with the zero member 500-0. The zero member 500-0 is configured to transport the feed solution 502 to the first component 500-1 through a microfluidic structure having a channel diameter of less than 2000 μm.

[0091]

[0123] Although the zero member features are described in the context of a sensing cartridge having a two-member member set, the zero member may also be included in other sensing cartridge configurations. For example, the zero member may be included in a sensing cartridge having a three-member set or a four-member set, as described below.

[0092]

[0124] 3B , the feed solution is applied to a set of elements of a sensing cartridge, the set of elements including three elements. The set of elements may represent set of elements 305-1 of sensing cartridge 300-2 of FIG. 3B and includes a first element 600-1, a second element 600-2, and a third element 600-3. The first element 600-1, the second element 600-2, and the third element 600-3 may correspond to the first element 306-1, the second element 306-2, and the third element 306-3, respectively, described above with reference to FIG. 3B .

[0093]

[0125] In operation, the feed solution 602 is applied to the first member 600-1, fluidly coupled to the first member 400-1. The first member 600-1 is configured to separate and retain the components 604 from the feed solution 602. The second member 600-2 is configured to wick the permeate from the first member 600-1 and act on constituents in the permeate to shift the constituent phase equilibrium to a gaseous state. The phase change induced by the second member 600-2 produces a gas 606 that is extracted from the permeate. The third member 600-3 is configured to prevent permeation of the liquid permeate from the second member 600-2 while allowing the gas to pass through. The third member 600-3 may be a gas diffusion member that prevents liquid permeation. In one example, the gas 606 is produced within 20 minutes of introducing the feed solution 602 into the first member 600-1. Arrows 608 indicate the flow direction of the feed solution 602 and permeate through the first member 600-1, the second member 600-2, and the third member 600-3. The feed solution 602 and permeate flow primarily vertically through the first member 600-1, the second member 600-2, and the third member 600-3.

[0094]

[0126] 3C , the feed solution is applied to a set of elements of a sensing cartridge, the set of elements including four elements. The set of elements may represent set of elements 305-1 of sensing cartridge 300-3 of FIG. 3C and includes a first element 700-1, a second element 700-2, a third element 700-3, and a fourth element 700-4. The first element 700-1, the second element 700-2, the third element 700-3, and the fourth element 700-4 may correspond to the first element 306-1, the second element 306-2, the third element 306-3, and the fourth element 306-4, respectively, described above with reference to FIG. 3C .

[0095]

[0127] In operation, a feed solution 702 is applied to the first member 700-1, fluidly coupled to the first member 400-1. The first member 700-1 is configured to separate and retain the components 704 from the feed solution 702. The second member 700-2 is configured to wick the permeate from the first member 700-1 and act on constituents in the permeate to shift the constituent phase equilibrium to a gaseous state. The phase change induced by the second member 700-2 produces a gas 706 that is extracted from the permeate. The third member 700-3 is configured to prevent permeation of the liquid permeate from the second member 700-2 while allowing gas to pass through. The third member 700-3 may be a gas diffusion member that prevents liquid permeation. The fourth element 700-4 is configured to respond to and / or capture the gas 706 from the third element 700-3. By way of example, the gas 706 is generated within 20 minutes of introducing the feed solution 702 into the first element 700-1. Arrows 708 indicate the flow direction of the feed solution 702 and permeate through the first element 700-1, the second element 700-2, and the third element 700-3. The feed solution 702 and permeate flow primarily vertically through the first element 700-1, the second element 700-2, and the third element 700-3.

[0096]

[0128] In the illustrative embodiment, the feed solution 702 applied to the first member 700-1 and placed in fluid communication with the first member 700-1 is whole blood. To separate plasma or serum (plasma / serum) from the whole blood, the first member 700-1 removes and retains a component 704. The component 704 may be a cellular component and / or other component with a hydrodynamic radius greater than 0.01 μm. The second member 700-2 then wicks the plasma / serum away from the first member 700-1 using capillary action and / or a chemical potential gradient. The capillary action and / or chemical potential gradient may be a driving force that allows the permeate (e.g., plasma / serum) to be rapidly drawn from the first member 700-1 to the second member 700-2. The second member 700-2 then acts on the ammonium contained in the plasma / serum to shift the phase equilibrium of the ammonium to a gas 706. The gas 706 is ammonia gas. The third element 700-3 prevents liquid permeation caused by a shift in phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas. Additionally, ammonia gas (e.g., gas 706) diffuses through the third element 700-3 and triggers a response in the fourth element 700-4. The fourth element 700-4 responds to the ammonia gas (e.g., via a colorimetric response) or captures the ammonia gas. In one embodiment, the fourth element 700-4 includes a gas-responsive layer whose frequency changes proportionally with the amount of ammonia present.

[0097]

[0129] When whole blood with different ammonium concentrations is added as feed solution 702, the permeate in which ammonium is measured may not contain red blood cells, white blood cells, and / or platelets; these cells are retained by first member 700-1, so that there is accurate endpoint resolution between ammonium concentrations of 0 and 500. When exposed to a highly alkaline solution, the cell walls break down, releasing (all) of the contained ions, including ammonium, into feed solution 702 or the permeate.

[0098]

[0130] The embodiment of Figure 7 may have advantages over conventional enzymatic and photometric ammonium measurement techniques because these require separation of plasma / serum from red blood cells in whole blood by centrifugation prior to measurement. Therefore, large variations within and between clinical laboratories in the time between collection of a blood sample from a patient, separation of serum / plasma by centrifugation, and measurement by a clinical testing instrument can result in inaccurate measurements. By using the first member 700-1 to separate red blood cells in the feed solution from plasma in the permeate solution with an on-board membrane, separation occurs faster than separation of red blood cells from plasma by centrifugation in a clinical laboratory. Furthermore, separation by the first member 700-1 and wicking by the second member 700-2 can be significantly faster than conventional techniques that use a cation-selective membrane to transport ions from blood through a dense cation-exchange membrane.

[0099]

[0131] When ammonium-spiked deionized water, water treatment plant effluent, and water treatment plant wastewater are added as feed solution 702, endpoint resolution between 0 μM and 200 μM ammonium concentrations may be improved (described in further detail with reference to FIG. 21A). Additionally, bacteria commonly found in water treatment plant effluent (described in further detail with reference to FIG. 23) are retained by first element 700-1 and are not present in the permeate. When fresh human urine is added as feed solution 702, endpoint resolution between different ammonium concentrations (described in further detail with reference to FIG. 21A) may be improved because the ammonium concentration is measured directly rather than estimated.

[0100]

[0132] FIG. 8 illustrates the application of a feed solution to a component set of a sensing cartridge, the component set including three components of different sizes. The component set may represent an alternative embodiment to the component set of FIG. 6. The component set illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a first component 800-1, a second component 800-2, and a third component 800-3, which correspond to the first component 600-1, the second component 600-2, and the third component 600-3, respectively, of the component set described with reference to FIG. 6. As described above with reference to FIG. 6, the component set processes a feed solution 802 to separate components 804 and provide a gas 806. However, in contrast to the structure of the component set of FIG. 6, the first component 800-1, the second component 800-2, and the third component 800-3 have different dimensions. In one embodiment, the dimensions of the second component 800-2 and the third component 800-3 are in the range of 50% to 150% of the dimensions of the first component. For example, the dimensions of the second member 800-2 are within 50% of the dimensions of the first member 800-1, and the dimensions of the third member 800-3 are within 150% of the dimensions of the first member 800-1. Using members with different dimensions can prevent fluid leakage near the ends of the members.

[0101]

[0133] Although the different size member features are described in the context of a sensing cartridge having a three member member set, different size members may also be included in other sensing cartridge configurations. For example, sensing cartridges having two member sets or four member sets, such as those described above with reference to Figures 4A, 4B, and 7, can have different size members.

[0102]

[0134] FIG. 9 illustrates application of a feed solution 902 to a sensing cartridge including a gas detection element 910 coupled to an element housing 912. The element housing 912 includes a first element 900-1 and a second element 900-2, which correspond to the first element 400-1 and the second element 400-2, respectively, described above with reference to FIG. 4A. The gas detection element 910 is in fluid communication with the second element 900-2. By way of example, the gas detection element 910 is configured to detect a gas 906 from the second element 900-2. The gas detection element 910 can detect the gas 906 by electrochemical means, a fuel cell, or an electrical means, such as a direct current measurement means. In one embodiment, the gas detection element 910 changes in response to the presence of the gas 906, and the change can be quantified.

[0103]

[0135] FIG. 10 shows photomicrographs of the feed solution receiving surface of the thin film of the first component of the sensing cartridge. The photomicrographs of the thin films shown in FIG. 10 may represent the thin film of the first component 306-1 of the sensing cartridge 300-1 shown in FIG. 3A. The first photomicrograph 1000-1 is a polyvinylidene dichloride (PVDC) thin film. The second photomicrograph 1000-2 is an alumina thin film. The third photomicrograph 1000-3 is a nylon thin film. The fourth photomicrograph 1000-4 is a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) thin film. Although four photomicrographs of the feed solution receiving surface of the thin film of the first component are shown, the feed solution receiving surface of the thin film is not limited to that shown in FIG. 10.

[0104]

[0136] Membranes can be described as skin-like membranes that function as barriers or container walls, usually in the form of permeable or semi-permeable partitions. Components differ in their ability to diffuse through or wet the membrane. The driving force for transport within a membrane is determined by solute concentration gradients, applied pressure, and / or chemical potential differences. Transport mechanisms through membranes can be convection through open pores, diffusion through a solid phase, or a combination thereof.

[0105]

[0137] A semipermeable membrane is a skin-like film that serves to define a barrier or container wall for at least one component of a solution or colloidal suspension. In one embodiment, "colloidal" may refer to a fine division of a substance dispersed throughout a liquid to the point of nearly reaching a true solution that is difficult to filter and / or precipitate. A semipermeable membrane allows the passage of at least one other component by mechanisms beyond mere physical distortion, including the differential behavior of the components of the solution or suspension relative to the material of the semipermeable membrane. A "suspension" refers to a liquid that carries extremely fine insoluble material (solid or other liquid) throughout its volume, which does not settle by gravity and cannot be filtered without special treatment, such as the addition of chemicals.

