Solid-State Electrode Array for Chloride-Independent Tissue pH
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pH measurement technologies for animal tissues are invasive, prone to damage, and sensitive to chloride ion concentration, lacking real-time monitoring capabilities and biocompatibility.
Innovation Solution
An electrode array comprising an indicator electrode with antimony, ruthenium (IV) oxide, or conductive polymer and a reference electrode with a conductive polymer and ionic liquid-polyurethane membrane, designed for non-invasive attachment and independent of chloride concentration, integrated with a temperature sensor for real-time pH monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional silver chloride electrodes are used for pH measurement, then the measurement can be performed, but the electrodes are sensitive to chloride ion concentration and require invasive tissue disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrode by replacing silver chloride with antimony or ruthenium oxide materials, and using a polymer membrane containing ionic liquid instead of traditional glass or silver chloride membranes. This parameter change eliminates sensitivity to chloride ion concentration while maintaining pH measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials including a polymer membrane composed of polyurethane and ionic liquid, combined with antimony or ruthenium oxide coating on the electrode surface. This composite structure provides both mechanical stability and chemical selectivity for pH measurement independent of chloride concentration
2Productivity
If invasive electrode insertion is used to measure tissue pH, then real-time monitoring is possible, but tissue damage and loss of mechanical integrity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible polymer membrane containing ionic liquid as the electrode interface with tissue. This thin film structure allows non-invasive or minimally invasive contact with tissue surfaces, enabling real-time pH monitoring without requiring sharp electrode insertion that would cause tissue damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical insertion method with a chemical/biological interface method using the polymer membrane that can be applied to tissue surfaces. This substitution eliminates the need for physical penetration of tissue while maintaining the ability to measure pH in real-time through the membrane's ion-selective properties
3Measurement precision
If conventional electrodes are used, then pH measurement is possible, but temperature effects are not accounted for and biocompatibility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a temperature sensor alongside the pH electrode to measure temperature at the same location. This feedback mechanism allows the system to account for temperature effects on pH measurements through compensation calculations, maintaining measurement accuracy across varying temperature conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition to antimony or ruthenium oxide with polymer membrane, which provides better temperature stability and biocompatibility compared to traditional glass or silver chloride electrodes. This parameter change reduces temperature-induced measurement drift and improves compatibility with living tissues
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise, real-time pH measurement of animal tissues without tissue disruption, maintaining mechanical integrity and stability, and accounting for temperature effects, while providing accurate pH values independent of chloride concentration.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the pH of animal tissues using electromotive force measurement
Implementation Method 2
a membrane containing ionic liquid and polyurethane
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrode array (1) for measuring the pH of animal tissues comprising an indicator electrode (2), and a reference electrode (3). The reference electrode (3) is all solid state and comprises a steel wire (3a) with an applied layer of conductive polymer (3b) and with a membrane (3c) containing ionic liquid and polyurethane. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a probe (11) for real-time continuous measurement of the pH of animal tissues comprising a body (12) in the form of a mounting capsule in which an electrode array (1) according to the present invention, a vacuum system (13), a temperature sensor (14) are housed. The vacuum system (13) is designed to attach the probe (11) to the tissue surface and comprises a vacuum tube (13a) and a vacuum surface (13b), wherein the temperature sensor (14) is a contact sensor designed to be applied to the surface of the tissue.