Dehydration sensors having buffered inks

摘要

A dehydration sensor having a stable, printable, buffered-ink composition that enables one to miniaturize the detection zone and permits both buffer and indicator dye to be applied in the same area of a detection zone, without need for a conventional, large buffer pad region.

主权项

1. A dehydration sensor that comprises:
a porous substrate, with a buffered ink system that is directly deposited on a portion of said substrate; the buffered ink system is composed of 0.5-30 wt. % of a weak polymeric acid, 0.5 -3 wt. % of a polymeric stabilizer which functions as a proton-exchange hydrogen-bonding neutral buffer bridge, and a cationic surfactant; and a pH-sensitive dye; wherein said surfactant serves as an immobilization agent of the pH-sensitive dye and buffered ink system.