pH-change sensor and method

US7794584B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Research Foundation of the State University of New York · US

Inventors

• Vamsy Chodavarapu · Brossard, CA
• Alexander N. Cartwright · Williamsville, US
• Albert H. Titus · Buffalo, US
• Rachel M. Bukowski · Buffalo, US
• Frank V. Bright · Williamsville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 12, 2006
• Grant date: Sep 14, 2010
• Expiry date: Jul 15, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N27/4145
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

pH-change sensors and related methods are disclosed. One such sensor may have a first ion-sensitive transistor-operational-transconductance-amplifier (the “first IOTA”) and a second ion-sensitive transistor-operational-transconductance-amplifier (the “second IOTA”). Each IOTA may have an ion-sensitive transistor, a load transistor, and an output. In each IOTA, the drain region of the ion-sensitive transistor may be connected to the drain region of the load transistor. A differential sensor may be connected to the IOTAs, and an output from the differential sensor may indicate a voltage difference between the IOTA outputs. The output from the differential sensor may be used to provide an indication of a change in pH.