[0106]

[0138] Other examples of the thin film of the first component include at least one of polysulfone-based materials and polysulfone-based derivatives, cellulose-based materials and cellulose-based derivatives, polyethylene-based materials and polyethylene derivatives, polypropylene-based materials and polypropylene derivatives, polymethyl methacrylate-based materials and polymethyl methacrylate derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol-based materials and polyvinyl alcohol derivatives, ethylene vinyl alcohol-based materials and ethylene vinyl alcohol derivatives, glass fibers and glass fiber derivatives, polyethersulfone-based materials and polyethersulfone derivatives, carbon-based materials and carbon-based derivatives, polyacrylonitrile-based materials, ceramics, anodized alumina, silica, and combinations of multiple organic and inorganic materials.

[0107]

[0139] Figure 11 shows optical images of a nonwoven second member 1100 and a woven second member 1102 of a sensing cartridge. The nonwoven second member 1100 and / or the woven second member 1102 shown in Figure 11 may be for the second member 306-2 of the sensing cartridge 300-1 as shown in Figure 3A.

[0108]

[0140] FIG. 12 is a table 1200 illustrating the permeation wicking characteristics of a second member of a sensing cartridge. The permeation wicking characteristics may be applied to the second member 306-2 of the sensing cartridge 300-1, as shown in FIG. 3A. Table 1200 includes six columns, implemented as column 1, column 2, column 3, column 4, column 5, and column 6. Column 1 indicates the material type. Column 2 indicates the average pore size (μm) of the material. Column 3 indicates the average percentage of permeate that permeates from the first member (e.g., the first member 306-1 of the sensing cartridge 300-1, as shown in FIG. 3A) to the second member when 10 microliters (μL) of whole blood is applied to the first member and placed in fluid communication with the first member. Column 4 indicates the standard deviation from the mean of the triplicate measurements in column 3. Column 5 shows the average percentage of permeate that penetrated from the first member to the second member when 10 μL of urine was applied to the first member and placed in fluid communication with the first member. Column 6 shows the standard deviation from the mean of triplicate measurements for the mean value in column 5.

[0109]

[0141] FIG. 13 shows an example of a second member 1300 of a sensing cartridge with a hydrophobic pattern 1302 and a hydrophilic pattern 1304. The second member 1300 may be an embodiment of the second member 306-2 of the sensing cartridge 300-1 shown in FIG. 3A. In one embodiment, the second member 1300 is a porous cellulose paper with a thickness of 210 μm and a pore size of 8 μm. The hydrophobic pattern 1302 can be printed on the second member 1300 using standard printing techniques from a 50% diluted RapidCure White printing solution. A first arrow 1306 indicates a deionized water droplet on the hydrophobic pattern 1302 that was not absorbed by the second member 1300. A second arrow 1308 indicates a deionized water droplet on the hydrophilic pattern 1304 that was absorbed by the second member 1300.

[0110]

[0142] FIG. 14 is a table 1400 showing the properties and gas diffusion times of the third member of the sensing cartridge. These properties and gas diffusion times may be for the third member 306-3 of the sensing cartridge 300-3, as shown in FIG. 3C. Table 1400 includes four columns implemented as column 1, column 2, column 3, and column 4. Column 1 shows the type of thin film of the third member. Column 2 shows the average pore size (μm) of the thin film. Column 3 shows the average pore size (μm) of the thin film. Column 4 shows the average time (seconds) for 50% of the gas to diffuse through the third member.

[0111]

[0143] Figure 15 shows the structure of ammonium (NH4 + 15 shows a graph 1500 of the phase equilibrium between ammonium (ammonium ion) 1502 and ammonia (NH3) 1504. The X-axis of graph 1500 represents the pH value of the solution. The Y-axis of graph 1500 represents mole fraction. Ammonium 1502 and ammonia 1504 represent the mole fractions of ammonium and ammonia, respectively. In one embodiment, the phase equilibrium between ammonium 1502 and ammonia 1504 is the known chemical equilibrium between ammonium ions and ammonia gas as a function of the pH of the liquid. The phase equilibrium is related to the selection of the base or alkalinity concentration for the conversion layer (e.g., second component) of the sensing cartridge.

[0112]

[0144] Figure 16 shows the relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2) and bicarbonate (HCO3 - ) 1604, and carbonate (CO3 2- 16 shows a graph 1600 of the phase equilibrium between carbon dioxide 1602, bicarbonate 1604, and carbonate 1606. The x-axis of graph 1600 shows pH values. The y-axis of graph 1600 shows mole fraction values. Carbon dioxide 1602, bicarbonate 1604, and carbonate 1606 are the mole fractions of carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and carbonate, respectively, as a function of pH. In one embodiment, the phase equilibrium between carbon dioxide 1602, bicarbonate 1604, and carbonate 1606 is a known chemical equilibrium.

[0113]

[0145] 17 shows a graph 1700 of the frequency response of the gas sensing layer to 3.4 ppm ammonia as a function of polymer to indicator molar ratio. The x-axis of graph 1700 shows ppm of ammonia. The y-axis of graph 1700 shows Delta Abs (%). In one embodiment, the gas sensing layer is included in a fourth member of the sensing cartridge (e.g., fourth member 306-4 of sensing cartridge 300-3 as shown in FIG. 3C).

[0114]

[0146] In one embodiment, graph 1700 shows the change in red absorbance for different sensor chemistries of the fourth element in air containing 3 ppm ammonia gas, e.g., the higher the value, the greater the sensor response to ammonia and the better the overall sensor sensitivity.

[0115]

[0147] FIG. 18 shows a graph 1800 of the measured optoelectronic reader response to sensing cartridges with different component concentrations. The optoelectronic reader response is generated by the optoelectronic reader 102 (FIG. 1) and represents the change in the reader signal measurement as a function of time. The x-axis of graph 1800 represents time in seconds. The y-axis of graph 1800 represents the measured reader signal in voltage (V). In one embodiment, the optoelectronic reader response is a photodiode response to a sensing cartridge containing components for liquid separation, gas extraction, gas diffusion, and gas response. 10 μL of feed solution was applied to 15 different sensing cartridges. The first line 1802-1 represents the photodiode response to a whole blood feed solution. The second line 1802-2 represents the photodiode response to a whole blood feed solution spiked with 50 μM ammonium. The third line 1802-3 represents the photodiode response to a whole blood feed solution spiked with 100 μM ammonium. A fourth line 1802-4 represents the photodiode response to a whole blood feed solution spiked with 200 μM ammonium, and a fifth line 1802-5 represents the photodiode response to a whole blood feed solution spiked with 500 μM ammonium.

[0116]

[0148] Referring to FIG. 18 , graph 1800 shows raw voltage signal curves measured by a sensing photodiode of an optoelectronic reader over a 500-second period for different ammonium compositions of whole blood added to a four-component sensing cartridge. The raw voltage signals are processed by an algorithm stored in the optoelectronic reader's firmware to provide ammonia measurements or values. To this end, the algorithm is configured to determine a measurement change, e.g., a voltage change, from the raw voltage signals and convert the voltage change to an ammonia measurement based on a specific calibration factor. The ammonia measurement or value is an amount or concentration. The specific calibration factor, described below with reference to FIG. 19 , can be determined for a sensing cartridge during its manufacture.

[0117]

[0149] The ammonia measurement or value determined by the algorithm may be provided to a user of the optoelectronic reader, for example, the value may be displayed on the reader's display or may be transmitted by the reader to a user device, such as a mobile phone, where the value may be displayed.

[0118]

[0150] FIG. 19 shows a graph 1900 of the photoelectron reader calibration curve 1901 300 seconds after adding a feed solution to the sensing cartridge. The x-axis of graph 1900 shows the constituent concentration in micromolar (μM). The y-axis of graph 1900 shows the change in reader signal (in V) at 300 seconds. Graph 1900 includes five constituent concentrations, which correspond to the feed solutions described with reference to FIG. 18 . A first constituent concentration 1902-1 corresponds to a feed solution of whole blood (first line 1802-1 in FIG. 18 ). The voltage change measured by the photoelectron reader for first constituent concentration 1902-1 at 300 seconds is substantially zero, which is consistent with the substantially “flat” first line 1802-1. A second constituent concentration 1902-2 corresponds to a feed solution of whole blood with 50 μM ammonium added (second line 1802-2 in FIG. 18 ). The change in voltage measured by the photoelectron reader at 300 seconds for the second component concentration 1902-2 is approximately -0.3, which is consistent with the curve for the second line 1802-2. The third component concentration 1902-3 corresponds to a whole blood feed solution spiked with 100 μM ammonium (third line 1802-3 in FIG. 18). The change in voltage measured by the photoelectron reader at 300 seconds for the third component concentration 1902-3 is approximately -0.6, which is consistent with the curve for the third line 1802-3. The fourth component concentration 1902-4 corresponds to a whole blood feed solution spiked with 200 μM ammonium (fourth line 1802-4 in FIG. 18). The change in voltage measured by the photoelectron reader at 300 seconds for the fourth component concentration 1902-4 is approximately -1.0, which is consistent with the curve for the fourth line 1802-4. The fifth component concentration 1902-5 corresponds to a whole blood feed solution spiked with 500 μM ammonium (fifth line 1802-5 in FIG. 18). For the fifth component concentration 1902-5, the change in voltage measured by the reader in 300 seconds was approximately −1.9, which is consistent with the curve of the fifth line 1802-5.

[0119]

[0151] Referring to Figure 19, graph 1900 shows calibration curves 1901 for the different component concentrations of Figure 18. In one embodiment, calibration curve 1901 is a Langmuir-like model fit to the data at points 1902-1, 1902-2, 1902-3, 1902-4, and 1902-5. The fit parameters of the Langmuir-like model are considered calibration coefficients and are stored in the cartridge package. A software application then extracts the calibration coefficients from the cartridge package and sends them to the firmware of the photoelectron reader, which uses them to convert the raw signal measured by the photoelectron reader into an ammonia concentration that the application reports to the user.

[0120]

[0152] FIG. 20 shows a graph 2000 of ammonia levels or values. The x-axis of graph 2000 represents plasma samples. The y-axis of graph 2000 represents ammonia (μM) from the plasma samples. A first plasma sample 2002-1 is alkalized plasma. A second plasma sample 2002-2 is plasma separated from whole blood after alkalization of the whole blood with 6 molar (M) potassium carbonate. In one embodiment, the second plasma sample 2002-2 is obtained by directly alkalization of 350 μL of whole blood with 175 μL of 6 M potassium carbonate. In such an embodiment, direct alkalization releases excess ammonium from cellular and other components in the whole blood. Therefore, direct alkalization of whole blood may result in erroneously elevated plasma ammonia measurements due to alkalization of the complex anatomy of whole blood.

[0121]

[0153] 21A shows a graph 2100 of an optoelectronic reader measurement response to a feed solution of effluent, where the response represents the change in the reader signal measurement as a function of time. The optoelectronic reader response is generated by optoelectronic reader 102 (FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the feed solution of effluent is a 10 μL feed solution of effluent added to two sets of four-piece sensing cartridges (e.g., sensing cartridge 300-5 of FIG. 3E).

[0122]

[0154] The x-axis of graph 2100 represents time in seconds. The y-axis of graph 2100 represents the measured reader signal in voltage. A first line 2102-1 represents the signal for the deionized water control. A second line 2102-2 represents the signal for the Arizona wastewater brine concentrate. A third line 2102-3 represents the signal for the Arizona wastewater brine concentrate spiked with 200 μM ammonium.

[0123]

[0155] Figure 21B shows the response of the sensing cartridge characteristics to the effluent feed solution of Figure 21A for the first sensing cartridge 2104-1, the second sensing cartridge 2104-2, and the third sensing cartridge 2104-3. Each sensing cartridge 2104-1, 2104-2, 2104-3 includes a control window 2106-1, 2106-2, 2106-3 and a response window 2108-1, 2108-2, 2108-3. The sensing cartridges 2104-1, 2104-2, and 2104-3 are embodiments of the sensing cartridge 300-5 described above with reference to Figure 3E, where each of the fourth members 306-4a, 306-4b is visible through the cartridge's respective response window 2108-1, 2108-2, 2108-3. The characteristic response may be a change in color proportional to the amount of diffused gas present in the sensing cartridge. The characteristic responses of the sensing cartridges shown in Figure 21B are 300 seconds after applying the feed solution to the first sensing cartridge 2104-1, the second sensing cartridge 2104-2, and the third sensing cartridge 2104-3.

[0124]

[0156] The control windows 2106-1, 2106-2, and 2106-3 are the same green color in each of the sensing cartridges 2104-1, 2104-2, and 2104-3. The first sensing cartridge 2104-1 shows a response to the deionized water control (which corresponds to the first line 2102-1 in FIG. 21A). The response window 2108-1 of the first sensing cartridge 2104-1 is a darker green than the control window 2106-1. The second sensing cartridge 2104-2 shows a response to the Arizona wastewater brine concentrate (which corresponds to the second line 2102-2 in FIG. 21A). The response window 2108-2 of the second sensing cartridge 2104-2 is a darker green than the response window 2108-1 of the first sensing cartridge 2104-1. The third sensing cartridge 2104-3 shows a response to Arizona wastewater brine concentrate spiked with 200 μM ammonium (which corresponds to the third line 2102-3 in FIG. 21A). The response window 2108-3 of the third sensing cartridge 2104-3 is a blue tint.

[0125]

[0157] 22 shows a graph 2200 of optoelectronic reader measurement responses to a urine feed solution, where the response represents the change in the reader signal measurement as a function of time. The x-axis of graph 2200 represents time (seconds). The y-axis of graph 2200 represents the reader signal measurement (voltage). The first line 2202-1 represents the signal for a deionized water feed solution. The second line 2202-2 represents the signal for a 10% urine feed solution. The third line 2202-3 represents the signal for a 100% urine feed solution.

[0126]

[0158] Figure 23 is a table 2300 of the cellular composition of body fluids and water. Table 2300 includes two columns, implemented as column 1 and column 2. Column 1 lists the cell types present in the body fluids and wastewater. Column 2 lists the average diameter (μm) of the cell types in column 1.

[0127]

[0159] FIG. 24 is a table 2400 of phase change equilibria for multiple species. Table 2400 includes three columns, implemented as column 1, column 2, and column 3. Column 1 lists the components of the liquid that can be extracted. Column 2 lists the mechanism that induces a phase change of the component in column 1. Column 3 lists the species that are produced after a phase change of the component in column 1 by the mechanism in column 2.

[0128]

[0160] 1 is a flow chart of a method for extracting permeate from a feed solution and quantifying components of the feed solution, the method being performable by the system 100 of FIG. 1 and including an optoelectronic reader 200 as described above with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B and a sensing cartridge 300-1 with a first member 306-1 and a second member 306-2 as described above with reference to FIG. 3A.

[0129]

[0161] At block 2502, a first member of the sensing cartridge separates components having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 μm from the feed solution.

[0130]

[0162] At block 2504, a second member of the sensing cartridge wicks the permeate from the first member. In one embodiment, the second member also acts on constituents in the permeate to shift the phase equilibrium of that component to the gas state.

[0131]

[0163] Although not shown, a third member of the sensing cartridge optionally prevents liquid penetration caused by a shift in the phase equilibrium of the component to a gaseous state, and a fourth member optionally reacts to the diffusing gas of the component, the third member and the fourth member being similar to those described above with reference to Figures 3C and 3E.

[0132]

[0164] At block 2506, the optoelectronic reader emits light toward the sensing cartridge. In one embodiment, the optoelectronic reader includes an LED configured to emit light toward the sensing cartridge.

[0133]

[0165] At block 2508, the optoelectronic reader senses the reflected light from the sensing cartridge and provides a measurement based on the reflected light. In one embodiment, the optoelectronic reader includes a sensing photodiode configured to sense the reflected light from the sensing cartridge and provide a measurement based on the sensed light. In some embodiments, the measurement may correspond to a raw measurement, such as a voltage value, taken over time. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 18, the optoelectronic reader may output a series of voltage values ​​collected over, for example, 500 seconds. In some embodiments, the measurement may correspond to a change in the measurement, such as a change in voltage, that occurs over time. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 19, the optoelectronic reader may output a voltage change value corresponding to the difference between the voltage measured at an initial time (at or shortly after time zero) and at 300 seconds.

[0134]

[0166] At block 2510, the processor quantifies the constituents in the feed solution based on the measurements. In one embodiment, the optoelectronic reader includes a processor configured to derive values ​​corresponding to the concentrations of the constituents in the feed solution. In another embodiment, the optoelectronic reader provides the measurements to a remote processor configured to derive values ​​corresponding to the concentrations of the constituents in the feed solution.

[0135]

[0167] In either case, the processor can be configured to derive a value corresponding to the concentration of the component in the feed solution based on the measurements, as described above with reference to FIG. 18. For example, in the case of measuring ammonia in whole blood, the processor can be configured to execute a software application that processes measurements from the optoelectronic reader and outputs a value corresponding to the concentration of ammonia in whole blood. As previously described, in such an example, the sensing cartridge of the optoelectronic reader includes fitting parameters (or calibration coefficients). In one embodiment, the fitting parameters are proportional to the voltage change measured over 300 seconds. In another embodiment, the fitting parameters are based on the derivative of the raw signal, as described with reference to FIGS. 18, 21A, and 22.

[0136]

[0168] Referring to FIG. 1 , a system 100 for quantifying constituents in a feed solution, as described above with reference to FIG. 25 , includes a sensing cartridge 104 and an optoelectronic reader 102. The optoelectronic reader 102 is configured to receive and removably couple to the sensing cartridge 104 and quantify the constituents in the feed solution based on light reflected from the sensing cartridge or provide measurements for use in quantifying the constituents. To that end, and with further reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B , the optoelectronic reader 102 includes LEDs 214-1, 214-2 configured to emit light toward the sensing cartridge 104 and sensing photodiodes 216-1, 216-2 configured to sense the light reflected from the sensing cartridge and provide measurements based on the reflected light. A processor resident within the optoelectronic reader 102 is configured to quantify the constituents based on the measurements. Alternatively, the optoelectronic reader 102 is configured to communicate the measurements to a processor remote from the optoelectronic reader 102, and the remote processor is configured to quantify the constituents based on the measurements. The quantifications are constituent concentrations or constituent amounts, which may serve as biomarkers for monitoring a patient's condition. To this end, quantifications (or biomarkers) are obtained periodically, e.g., hourly, daily, weekly, etc., and processed to detect trends in the biomarkers and adjust the patient's medication accordingly.

[0137]

[0169] In other embodiments, the reader 102 may be configured to quantify components in the feed solution or provide associated measurements for use in quantifying components based on sensing techniques other than photoelectric. For example, the reader may quantify components in the feed solution or provide associated measurements based on electrochemical sensing with an electrochemical sensor or electrical sensing with an electrode sensor.

[0138]

[0170] 3A, sensing cartridge 300-1 can include a first member set 305-1 having a first member 306-1 and a second member 306-2 coupled to the first member. First member 306-1 is configured to separate components from a feed solution, where the components have a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 μm. Second member 306-2 is configured to wick permeate from first member 306-1 to shift the phase equilibrium of the components in the permeate to a gaseous state.

[0139]

[0171] Referring to FIG. 3B, sensing cartridge 300-2 may include a first member set 305-1 having a first member 306-1, a second member 306-2 coupled to the first member, and a third member 306-3 coupled to the second member. The first member 306-1 is configured to separate a component from the feed solution, the component having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 μm. The second member 306-2 is configured to wick a permeate from the feed solution and act on the component in the permeate to shift the component's phase equilibrium to a gaseous state. The third member 306-3 is configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by the component's phase equilibrium shift to a gaseous state.

[0140]

[0172] Referring to FIG. 3C, the sensing cartridge 300-3 may include a first member set 305-1 having a first member 306-1, a second member 306-2 coupled to the first member, a third member 306-3 coupled to the second member, and a fourth member 306-4 coupled to the third member. The first member 306-1 is configured to separate a component from the feed solution, the component having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 μm. The second member 306-2 is configured to wick a permeate from the feed solution and act on the component in the permeate to shift the component's phase equilibrium to a gaseous state. The third member 306-3 is configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by a shift in the component's phase equilibrium to a gaseous state. The fourth member 306-4 is configured to react to the diffusing gas of the component.

[0141]

[0173] 3D, the sensing cartridge 300-4 may include a first member set 305-1 and a second member set 305-2, each having a first member 306-1 a / b, a second member 306-2 a / b coupled to the first member, and a third member 306-3 a / b coupled to the second member. The first member 306-1 a / b, the second member 306-2 a / b, and the third member 306-3 a / b may be configured as described above with reference to FIG. 3B.

[0142]

[0174] 3E, the sensing cartridge 300-5 may include a first member set 305-1 and a second member set 305-2, each having a first member 306-1 a / b, a second member 306-2 a / b coupled to the first member, a third member 306-3 a / b coupled to the second member, and a fourth member 306-4 a / b coupled to the third member. The first member 306-1 a / b, the second member 306-2 a / b, the third member 306-3 a / b, and the fourth member 306-4 a / b may be configured as described above with reference to FIG. 3C.

[0143]

[0175] 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method for extracting plasma from whole blood and quantifying ammonia gas in the whole blood, the method being performable by the system 100 of FIG. 1 and including an optoelectronic reader 200 as described above with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B and a sensing cartridge 300-1 with a first member 306-1 and a second member 306-2 as described above with reference to FIG. 3A.

[0144]

[0176] At block 2602, a first component of the sensing cartridge separates plasma from whole blood, which has cellular components with hydrodynamic diameters greater than 0.01 μm.

[0145]

[0177] At block 2604, a second member of the sensing cartridge wicks plasma from the whole blood, and the second member acts on the ammonium in the plasma to shift the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas. In one embodiment, the second member also acts on the ammonium in the plasma to shift the phase equilibrium of ammonium to ammonia gas.

[0146]

[0178] Although not shown, a third member of the sensing cartridge optionally prevents liquid permeation caused by a phase equilibrium change from ammonium to ammonia gas, and a fourth member optionally acts on the ammonia gas, the third member and the fourth member being similar to those described above with reference to Figures 3C and 3E.

[0147]

[0179] At block 2606, the optoelectronic reader emits light toward the sensing cartridge. In one embodiment, the optoelectronic reader includes an LED configured to emit light toward the sensing cartridge.

[0148]

[0180] At block 2608, the optoelectronic reader senses the reflected light from the sensing cartridge and provides a measurement based on the reflected light. In one embodiment, the optoelectronic reader includes a sensing photodiode configured to sense the reflected light from the sensing cartridge and provide a measurement based on the reflected light. In some embodiments, the measurement may correspond to a raw measurement, such as a voltage value, obtained over time. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 18, the optoelectronic reader may output a series of voltage values ​​collected over, for example, 500 seconds. In some embodiments, the measurement may correspond to a change in the measurement, such as a change in voltage, that occurs over time. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 19, the optoelectronic reader may output a voltage change value corresponding to the difference between the voltage measured at an initial time (at or shortly after time zero) and at 300 seconds.

[0149]

[0181] At block 2610, the processor quantifies the ammonia gas based on the measurements. In one embodiment, the photoelectronic reader includes a processor configured to derive a value corresponding to the ammonia level. In another embodiment, the photoelectronic reader provides the measurements to a remote processor configured with a value corresponding to the ammonia level.

[0150]

[0182] In either case, the processor can be configured to derive a value corresponding to the ammonia in the whole blood based on the measurements, as described above with reference to FIG. 18. For example, the processor can be configured to execute a software application that processes measurements from the optoelectronic reader and outputs a value corresponding to the concentration of ammonia in the whole blood. As previously described, in such an example, the sensing cartridge of the optoelectronic reader includes fitting parameters (or calibration coefficients). In one embodiment, the fitting parameters are proportional to the voltage change measured over 300 seconds. In another embodiment, the fitting parameters are based on the derivative of the raw signal, as described with reference to FIGS. 18, 21A, and 22.

[0151]

[0183] Referring to FIG. 1 , a system 100 for quantifying ammonia gas in whole blood, as described above with reference to FIG. 26 , includes a sensing cartridge 104 and an optoelectronic reader 102. The optoelectronic reader 102 is configured to receive and removably couple to the sensing cartridge 104 and quantify ammonia gas in the whole blood based on light reflected from the sensing cartridge or provide measurements for use in quantifying ammonia gas. To this end, and with further reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B , the optoelectronic reader 102 includes LEDs 214-1, 214-2 configured to emit light toward the sensing cartridge 104 and sensing photodiodes 216-1, 216-2 configured to sense light reflected from the sensing cartridge and provide measurements based on the reflected light. A processor resident within the optoelectronic reader 102 is configured to quantify ammonia gas based on the measurements. Alternatively, the optoelectronic reader 102 is configured to communicate the measurements to a processor remote from the optoelectronic reader 102, and the remote processor is configured to quantify ammonia gas based on the measurements. The quantification, which is the concentration or amount of ammonia, can serve as a biomarker for monitoring the patient's condition. To this end, the quantification (or biomarker) can be obtained periodically, e.g., hourly, daily, weekly, etc., and processed to detect trends in the biomarker and adjust the patient's therapy accordingly. For example, an ammonia-removing drug regime (dosage, frequency of drug intake, etc.) may be adjusted based on trends in ammonia concentrations.

[0152]

[0184] In other embodiments, the reader 102 may be configured to quantify ammonia gas in whole blood or provide related measurements for use in quantifying ammonia gas in whole blood based on sensing techniques other than optoelectronic. For example, the reader may quantify ammonia gas in whole blood or provide related measurements based on electrochemical sensing with an electrochemical sensor or electrical sensing with an electrode sensor.

[0153]

[0185] Referring to FIG. 3C , the sensing cartridge 300-3 may include a first member set 305-1 having a first member 306-1, a second member 306-2 coupled to the first member, a third member 306-3 coupled to the second member, and a fourth member 306-4 coupled to the third member. The first member 306-1 is configured to separate plasma from whole blood, which includes cellular components having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 μm. The second member 306-2 is configured to wick plasma from the whole blood and act on ammonium in the plasma to shift the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas. The third member 306-3 is configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by the shift in phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas. The fourth member 306-4 is configured to act on ammonia gas.

[0154]

[0186] While the method of FIG. 26 and the system for implementing the method are specific to the analysis of whole blood, the method and system are applicable to bodily fluids other than whole blood. For example, the method and device can be implemented for the analysis of urine. To this end, a system 100 for quantifying ammonia gas in urine includes a sensing cartridge 104 and an optoelectronic reader 102. The optoelectronic reader 102 is configured to receive and removably couple to the sensing cartridge 104 and quantify ammonia gas in urine based on light reflected from the sensing cartridge or provide measurements for use in quantifying ammonia gas. To this end, with further reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B , the optoelectronic reader 102 includes LEDs 214-1 and 214-2 configured to emit light toward the sensing cartridge 104 and sensing photodiodes 216-1 and 216-2 configured to sense the light reflected from the sensing cartridge and provide measurements based on the reflected light. A processor resident within the optoelectronic reader 102 is configured to quantify ammonia gas based on the measurements. Alternatively, the optoelectronic reader 102 is configured to transmit the measurements to a processor remote from the optoelectronic reader 102, and the remote processor is configured to quantify the ammonia gas based on the measurements. The quantification, which is the concentration or amount of ammonia, may serve as a biomarker for monitoring the patient's condition. To this end, the quantification (or biomarker) may be obtained periodically, e.g., hourly, daily, weekly, etc., and processed to detect trends in the biomarker and adjust the patient's therapy accordingly. For example, an ammonia-removing medication regime (dosage, medication frequency, etc.) may be adjusted based on trends in ammonia concentrations.

[0155]

[0187] In other embodiments, the reader 102 may quantify ammonia gas in urine or provide measurements for use in quantifying ammonia gas in urine based on sensing techniques other than photoelectric. For example, the reader may quantify ammonia gas in urine or provide related measurements based on electrochemical sensing with an electrochemical sensor or electrical sensing with an electrode sensor.

[0156]

[0188] Referring to FIG. 3C , the sensing cartridge 300-3 may include a first member set 305-1 having a first member 306-1, a second member 306-2 coupled to the first member, a third member 306-3 coupled to the second member, and a fourth member 306-4 coupled to the third member. The first member 306-1 is configured to separate the supernatant from the urine, the urine containing cellular components having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 μm. The second member 306-2 is configured to wick the supernatant from the urine and to act on ammonium in the plasma to shift the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas. The third member 306-3 is configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by the shift in the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas. The fourth member 306-4 is configured to act on the ammonia gas.

[0157]

[0189] In some embodiments, devices, systems, and / or techniques for obtaining a permeate from a feed solution can be used to convert bicarbonate and / or carbonate ions to carbon dioxide gas. In such embodiments, a phase change occurs in the second or third component of the sensing cartridge. The driving force for the phase change is pH. The second or third component can be dip-coated in an acidic solution (e.g., citric acid) or a buffer solution having a pH of 5 or less and dried at 60°C for 24 hours. In some embodiments, carbon dioxide gas is measured using a carbon dioxide-specific sensing chemistry. In such embodiments, a three- or four-layer sensor can be used to measure carbon dioxide gas. As an example, a three- or four-layer sensor includes a feed separation layer, a permeation acidification layer, a diffusion layer, and / or a sensing layer. In such an example, the sensing layer includes a carbon dioxide-sensitive colorimetric indicator embedded in a polymer coated on a transparent substrate. The colorimetric indicator can be m-cresol purple embedded on a polytetrafluoroethylene support or m-cresol purple embedded in a polymer coated on a transparent substrate. The color-forming indicator may be a zeolitic imidozolate framework (ZIF) (e.g., zeolitic imidozolate framework-8 (ZIF-8)) embedded in a polymer matrix (e.g., cellulose) on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate.

