US4519973A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ion selective membranes for use in ion sensing electrodes
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
•
Filing: 1983-08-03
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Granted: 1985-05-28
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Expires: 2003-08-03
Abstract
Abstract An improved method for producing ion-selective membranes having a desired shape and of a desired plastic, for incorporation in ion-sensing electrodes, and the electrodes incorporating these membranes. This method allows the use of preformed polymeric members having the desired shape to produce ion-selective membranes, allowing simplified production of ion-sensing electrodes, as well as combination ion-sensing and reference electrodes.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick T. Cahalan
- 👤 Allan H. Jevne
- 👤 Eric J. Fogt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/28; G01N27/40; G01N27/30; G01N27/333; G01N27/3335; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of producing an ion-sensing electrode from a tube of solid swellable plastic having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer wall and a first lumen, comprising the following steps: dissolving an ion-selective material in a solvent which is a swelling agent for said solid swellable plastic; subsequently soaking at least a portion of said tube in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved; after said soaking step drying said tube until said solvent evaporates; and after said drying step filling the first lumen of said tube with an electrolyte gel, sealing the distal end of the first lumen of said tube and inserting a first electrode into the first lumen of said tube.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of producing an ion-sensing electrode from a tube of solid swellable plastic having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer wall and a first lumen, comprising the following steps: dissolving an ion-selective material in a solvent which is a swelling agent for said solid swellable plastic; subsequently soaking at least a portion of said tube in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved; after said soaking step drying said tube until said solvent evaporates; and after said drying step filling the first lumen of said tube with an electrolyte gel, sealing the distal end of the first lumen of said tube and inserting a first electrode into the first lumen of said tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method for producing an ion-sensing electrode as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tube has a second lumen separated from said first lumen by an inner wall, wherein said filling step includes filling the second lumen of said tube with electrolyte, and further comprising the following step: after said drying step, inserting a second electrode into the second lumen of said tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
A method for producing an ion-sensing electrode as set forth in claim 2, wherein said soaking step consists of soaking only a portion of said tube distal to a first point in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved, and further comprising the following setps: providing an aperture in the wall of said tube at a second point proximal to said first point, opening the second lumen of said tube to the exterior of said tube; and after said drying step, sealing the second lumen of said tube intermediate said first and second points.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of a desired solid swellable plastic, having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of: dissolving an ion-selective material in a solvent which is also a swelling agent for said desired solid swellable plastic; subsequently soaking a member fabricated of said desired solid swellable plastic and having said desired shape, in said solvent in which said ion selective material has been dissolved; and subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of a desired solid swellable plastic, having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of: dissolving an ion-selective material in a solvent which is also a swelling agent for said desired solid swellable plastic; subsequently soaking a member fabricated of said desired solid swellable plastic and having said desired shape, in said solvent in which said ion selective material has been dissolved; and subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said desired plastic is silicone rubber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said desired plastic is polyurethane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said desired plastic is polyvinylchloride.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of silicone rubber, having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of: dissolving an ion selective material comprising nonactin in a solvent comprising methylene chloride which is also a swelling agent for silicone rubber; subsequently soaking a member fabricated of silicone rubber, having said desired shape, in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved; and subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of silicone rubber, having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of: dissolving an ion selective material comprising nonactin in a solvent comprising methylene chloride which is also a swelling agent for silicone rubber; subsequently soaking a member fabricated of silicone rubber, having said desired shape, in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved; and subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of polyurethane, having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of: dissolving an ion-selective material comprising valinomycin in a solvent comprising acetone which is also a swelling agent for polyurethane; subsequently soaking a member fabricated of polyurethane having said desired shape in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved; and subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of polyurethane, having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of: dissolving an ion-selective material comprising valinomycin in a solvent comprising acetone which is also a swelling agent for polyurethane; subsequently soaking a member fabricated of polyurethane having said desired shape in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved; and subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of polyvinylchloride, having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of: dissolving an ion-selective material comprising valinomycin in a solvent comprising dipentyl pthalate which is also a swelling agent for polyvinylchloride; subsequently soaking member fabricated of polyvinylchloride having said desired shape, in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved; and subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of polyvinylchloride, having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of: dissolving an ion-selective material comprising valinomycin in a solvent comprising dipentyl pthalate which is also a swelling agent for polyvinylchloride; subsequently soaking member fabricated of polyvinylchloride having said desired shape, in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved; and subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said ion-selective material further comprises potassium tetraphenylborate.