摘要 |
<p>Sensor devices for analysing fluid samples, using a detector separated from samples by a permeable membrane made by blending an impermeable polymer (especially a polyvinylchloride - 'PVC') with a poly-vinylpyridine ('PVP'). Usually, the proportion of PVP is substantial - 20-80 % of the combined polymers by weight - and the membrane less that 50 νm thick. This mixed membrane may be 10 part of a multi-layer membrane, and can employ an enzyme to convert one analyte into another. Methods for their use are principally electrochemical, making measurements amperometrically with a metal electrode (especially platinum) and the membrane's permeability to analytes such as glucose is valuable for assessing biological media, e.g. blood. The polymer mixture has unusual resistance to permanent fouling by high molecular weight materials, so allowing these to be washed off when necessary and the membrane used repeatedly; this property can be given to other surfaces by coating with the polymer mixture.</p> |