[0158]

[0190] In some embodiments, devices, systems, and / or techniques for obtaining a permeate from a feed solution can perform a temperature swing to expel dissolved gases in the permeate. The temperature change can reduce the solubility of gases in the dissolving liquid, resulting in the gas being expelled from the permeate. As an example, dissolved gases (e.g., sulfur dioxide (wastewater)) are expelled from a liquid containing the dissolved gas. In such an example, the dissolved gas is expelled by increasing the temperature of the liquid, reducing the solubility of the dissolved gas. In one embodiment, the feed solution containing the dissolved gas is separated by a first element of a sensing cartridge. The permeate solution, still containing the dissolved gas, is then heated to a temperature that reduces the solubility of the gas of interest in the liquid, resulting in the gas being expelled. As an example, a thin film can be heated by incorporating nanophotonic particles and irradiating it with light, by a conductive film heated by resistive or dielectric heating, or by first applying the feed solution and then (after about 1 minute) placing the sensing cartridge in an oven for conductive or convective heating. In some embodiments, the dissolved gas expelled from the feed solution is captured after the temperature swing. In such an embodiment, a system such as a condenser or adsorption column captures the vented gases.

[0159]

[0191] Examples of dissolved gases include sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxygen (O2), ammonia (NH3), argon (Ar), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), chlorine (Cl2), ethane (C2H6), hydrogen (H2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), helium (He), methane (CH4), nitrogen (N2), and ethylene (C2H4). The solubility of sulfur dioxide is approximately 110 g / kg of water at 20°C, decreasing to < approximately 50 g / kg above 40°C. The solubility of oxygen is approximately 0.041 g / kg of water at 20°C, decreasing to < approximately 0.022 g / kg above 60°C. The solubility of ammonia is approximately 500 g / kg of water at 20°C, decreasing to < approximately 190 g / kg above 60°C. The solubility of argon is approximately 0.59 g / kg of water at 20°C, decreasing to < approximately 0.03 g / kg at temperatures > 60°C. The solubility of carbon monoxide is approximately 0.028 g / kg of water at 20°C, decreasing to < approximately 0.015 g / kg at temperatures > 60°C. The solubility of carbon dioxide is approximately 1.6 g / kg of water at 20°C, decreasing to < approximately 0.6 g / kg at temperatures > 60°C. The solubility of chlorine is approximately 7 g / kg of water at 20°C, decreasing to < approximately 3.2 g / kg at temperatures > 60°C. The solubility of ethane is approximately 0.06 g / kg of water at 20°C, decreasing to < approximately 0.025 g / kg at temperatures > 60°C. The solubility of ethylene is approximately 0.13 g / kg of water at 20°C, decreasing to < approximately 0.12 g / kg above 30°C. The solubility of hydrogen is approximately 0.0016 g / kg of water at 20°C, decreasing to < approximately 0.00115 g / kg above 60°C. The solubility of hydrogen sulfide is approximately 3.9 g / kg of water at 20°C, decreasing to < approximately 1.5 g / kg above 60°C. The solubility of helium is approximately 0.0015 g / kg of water at 20°C, decreasing to < approximately 0.0013 g / kg above 60°C. The solubility of methane is approximately 0.024 g / kg of water at 20°C, decreasing to < approximately 0.0075 g / kg above 60°C. The solubility of nitrogen is about 0.0175 g / kg of water at 20°C, decreasing to < about 0.011 g / kg of water at >60°C.

[0160]

[0192] In some embodiments, the device, system, and / or technique for obtaining a permeate from a feed solution can measure dissolved gases in the feed solution through the discharge of the dissolved gas. The dissolved gas can be discharged by changing the solubility of the gas in the feed solution. For example, increasing the temperature can decrease the solubility of the gas in the feed solution, causing the dissolved gas to be discharged. The discharged gas is measured using a sensing chemical specific to the discharged gas. In one embodiment, for wastewater containing hydrogen sulfide, the device includes a chromogenic sensing element as the hydrogen sulfide sensing element. The chromogenic sensing element can be, for example, a transparent support in which carbon dots are coated on ZIF-8 having terbium ions and guanosine monophosphate on the surface, or a polymer-modified ZIF on a transparent substrate.

[0161]

[0193] As used herein, the term "configured to" indicates that an element includes one or more components, attachments, circuits, instructions, modules, data, inputs, outputs, etc., to perform one or more of the described or required corresponding functions, and may further include inferred couplings with one or more other items to perform the described functions or required corresponding functions. As used herein, the terms "coupled," "coupled to," "connected to," and / or "connecting" or "interconnecting" include direct connections or links between devices, components, or members, and / or indirect connections between devices, components, or members via intervening items (e.g., items include, but are not limited to, devices, components, members, etc.). As used herein, the terms "substantially" and "approximately" provide an industry-accepted tolerance for relativity between corresponding terms and / or items.

[0162]

[0194] Various features of the disclosure described herein can be implemented in different systems and devices without departing from the disclosure. It should be noted that the foregoing aspects of the disclosure are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the disclosure. The description of the aspects of the disclosure is exemplary and does not limit the scope of the claims. Thus, the teachings of the present invention can be readily applied to other types of devices, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0163]

[0195] The foregoing specification has described several representative aspects with reference to specific examples. However, various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. The specification and drawings are illustrative rather than restrictive, and modifications within the scope of the invention are intended to be included. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the described embodiments alone. For example, the components and / or elements recited in the device claims may be assembled or operatively configured in various combinations and, therefore, are not limited to the specific configurations recited in the claims.

[0164]

[0196] Furthermore, certain advantages, other benefits, and solutions to problems have been described above with respect to particular embodiments. However, any advantage, benefit, solution to a problem, or any element that may cause a particular advantage, benefit, or solution to occur or become more pronounced should not be construed as a critical, essential, or essential feature or component of any or all of the claims.

[0165]

[0197] As used herein, the terms "comprise," "comprises," "comprising," "having," "including," "includes," or variations thereof are intended to refer to a non-exclusive inclusion, and a process, method, article, composition, or apparatus that includes a list of elements does not include only the listed elements, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such process, method, article, composition, or apparatus. Other combinations and / or modifications of the above-described structure, arrangement, application, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the invention, in addition to those not specifically described, can be changed or specifically adapted to suit particular environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the invention.

[0166]

[0198] Various aspects of the present disclosure are provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present invention. Various modifications to the exemplary embodiments presented throughout this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the concepts disclosed herein may be extended to other similar devices. Accordingly, the claims are not intended to be limited to various aspects of the present disclosure, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims. All structural and functional equivalents known or later known to those skilled in the art to the various components of the exemplary embodiments described throughout this disclosure are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be publicly disclosed, regardless of whether it is expressly recited in the claims. No claim element shall be construed pursuant to the provisions of the sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. §112 unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for" or, in the case of a method claim, using the phrase "step for."

Claims

1. A sensing cartridge, a first member including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, A whole blood feed solution comprising plasma, cellular components in the plasma, and solutes in the plasma, wherein the solutes are ammonium (NH ４ ＋ receiving a whole blood feed solution on the first surface, the whole blood feed solution comprising the blood and at least one other solute; On the second surface, ammonium (NH ４ ＋ ) while retaining cellular components and at least one other solute. a first member configured as above; a second member having a surface in interfacial contact with the second surface of the first member, the interfacial contact creating tension in the surface of the second member, the second member comprising: Ammonium (NH) is transported from the first member via capillary action resulting from the surface tension of the second member. ４ ＋ ) and wicking the plasma with Ammonium to ammonia (NH ３ ammonium (NH) in plasma, shifting the phase equilibrium to NH ４ ＋ ) a second member configured as follows: a third member coupled to the second member, the third member configured to prevent liquid permeation resulting from a phase equilibrium shift from ammonium to ammonia gas; a fourth member coupled to the third member, the fourth member configured to act on the ammonia gas; a sensing cartridge including:

2. The sensing cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the plasma flows through the first member and the second member in at least one of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.

3. The first member has an average pore size between 0.002 μm and 0.05 μm and a surface area of ​​1 square centimeter (cm ２ 0.5 microliters (μL) per 1000 μL of water [μL / cm ２ ] and 60 μL / cm ２ The sensing cartridge of claim 1 , comprising a membrane filter having a void volume between the membrane filter and the sensing cartridge.

4. 2. The sensing cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first member comprises an asymmetric thin film having a first average pore size at a first surface and a second average pore size at a second surface, the first average pore size being larger than the second average pore size.

5. The sensing cartridge of claim 4 , wherein the first average pore size is between 75 micrometers (μm) and 125 μm and the second average pore size is between 0.5 μm and 1.0 μm.

6. 2. The sensing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first member includes at least one of a polysulfone-based material, a polysulfone-based derivative, a cellulose-based material, a cellulose-based derivative, a polyethylene-based material, a polyethylene derivative, a polypropylene-based material, a polypropylene derivative, a polymethyl methacrylate-based material, a polymethyl methacrylate derivative, a polyvinyl alcohol-based material, a polyvinyl alcohol derivative, an ethylene vinyl alcohol-based material, an ethylene vinyl alcohol derivative, a glass fiber, a glass fiber derivative, a polyethersulfone-based material, a polyethersulfone derivative, a carbon-based material, a carbon-based derivative, a polyacrylonitrile-based material, ceramics, anodized alumina, and silica.

