Potentiometric Sensor Coated Membrane Dry Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Potentiometric sensors used in single-use containers face challenges with prolonged dry storage, leading to extended response times due to gel layer drying out or damage, which complicates their reactivation and measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A potentiometric sensor apparatus with a coated measuring membrane that includes a protective layer to maintain the gel layer during dry storage, allowing for faster reactivation and measurement response upon immersion in a liquid, featuring a coating that dissolves slowly to form a gel layer and includes a calibration means for pH measurements, and a dryable reference half-cell design to prevent electrolyte leakage and ionization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the sensor apparatus is stored dry for prolonged periods, then storage stability is improved, but the gel layer dries out or damages leading to extended response times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a protective coating to the measuring membrane before storage, which maintains the gel layer in a hydrated state during dry storage. This preliminary protective action prevents gel layer drying out and damage, enabling the sensor to maintain fast response characteristics after prolonged dry storage and sterilization
Solution Approach 2:
The protective coating acts as an intermediary substance between the measuring membrane and the dry storage environment. This coating layer prevents direct interaction between the gel layer and dry air, thereby preserving the gel layer's hydration and functional properties during storage
2Reliability
If the sensor apparatus undergoes gamma radiation sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the gel layer may dry out or damage extending response time
Solution Approach 1:
The protective coating is applied to the measuring membrane before sterilization, preparing the gel layer to withstand the sterilization process. This preliminary protection allows the sensor to undergo gamma radiation sterilization while maintaining gel layer integrity and fast response characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The protective coating provides beforehand cushioning or protection to the gel layer against the harsh conditions of gamma radiation sterilization. This protective barrier prevents radiation-induced drying out or damage to the gel layer, ensuring rapid response time after sterilization
3Loss of time
If the coating dissolves slowly to maintain the gel layer, then response time is improved, but the coating material remains longer potentially interfering with measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a coating material with specifically controlled dissolution parameters - it dissolves at a slow, controlled rate that maintains gel layer hydration during storage and sterilization, then completely dissolves in the measured medium to eliminate interference with measurements. The dissolution rate and complete solubility are key parameters optimized in the invention
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
The coated sensor apparatus achieves faster response times and improved measurement stability after dry storage and sterilization, reducing the time to reach a stable potential difference within a predetermined tolerance range, while maintaining functionality and safety for gamma radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
the glass membrane forms a gel layer. In such case, there occurs on the interface between the membrane glass and the aqueous medium a dissociation, in the case of which alkali ions of the glass are replaced by protons from the aqueous medium, so that a large number of hydroxyl groups are formed in the gel layer
Implementation Method 2
a coating, which is embodied, upon immersion of at least one immersion region of the sensor apparatus (which region comprises the measuring membrane and is intended for immersion in a measured medium) in a liquid, especially a water containing liquid, in the case of continued contact with the liquid, to dissolve, at least partially, off of the measuring membrane
Implementation Method 3
The determining of the measured variable occurs based on the registering of a potential difference occurring between the measuring half-cell and the reference half-cell in contact with the measured medium
Implementation Method 4
A potentiometric sensor apparatus with a coated measuring membrane that includes a protective layer to maintain the gel layer during dry storage
Implementation Method 5
a coating that dissolves slowly to form a gel layer
Data Source
AI summary
A potentiometric sensor apparatus, comprising: a measuring half-cell having a measuring membrane; a reference half-cell; and a measurement circuit for registering a potential difference between the measuring half-cell and the reference half-cell. The measuring membrane has, covering at least one portion of the measuring membrane during dry storage of the sensor apparatus, a coating, which is embodied, upon immersion of at least one immersion region of the sensor apparatus (which region comprises the measuring membrane and is intended for immersion in a measured medium) in a liquid, especially a water containing liquid, in the case of continued contact with the liquid, to dissolve, at least partially, off of the measuring membrane.