Dehydration sensors having polymeric base-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. The ink composition includes a weak polymeric base as its primary buffering agent.

主权项

1. A dehydration sensor that consists essentially of:
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 a single active polymer in an amount of about 0.5 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of a weak polymeric base, and a viscosity modifier that can produce a viscosity; a pH-sensitive dye; and a polymeric stabilizer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene oxide; wherein the buffered ink system prevents the dye from leaching from the porous substrate during an assay process.