7. The sensing cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the second member comprises a wicking layer comprising at least one of a woven paper, a nonwoven paper, a thin film, a natural fiber structure, a synthetic fiber structure, a porous material, and a material.

8. 8. The sensing cartridge of claim 7, wherein the material is one of a cotton material, a cotton derivative, a cellulose material, a cellulose derivative, an ethylcellulose material, an ethylcellulose derivative, a nitrocellulose material, a nitrocellulose derivative, a polyester material, a polyester derivative, a nylon material, a nylon derivative, a glass fiber material, a glass fiber derivative, silica, titanium dioxide, a carbon-based material, a carbon-based derivative, organic nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles, a polyester terephthalate material, and a polyester terephthalate derivative, and further comprises a pore structure that allows plasma to be drawn into the pore structure of the second member by capillary force and a void volume that allows gas diffusion.

9. 2. The sensing cartridge of claim 1, further comprising an upper casing and a lower casing, wherein the first member, the second member, the third member, and the fourth member are coupled together between the upper casing and the lower casing to establish interfacial contact between respective surfaces of the first member and the second member, interfacial contact between respective surfaces of the second member and the third member, and interfacial contact between respective surfaces of the third member and the fourth member, which allow the flow of liquids and gases while limiting resistance and back pressure.

10. The sensing cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the first member comprises a microfluidic structure having a channel diameter of less than 2,000 μm.

11. The sensing cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the second member includes a hydrophobic pattern area extending through the second member, the hydrophobic pattern area exhibiting a hydrophobic deionized water droplet contact angle.

12. 2. The sensing cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second component comprises at least one of a process, an additive, and a catalyst that acts on ammonium in the plasma to shift the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas.

13. 2. The sensing cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second component includes an additive that induces a shift in the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas by changing the pH of the plasma to form an alkaline fluid having a pH of at least 8.

14. 2. The sensing cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second component includes an additive that induces a shift in the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas by changing the pH of the plasma to form an acidic fluid having a pH of up to 6.

5.

15. 10. The sensing cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second member comprises a nanophotonic material configured to heat when irradiated with light in the visible spectrum, thereby changing the temperature of plasma wicked into the second member and affecting the solubility of ammonium in the plasma.

16. The sensing cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the third member is a hydrophobic porous material that allows ammonia gas to diffuse through the third member.

17. The sensing cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the third member is a hydrophobic polymer thin film having a porosity greater than 10%, a thickness less than 200 μm, and an average pore size less than 2 μm.

18. 2. The sensing cartridge of claim 1, wherein the fourth component is an ammonia gas-reactive layer having a polymer coating on a transparent substrate, the ammonia gas-reactive layer including at least one of an indicator, a reactant, and a molecule that interacts with ammonia gas.

19. the polymer coating has a thickness between 1 nanometer (nm) and 100 μm; the indicator is a pH indicator that is at least one of bromophenol blue, bromocresol green, and indophenol; and The pH indicator is placed on a transparent substrate with a thickness of 1 cm. ２ 0.001 micrograms (μg) per [μg / cm ２ ] and 1 μg / cm ２ The sensing cartridge according to claim 18, wherein the ionic liquid is deposited at a concentration between 0.01 and 0.

1.

20. The sensing cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the fourth component is an ammonia gas reaction layer containing a pH indicator and at least one of an alkali, a hydroxide, and a base.

21. 2. The sensing cartridge of claim 1, wherein the fourth member includes an ammonia gas reactive layer that changes proportionally with the amount of gas present.

22. The sensing cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the fourth member is configured to detect ammonia gas.

23. The sensing cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the second member, the third member, and the fourth member have dimensional dimensions that are different from the dimensional dimensions of the first member.

24. 2. The sensing cartridge of claim 1, wherein a zero member is coupled to the first member, the zero member being configured to transport whole blood to the first member via a microfluidic structure extending laterally relative to a first surface of the first member, the microfluidic structure having a channel diameter of less than 2,000 μm.

25. The sensing cartridge of claim 1 , wherein respective edges of the first member and the second member are fused together to provide an interfacial contact.

26. The sensing cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising an upper casing and a lower casing, wherein the first member and the second member are interposed between the upper casing and the lower casing to provide an interface contact.

27. 1. A system comprising: A sensing cartridge, a first member including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, A whole blood feed solution comprising plasma, cellular components in the plasma, and solutes in the plasma, wherein the solutes are ammonium (NH ４ ＋ receiving a whole blood feed solution on the first surface, the whole blood feed solution comprising the blood and at least one other solute; On the second surface, ammonium (NH ４ ＋ ) while retaining cellular components and at least one other solute. A first member configured as follows: a second member having a surface in interfacial contact with the second surface of the first member, the interfacial contact creating tension in the surface of the second member, the second member comprising: Ammonium (NH ) is transported from the first member via capillary action resulting from tension at the surface of the second member. ４ ＋ ) containing plasma, Plasma ammonium (NH ４ ＋ ) to convert ammonium to ammonia (NH ３ ) shifts the phase equilibrium to gas a second member configured as follows: a third member coupled to the second member, the third member configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by a phase equilibrium shift from ammonium to ammonia gas; and a fourth member coupled to the third member, the fourth member configured to act on ammonia gas; a sensing cartridge including: A leader, receiving a sensing cartridge and removably coupling to the sensing cartridge; Quantifying ammonia gas in the sensing cartridge based on at least one of optical sensing, electrochemical sensing, and electrical sensing. With leaders who are structured as A system including:

28. 1. A system comprising: A sensing cartridge, a first member including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, A whole blood feed solution comprising plasma, cellular components in the plasma, and solutes in the plasma, wherein the solutes are ammonium (NH ４ ＋ receiving on the first surface a feed solution of whole blood, the feed solution including the blood component and at least one other solute; On the second surface, ammonium (NH ４ ＋ ) while retaining cellular components and at least one other solute. A first member configured as follows: a second member having a surface in interfacial contact with the second surface of the first member, the interfacial contact creating tension in the surface of the second member, the second member comprising: Ammonium (NH ) is transported from the first member to the second member through capillary action caused by the surface tension of the second member. ４ ＋ ) containing plasma, Plasma ammonium (NH ４ ＋ ) to convert ammonium to ammonia (NH ３ ) shifts the phase equilibrium to gas a second member configured as follows: a third member coupled to the second member, the third member configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by a phase equilibrium shift of ammonium to ammonia gas; and a fourth member coupled to the third member, the fourth member configured to act on ammonia gas; a sensing cartridge including: An optical electronic reader, a light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit light towards the sensing cartridge; and a photodiode configured to sense reflected light from the sensing cartridge and provide a measurement based on the reflected light; an optical electronic reader including: a processor configured to quantify ammonia gas based on the measurements; and A system including:

29. A sensing cartridge, a first member configured to separate plasma from whole blood, the whole blood having cellular components with a hydrodynamic diameter of greater than 0.01 micrometers (μm); a second member coupled to the first member and configured to wick plasma from whole blood, the second member being configured to convert ammonium to ammonia (NH ３ ammonium (NH) in plasma to shift the phase equilibrium to ４ ＋ a second member acting on the a third member coupled to the second member, the third member configured to prevent liquid permeation resulting from a phase equilibrium shift of ammonium to ammonia gas; a fourth member coupled to the third member, the fourth member configured to act on the ammonia gas; a sensing cartridge including:

30. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the plasma flows through the first member and the second member in at least one of a vertical direction and a lateral direction.

31. The first member includes a separation layer that separates plasma from whole blood, the separation layer having an average pore size of greater than 0.01 μm and a surface area of ​​1 square centimeter (cm ２ 0.5 microliters (μL) per 1000 μL of water [μL / cm ２ ] and 60 μL / cm ２ 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, which is a membrane filter having a void volume between.

32. 32. The sensing cartridge of claim 31, wherein the thin film filter is at least one of an organic thin film, an inorganic thin film, a mixed matrix thin film, a composite thin film, a symmetric thin film, and an asymmetric thin film.

33. 32. The sensing cartridge of claim 31 , wherein the thin film is at least one of polysulfone-based materials and derivatives, cellulose-based materials and derivatives, polyethylene materials and derivatives, polypropylene materials and derivatives, polymethyl methacrylate materials and derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol materials and derivatives, ethylene vinyl alcohol materials and derivatives, glass fiber and derivatives, polyethersulfone materials and derivatives, carbon-based materials and derivatives, polyacrylonitrile materials, ceramic, anodized alumina, silica, and combinations of multiple organic and inorganic materials.

34. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the second member includes a wicking layer that wicks plasma from the first member, the wicking layer being at least one of woven paper, nonwoven paper, a thin film, a natural fiber structure, a synthetic fiber structure, a porous material, and a material.

35. 35. The sensing cartridge of claim 34, wherein the material is at least one of cotton materials and cotton derivatives, cellulose materials and cellulose derivatives, ethylcellulose materials and ethylcellulose derivatives, nitrocellulose materials and nitrocellulose derivatives, polyester materials and polyester derivatives, nylon materials and nylon derivatives, glass fiber materials and glass fiber derivatives, silica, titanium dioxide, carbon-based materials and carbon-based derivatives, organic nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles, and polyester terephthalate materials and polyester terephthalate derivatives, and further comprises a pore structure that allows plasma to be drawn into the pore structure of the second member by capillary forces and a void volume that allows gas diffusion.

36. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the first member, the second member, the third member, and the fourth member are coupled to provide interfacial contact that allows for the flow of liquids and gases while limiting resistance and back pressure.

37. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the first member comprises a microfluidic structure having a channel diameter of less than 2,000 μm for separating plasma from whole blood.

38. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the second member includes a hydrophobic pattern area extending through the second member, the hydrophobic pattern area exhibiting a hydrophobic deionized water droplet contact angle.

39. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the second component includes at least one of a process, an additive, and a catalyst that acts on ammonium in the plasma to shift the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas.

40. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the second component includes an additive that induces a shift in the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas by changing the pH of the plasma to form an alkaline fluid having a pH of at least 8.

41. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the second component includes an additive that induces a shift in the phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas by changing the pH of the plasma to form an acidic fluid having a pH of up to 6.

5.

42. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the second member induces a shift in phase equilibrium from ammonium to ammonia gas by changing the temperature of the plasma so as to affect the solubility of ammonium in the plasma.

43. The temperature of the plasma is a nanophotonic material contained in a second component, the nanophotonic material configured to heat when irradiated with light in the visible spectrum; and a conductive member included in the second member, the conductive member being configured to be resistively heated by an applied current; The sensing cartridge of claim 42, wherein the change is made via at least one of the following:

44. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the third member is a hydrophobic porous material that allows ammonia gas to diffuse through the third member.

45. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the third member is a hydrophobic polymer thin film having a porosity greater than 10%, a thickness less than 200 μm, and an average pore size less than 2 μm.

46. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the fourth component is an ammonia gas-reactive layer having a polymer coating on a transparent substrate, the ammonia gas-reactive layer including at least one of an indicator, a reactant, and a molecule that interacts with ammonia gas.

47. the polymer coating has a thickness between 1 nanometer (nm) and 100 μm; the indicator is a pH indicator that is at least one of bromophenol blue, bromocresol green, and indophenol; and The pH indicator is placed on a transparent substrate with a thickness of 1 cm. ２ 0.001 micrograms (μg) per [μg / cm ２ ] and 1 μg / cm ２ It is deposited at a concentration between The sensing cartridge of claim 46.

48. 30. The sensing cartridge according to claim 29, wherein the fourth component is an ammonia gas reaction layer containing a pH indicator and at least one of an alkali, a hydroxide, and a base.

49. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the fourth member includes an ammonia gas reactive layer that has a proportional change in response to the amount of gas present.

50. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the fourth member is configured to detect ammonia gas.

51. 30. The sensing cartridge according to claim 29, wherein the fourth member acts on ammonia gas by reacting with the ammonia gas.

52. 30. The sensing cartridge according to claim 29, wherein the fourth member acts on ammonia gas by capturing the ammonia gas.

53. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the first member, the second member, the third member, and the fourth member have the same dimensional dimensions.

54. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein the second member, the third member, and the fourth member have dimensional dimensions that are between 50% and 150% of the dimensional dimensions of the first member.

55. 30. The sensing cartridge of claim 29, wherein a zero member is coupled to the first member, the zero member being configured to be capable of transporting whole blood to the first member through a microfluidic structure having a channel diameter of less than 2,000 μm.

56. 1. A method for extracting plasma from whole blood, comprising: separating plasma from whole blood with a first member, the whole blood including cellular components having a hydrodynamic diameter of greater than 0.01 micrometers (μm); wicking plasma from whole blood by a second member, the second member converting ammonium to ammonia (NH ３ ammonium (NH) in plasma to shift the phase equilibrium to ４ ＋ ) by wicking plasma from whole blood. A method comprising:

57. 1. A system comprising: A sensing cartridge, a first member configured to separate plasma from whole blood, the whole blood having cellular components with a hydrodynamic diameter of greater than 0.01 micrometers (μm); a second member coupled to the first member and configured to wick plasma from whole blood, the second member converting ammonium to ammonia (NH ３ ammonium (NH) in plasma to shift the phase equilibrium to ４ ＋ a second member acting on the a third member coupled to the second member, the third member configured to prevent liquid permeation resulting from a phase equilibrium shift from ammonium to ammonia gas; a fourth member coupled to the third member, the fourth member configured to act on ammonia gas; A leader, receiving and removably coupling to a sensing cartridge; Quantifying ammonia gas in the sensing cartridge based on at least one of optical sensing, electrochemical sensing, and electrical sensing. With leaders who are structured as A system including:

58. 1. A system comprising: A sensing cartridge, a first member configured to separate plasma from whole blood, the whole blood having cellular components with a hydrodynamic diameter of greater than 0.01 micrometers (μm); a second member coupled to the first member and configured to wick plasma from whole blood, the second member being configured to convert ammonium to ammonia (NH ３ ammonium (NH) in plasma to shift the phase equilibrium to ４ ＋ a second member acting on the a third member coupled to the second member, the third member configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by a phase equilibrium shift from ammonium to ammonia gas; and a fourth member coupled to the third member, the fourth member configured to act on ammonia gas; a sensing cartridge including: An optical electronic reader, a light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit light towards the sensing cartridge; and a photodiode configured to sense reflected light from the sensing cartridge and provide a measurement based on the reflected light; an optical electronic reader including: a processor configured to quantify ammonia gas based on the measurements; and A system including:

59. A sensing cartridge, a first member configured to separate a plurality of components, including a permeate, from a feed solution, the first member being an asymmetric membrane having a first surface having a first average pore size for receiving the plurality of components of the feed solution and a second surface opposite the first surface having a second average pore size for receiving a subset of the plurality of components (including the permeate), the first average pore size being larger than the second average pore size; a second member having a surface in interfacial contact with the second surface of the first member, the interfacial contact creating tension on the surface of the second member that results in wicking of permeate from the first member by capillary action; a sensing cartridge including:

60. 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein the second member is configured to act on constituents in the permeate to shift the phase equilibrium of the constituents to a gaseous state.

61. 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein the second member is configured to transport the permeate to another member, and the other member is configured to act on constituents in the permeate to shift the phase equilibrium of the antibiotic to a gaseous state.

62. 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein the feed solution and the permeate solution flow through the first member and the second member in at least one of a vertical direction and a lateral direction.

63. the average pore size of the first surface of the asymmetric thin film is between 75 micrometers (μm) and 125 μm; 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein the average pore size of the second surface of the asymmetric thin film is between 500 nanometers (nm) and 1 μm.

64. 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein the asymmetric thin film comprises at least one of an organic material, an inorganic material, or a combination of an organic material and an inorganic material.

65. 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein the second member comprises a wicking layer comprising at least one of a woven paper, a nonwoven paper, a thin film, a natural fiber structure, a synthetic fiber structure, a porous material, and a material.

66. 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein the interfacial contact between the first member and the second member allows for the flow of liquids and gases while limiting resistance and back pressure.

67. 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein the first member comprises a microfluidic structure having a channel diameter of less than 2,000 μm for separating multiple components from a feed solution.

68. 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein the second member includes a hydrophobic pattern area extending through the second member, the hydrophobic pattern area exhibiting a hydrophobic deionized water droplet contact angle.

69. 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein the second component comprises at least one of a process, an additive, and a catalyst that acts on the constituents in the permeate to shift the phase equilibrium of the constituents to a gaseous state.

70. 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein the second component comprises an additive that induces a shift in the phase equilibrium of the permeate by changing the pH of the permeate to form an alkaline fluid having a pH of at least 8.

71. 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein the second component comprises an additive that induces a shift in the phase equilibrium of the permeate by changing the pH of the permeate to form an acidic fluid having a pH of up to 6.

5.

72. 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein the second member induces a shift in the phase equilibrium of the permeate by changing the temperature of the permeate to affect the solubility of the gas in the permeate.

73. The temperature of the permeate is a nanophotonic material contained in a second component, the nanophotonic material being heated when irradiated with light in the visible spectrum; and a conductive member included in the second member, the conductive member being resistively heated by an applied current; The sensing cartridge of claim 72, wherein the change is made via at least one of the following:

74. 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein a third member is coupled to the second member, the third member being configured to prevent permeation of a liquid permeant through the second member.

75. 75. The sensing cartridge of claim 74, wherein the third member is a hydrophobic porous material that prevents liquid from passing through the third member and allows gas to diffuse through the third member.

76. 75. The sensing cartridge of claim 74, wherein the third member is a hydrophobic polymer thin film having a porosity greater than 10%, a thickness less than 200 μm, and an average pore size less than 2 μm.

77. a third member coupled to the second member, the third member configured to prevent further permeation of the liquid permeant from the second member; A fourth member is coupled to the third member, the fourth member being configured to capture diffusing gases of constituents in the permeate.

60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59.

78. a third member coupled to the second member, the third member configured to prevent further permeation of the liquid permeant from the second member; A fourth member is coupled to the third member, the fourth member being configured to react with a diffusing gas of the constituent in the permeate.

60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59.

79. 79. The sensing cartridge of claim 78, wherein the first member, the second member, the third member, and the fourth member have the same dimensional dimensions.

80. 79. The sensing cartridge of claim 78, wherein the second member, the third member, and the fourth member have dimensional dimensions that are between 50% and 150% of the dimensional dimensions of the first member.

81. 79. The sensing cartridge of claim 78, wherein the fourth member includes a gas-responsive layer whose frequency changes proportionally with the amount of gas present.

82. 24. The sensing cartridge of claim 23, wherein the gas-responsive layer comprises at least one of a plasmonic nanoparticle and a redox mediator.

83. 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein a zero member is coupled to the first member, the zero member being configured to transport a feed solution to the first member through a microfluidic structure having a channel diameter of less than 2,000 μm.

84. a second member configured to act on the constituents in the permeate to shift the phase equilibrium of the constituents to a gaseous state; The constituent material is ammonium (NH ４ ＋ ), bicarbonate (HCO ３ － ), carbonate (CO ３ ２－ ), hemoglobin, carbon monoxide (CO), cyanuric acid (HCN), chloride (Cl － ), proton (H ＋ ), nitrate (NO ３ － ), nitrite (NO ２ － ), arsenite (AsO ３ ３－ ), arsenate (AsO ４ ３－ ), sulfate (SO ４ ２－ ) is a dissolved ionic species that is at least one of 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59.

