Potential and diffusion controlled solid electrolyte sensor for continuous measurement of very low levels of transdermal alcohol
US5944661A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2010/0009
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for continuous tracking of blood alcohol, is comprised of 1) a potential- and diffusion-controlled electrochemical solid polymer electrolyte sensor that continuously and concurrently measures very low concentrations of ethanol vapor at the surface of the skin as well as skin properties such as temperature and ionic conductivity, 2) a sensor control circuit, and 3) a data acquisition-recording device. Sensitive and reproducible measurements of ethanol over a wide population range is obtained by simultaneously maintaining the potential of the sensing electrode constant at a voltage above the rest potential of the platinum/air (O.sub.2) electrode and by use of a thin, permselective diffusion-control membrane over the sensing electrode, and in series with the human stratum corneum membrane. The electrochemical oxidation current is a direct measure of the local ethanol vapor concentration over the skin surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.