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of silicone rubber having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of: dissolving an ion-selective material comprising methyltricapryl ammonium chloride in a solvent comprising xylene which is also a swelling agent for silicone rubber; subsequently soaking a member fabricated of silicone rubber having said desired shape, in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved; and subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of silicone rubber having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of: dissolving an ion-selective material comprising methyltricapryl ammonium chloride in a solvent comprising xylene which is also a swelling agent for silicone rubber; subsequently soaking a member fabricated of silicone rubber having said desired shape, in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved; and subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 4 above wherein said desired shape comprises a tube.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said soaking step comprises soaking said member in said solvent until said member swells.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said solvent is volatile and wherein said removing step comprises drying said member, to cause said solvent to evaporate.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of silicone rubber, having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of: dissolving an ion-selective material comprising tridodecylamine in a solvent comprising dichlorodifluoromethane which is also a swelling agent for silicone rubber; subsequently soaking a member fabricated of silicone rubber, having said desired shape in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved; and subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for producing an ion-selective membrane of silicone rubber, having a desired shape, comprising the ordered steps of: dissolving an ion-selective material comprising tridodecylamine in a solvent comprising dichlorodifluoromethane which is also a swelling agent for silicone rubber; subsequently soaking a member fabricated of silicone rubber, having said desired shape in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved; and subsequently removing said solvent from said member.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of fabricating a membrane of a desired solid swellable plastic, selected for desired ion and having a desired shape, comprising the steps of: selecting a member of said solid, swellable plastic, having said desired shape; dissolving an ion-selective material selective for said desired ion in a solvent which is a swelling agent for said solid swellable plastic; soaking said member in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved until said member has swelled; and drying said swelled member until said solvent has evaporated and said member has returned to said desired shape.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of fabricating a membrane of a desired solid swellable plastic, selected for desired ion and having a desired shape, comprising the steps of: selecting a member of said solid, swellable plastic, having said desired shape; dissolving an ion-selective material selective for said desired ion in a solvent which is a swelling agent for said solid swellable plastic; soaking said member in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved until said member has swelled; and drying said swelled member until said solvent has evaporated and said member has returned to said desired shape.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein said solvent is a volatile solvent.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of fabricating an ion sensing electrode from a tube of solid, swellable plastic having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer wall and a first lumen open to said proximal end, comprising the following steps: dissolving a material selective for said desired ion in a solvent which is a swelling agent for said solid swellable plastic; soaking at least a portion of said tube in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved, until said tube swells; drying said swelled tube until said solvent evaporates and said swelled tube returns to its original dimensions; and after said drying step, filling the first lumen of said tube with an electrolyte gel and inserting a first electrode into the first lumen of said tube.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of fabricating an ion sensing electrode from a tube of solid, swellable plastic having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer wall and a first lumen open to said proximal end, comprising the following steps: dissolving a material selective for said desired ion in a solvent which is a swelling agent for said solid swellable plastic; soaking at least a portion of said tube in said solvent in which said ion-selective material has been dissolved, until said tube swells; drying said swelled tube until said solvent evaporates and said swelled tube returns to its original dimensions; and after said drying step, filling the first lumen of said tube with an electrolyte gel and inserting a first electrode into the first lumen of said tube.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method for producing an ion-sensing electrode as set forth in claim 19 wherein said tube is also provided with a second lumen and with an inner wall, separating said first lumen from said second lumen of said tube, wherein said filling and inserting step comprises filling said second lumen of said tube with an electrolyte gel and inserting a second electrode into the second lumen of said tube.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
93 words
A method for producing an ion-sensing electrode as set forth in claim 20 wherein said soaking step consists of soaking only a portion of said tube distal to a first point in said solvent, and further comprising the following steps: after said selecting step, providing an aperture in the wall of said tube at a second point proximal to said first point, opening the second lumen of said tube to the exterior of said tube; and after said drying step, sealing the second lumen of said tube intermediate said first and second points.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-05-27 | 1988-11-26 | 1989-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-27 | 1992-11-26 | 1993-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-27 | 1996-11-26 | 1997-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |