Dry-Stored pH Sensor with Hygroscopic Wick Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pH sensors face challenges in maintaining moisture retention and component stability during storage and shipping, particularly in medical applications where esophageal or pharyngeal pH measurements require a compact sensor system with ion-conducting electrolytic gel, which degrades if not properly packaged.
Innovation Solution
A pH sensor design that combines an antimony metal segment with a dielectric material and a reference wick impregnated with hygroscopic materials like hydroxyethylcellulose and sodium chloride, allowing dry packaging and activation upon exposure to aqueous liquids, forming an electrolytic gel that facilitates accurate pH measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pH sensor is packaged with ion-conducting electrolytic gel to maintain functionality, then the sensor can perform pH measurements, but moisture retention becomes difficult during shipping and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The reference wick is pre-impregnated with a dry matrix of hygroscopic materials (hydroxyethylcellulose and sodium chloride) that will form electrolytic gel upon contact with body fluids. This preliminary preparation allows the sensor to be shipped and stored in a dry state while automatically activating when exposed to aqueous liquids, resolving the contradiction between maintaining ion conduction capability and preventing moisture-related degradation during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor transitions from a dry stored state to a hydrated activated state through parameter change. The hygroscopic materials in the reference wick absorb water from body fluids, transforming from a dry matrix to an electrolytic gel, enabling ion conduction only when needed during use, thus eliminating the need for continuous moisture retention during storage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sensor is packaged dry to maintain component stability, then storage and shipping are improved, but the sensor cannot perform pH measurements without activation
Solution Approach 1:
The reference wick is pre-impregnated with a dry matrix of hygroscopic materials that is ready to activate upon contact with body fluids. This preliminary preparation allows the sensor to be shipped and stored in a dry state while automatically activating when exposed to aqueous liquids, resolving the contradiction between maintaining ion conduction capability and preventing moisture-related degradation during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor activates itself through the natural absorption process. When the sensor tip contacts body fluids, the hydrophilic coating and impregnated reference wick automatically absorb the solution to create electrolytic gel, eliminating the need for external activation procedures and ensuring reliable pH measurement capability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the reference wick is impregnated with hygroscopic materials to enable dry packaging, then storage stability is improved, but the sensor requires rapid hydration to activate
Solution Approach 1:
The reference wick utilizes a porous fibrous structure that facilitates rapid capillary absorption of body fluids. The porosity allows quick penetration and distribution of the hydration solution throughout the wick, enabling rapid activation while maintaining the dry packaged state during storage. The capillary action in the porous material ensures fast hydration without requiring complex activation mechanisms.
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 stable storage and rapid activation of pH sensors, minimizing component degradation and ensuring accurate pH readings in both liquid and humid environments, suitable for various applications including medical and industrial use.
Implementation Method 1
The reference wick is sheathed with a polymer tube, which acts as a capillary tube, facilitating the liquid flow
Implementation Method 2
the hydrophilic coating along with the impregnated reference wick, absorb the solution to create an electrolytic gel inside the reference wick
Implementation Method 3
a dry matrix of hygroscopic materials such as hydroxyethylcellulose and sodium chloride, which when hydrated, forms an electrolytic gel
Implementation Method 4
The pH measuring electrode and reference electrode can be thought of as a battery, with a voltage that varies with pH of the measured solution
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention pertains to a means of combining and configuring specific hydrophilic and dielectric materials in such a way as to allow an antimony/reference electrode pH sensor to be packaged and stored dry yet become fully hydrated to an activated state after exposure to aqueous liquids. The sensor is packaged and stored dry to maintain component stability and minimize component degradation. When the user removes the sensor from the package and the sensor tip is submerged in a hydration (ion conduction) media or solution, the hydrophilic coating along with the impregnated reference wick, absorb the fluid to create an electrolytic gel inside the reference wick, which activates the pH sensor.