Solid-State Ion Selective Electrode Sealing to Prevent Carryover
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ion selective electrodes (ISEs) are expensive, have long response times, require large sample sizes, and suffer from issues like carryover due to inadequate sealing and contamination from adhesives, leading to inaccurate and unreliable test results.
Innovation Solution
The development of a solid-state ion selective electrode assembly with a pressure-sealed membrane and transducer assembly that eliminates the need for adhesives, reduces response time, and allows for smaller sample volumes, using a threaded portion to create a permanent seal between the transducer and housing, and a parallel testing assembly for simultaneous measurement of multiple ions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional ion selective electrodes use adhesives to seal the membrane to the sample path, then assembly is simplified, but contamination occurs and causes carryover between samples
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes adhesives entirely from the sealing process. Instead of using adhesive to bond the membrane to the sample path, the invention uses a mechanical compression seal where the membrane is pressed against the sample path by a compression element, eliminating the source of contamination and carryover.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism (adhesive) with a mechanical compression system. The compression element applies mechanical force to press the membrane against the sample path, creating a seal through physical compression rather than chemical adhesion.
2Reliability
If conventional ISEs use complex assembly with multiple sealing features, then sealing may be improved, but device complexity increases and assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single compression element. This single component simultaneously seals the membrane to the sample path, seals the transducer to the housing, and provides structural support, eliminating the need for multiple separate sealing features and reducing overall assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression element serves multiple functions: it seals the membrane, seals the transducer, provides mechanical support, and ensures proper positioning. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining reliable sealing.
3Measurement precision
If conventional ISEs require large sample volumes, then measurement accuracy may be maintained, but productivity decreases and sample throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the membrane and sample path interface to optimize for smaller sample volumes. The compression seal creates a more efficient sample-membrane contact geometry that maintains measurement accuracy with reduced sample quantities, enabling faster processing and higher throughput.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional ISEs use adhesives for assembly, then manufacturing may be simplified, but maintenance requirements increase due to adhesive degradation over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a compression-based sealing system that is either part of a disposable electrode assembly or can be easily replaced in reusable assemblies. This eliminates long-term adhesive degradation issues, as the compression elements can be replaced or discarded with the electrode, simplifying maintenance and ensuring consistent performance.
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 solution provides accurate, rapid, and reliable ion concentration measurements with reduced maintenance requirements, minimizing contamination and carryover, and enabling faster sample throughput by eliminating the need for adhesives and reducing assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the membrane is configured to produce an electrical potential based upon contact with the liquid solution
Implementation Method 2
the socket plug is configured to... compress the membrane against the sensing aperture and form a fluid-tight seal
Data Source
AI summary
An ion selective electrode (“ISE”) assembly may be installed within a sample path of a biological testing system to measure ion concentration within sample fluid flowing through the sample path. A transducer membrane is placed within a housing and positioned to contact the sample path. A threaded portion is advanced into a socket of the housing and forces the membrane against a sealing portion of the sample path to prevent retention of sample fluid within the housing after testing. Sealing may be accomplished without adhesives or sealants and instead relies upon mechanical pressure of the threaded portion. Another implementation includes a reference measuring electrode and several ion measuring electrodes combined into a single housing. Another implementation includes a reference measuring electrode and several ion measuring electrodes combined into a cartridge that includes a sample well instead of a sample path.