85. a second member configured to act on the constituents in the permeate to shift the phase equilibrium of the constituents to a gaseous state; The constituent material is ammonia (NH ３ ), carbon dioxide (CO ２ ), carbon monoxide (CO), cyanuric acid (HCN), chlorine (Cl ２ ), hydrogen (H ２ ), nitrogen dioxide (NO ２ ), nitric oxide (NO), arsenic trioxide (As ２ O ３ ), diarsenic pentoxide (As ２ O ５ ), sulfur dioxide (SO ２ 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein the dissolved gas includes at least one of the following:

86. 1. A method for extracting a permeate from a feed solution, comprising: separating a plurality of components, including a permeate, from a feed solution with a first member, the first member being an asymmetric membrane having a first surface having a first average pore size for receiving the plurality of components of the feed solution and a second surface opposite the first surface having a second average pore size for receiving a subset of the plurality of components (including the permeate), the first average pore size being larger than the second average pore size; wicking permeate from the first member with a second member, the second member having a surface in interfacial contact with a second surface of the first member, the interfacial contact creating tension on the surface of the second member that results in wicking of the permeate from the first member by capillary action; The second element shifts the phase equilibrium of the constituents in the permeate to a gaseous state. A method comprising:

87. 1. A system comprising: A sensing cartridge, a first member configured to separate a plurality of components, including a permeate, from a feed solution, the first member being an asymmetric membrane having a first surface having a first average pore size for receiving the plurality of components of the feed solution and a second surface opposite the first surface having a second average pore size for receiving a subset of the plurality of components (including the permeate), the first average pore size being larger than the second average pore size; and a second member having a surface in interfacial contact with the second surface of the first member, the interfacial contact creating tension on the surface of the second member that results in wicking of the permeate from the first member by capillary action, the second member being configured to shift the phase equilibrium of constituents in the permeate to a gaseous state; a sensing cartridge including: A leader, receiving a sensing cartridge and removably coupling to the sensing cartridge; a reader configured to quantify constituents in the sensing cartridge based on at least one of optical sensing, electrochemical sensing, and electrical sensing; A system including:

88. 1. A system comprising: A sensing cartridge, a first member configured to separate a plurality of components, including a permeate, from a feed solution, the first member being an asymmetric membrane having a first surface having a first average pore size for receiving the plurality of components of the feed solution and a second surface opposite the first surface having a second average pore size for receiving a subset of the plurality of components (including the permeate), the first average pore size being larger than the second average pore size; a second member having a surface in interfacial contact with the second surface of the first member, the interfacial contact creating tension on the surface of the second member that results in wicking of the permeate from the first member by capillary action, the second member acting on constituents in the permeate to shift the phase equilibrium of the constituents to a gaseous state; a third member coupled to the second member, the third member configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by a shift in phase equilibrium of the constituent materials to a gaseous state; and a fourth member coupled to the third member, the fourth member configured to react to the diffusing gas of the constituent; a sensing cartridge including: An optical electronic reader, a sensing light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit light toward the sensing cartridge; and a sensing photodiode configured to sense reflected light from the sensing cartridge and provide a measurement based on the reflected light; an optical electronic reader including: a processor configured to quantify the constituents based on the measurements; A system including:

89. A sensing cartridge, a first member configured to separate components from a feed solution, the components having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 micrometers (μm); a second member coupled to the first member, the second member configured to wick permeate from the first member; a sensing cartridge including:

90. 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89, wherein the second member is configured to act on constituents in the permeate to shift the phase equilibrium of the constituents to a gaseous state.

91. 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89, wherein the second member is configured to transport the permeate to another member, and the other member is configured to act on constituents in the permeate to shift the phase equilibrium of the antibiotic to a gaseous state.

92. 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89, wherein the feed solution and the permeate solution flow through the first member and the second member in at least one of a vertical direction and a lateral direction.

93. The first member includes a separating layer that separates the components from the feed solution, the separating layer having an average pore size of greater than 0.01 μm and a surface area of ​​1 square centimeter (cm ２ 0.5 microliters (μL) per 1000 μL of water [μL / cm ２ ] and 60 μL / cm ２ 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89, which is a membrane filter having a void volume between.

94. 94. The sensing cartridge of claim 93, wherein the thin film filter is at least one of an organic thin film, an inorganic thin film, a mixed matrix thin film, a composite thin film, a symmetric thin film, and an asymmetric thin film.

95. 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89, wherein the second member includes a wicking layer that wicks permeate from the first member, the wicking layer being at least one of woven paper, nonwoven paper, a thin film, a natural fiber structure, a synthetic fiber structure, a porous material, and a material.

96. 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89, wherein the first member and second member are coupled to provide an interfacial contact that allows for the flow of liquids and gases that limits resistance and back pressure.

97. 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89, wherein the first member comprises a microfluidic structure having a channel diameter of less than 2,000 μm for separating components from a feed solution.

98. 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89, wherein the second member includes a hydrophobic pattern area extending through the second member, the hydrophobic pattern area exhibiting a hydrophobic deionized water droplet contact angle.

99. 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89, wherein the second component comprises at least one of a process, an additive, and a catalyst that acts on the constituents in the permeate to shift the phase equilibrium of the constituents to a gaseous state.

100. 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89, wherein the second component comprises an additive that induces a shift in the phase equilibrium of the permeate by changing the pH of the permeate to form an alkaline fluid having a pH of at least 8.

101. 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89, wherein the second component comprises an additive that induces a shift in the phase equilibrium of the permeate by changing the pH of the permeate to form an acidic fluid having a pH of up to 6.

5.

102. 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89, wherein the second member induces a change in the phase equilibrium of the permeate by changing the temperature of the permeate to affect the solubility of the gas in the permeate.

103. The temperature of the permeate is a nanophotonic material contained in a second component, the nanophotonic material heating when irradiated with light in the visible spectrum; and a conductive member included in the second member, the conductive member being resistively heated by an applied current; The sensing cartridge of claim 102, wherein the change is made via at least one of the following:

104. 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89, wherein a third member is coupled to the second member, the third member being configured to prevent permeation of a liquid permeant through the second member.

105. 105. The sensing cartridge of claim 104, wherein the third member is a hydrophobic porous material that prevents liquid from passing through the third member and allows gas to diffuse through the third member.

106. The sensing cartridge of claim 104, wherein the third member is a hydrophobic polymer thin film having a porosity greater than 10%, a thickness less than 200 μm, and an average pore size less than 2 μm.

107. a third member coupled to the second member, the third member configured to prevent further permeation of the liquid permeant from the second member; 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein a fourth member is coupled to the third member, the fourth member being configured to capture diffusing gases of the constituents in the permeate liquid.

108. a third member coupled to the second member, the third member configured to prevent further permeation of the liquid permeant from the second member; 60. The sensing cartridge of claim 59, wherein a fourth member is coupled to the third member, the fourth member being configured to react to a diffusing gas of a constituent in the permeate liquid.

109. 109. The sensing cartridge of claim 108, wherein the first member, the second member, the third member, and the fourth member have the same dimensional dimensions.

110. 109. The sensing cartridge of claim 108, wherein the second member, the third member, and the fourth member have dimensional dimensions that are between 50% and 150% of the dimensional dimensions of the first member.

111. 109. The sensing cartridge of claim 108, wherein the fourth member includes a gas-responsive layer whose frequency changes proportionally with the amount of gas present.

112. 112. The sensing cartridge of claim 111, wherein the gas-responsive layer comprises at least one of plasmonic nanoparticles and a redox mediator.

113. 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89, wherein a zero member is coupled to the first member, and the zero member is configured to transport the feed solution to the first member through a microfluidic structure having a channel diameter of less than 2,000 μm.

114. a second member configured to act on the constituents in the permeate to shift the phase equilibrium of the constituents to a gaseous state; The constituent material is ammonium (NH ４ ＋ ), bicarbonate (HCO ３ － ), carbonate (CO ３ ２－ ), hemoglobin, carbon monoxide (CO), cyanuric acid (HCN), chloride (Cl － ), proton (H ＋ ), nitrate (NO ３ － ), nitrite (NO ２ － ), arsenite (AsO ３ ３－ ), arsenate (AsO ４ ３－ ), sulfate (SO ４ ２－ ) is a dissolved ionic species that is at least one of 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89.

115. a second member configured to act on the constituents in the permeate to shift the phase equilibrium of the constituents to a gaseous state; The constituent material is ammonia (NH ３ ), carbon dioxide (CO ２ ), carbon monoxide (CO), cyanuric acid (HCN), chlorine (Cl ２ ), hydrogen (H ２ ), nitrogen dioxide (NO ２ ), nitric oxide (NO), arsenic trioxide (As ２ O ３ ), diarsenic pentoxide (As ２ O ５ ), sulfur dioxide (SO ２ 90. The sensing cartridge of claim 89, wherein the dissolved gas includes at least one of the following:

116. 1. A method for extracting permeate from a feed solution, comprising: separating a component from a feed solution with a first member, the component having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 micrometers (μm); wicking permeate from the first member with a second member; The second element shifts the phase equilibrium of the constituents in the permeate to a gaseous state. A method comprising:

117. 1. A system comprising: A sensing cartridge, a first member configured to separate components from a feed solution, the components having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 micrometers (μm); and a second member coupled to the first member, the second member configured to wick the permeate from the first member and shift the phase equilibrium of constituents in the permeate to a gaseous state; a sensing cartridge including: A leader, receiving a sensing cartridge and removably coupling to the sensing cartridge; a reader configured to quantify constituents in the sensing cartridge based on at least one of optical sensing, electrochemical sensing, and electrical sensing; A system including:

118. 1. A system comprising: A sensing cartridge, a first member configured to separate components from a feed solution, the components having a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 0.01 micrometers (μm); a second member coupled to the first member and configured to wick permeate from the feed solution, the second member acting on constituents in the permeate to shift the phase equilibrium of the constituents to a gaseous state; a third member coupled to the second member, the third member configured to prevent liquid permeation caused by a shift in phase equilibrium of the constituent materials to a gaseous state; and a fourth member coupled to the third member, the fourth member configured to react to the diffusing gas of the constituent; a sensing cartridge including: An optical electronic reader, a sensing light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit light toward the sensing cartridge; and a sensing photodiode configured to sense reflected light from the sensing cartridge and provide a measurement based on the reflected light; an optical electronic reader including: a processor configured to quantify the constituents based on the measurements; A system including:

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