A DIALYSIS ELECTRODE DEVICE

摘要

A dialysis electrode device comprises a shank (1) of needle-like configuration and formed from a hollow dialysis fibre membrane. The shank is closed at its distal end by a sealing plug (3) and, at its proximal end, it is sealed to and in communication with a chamber (6) of a tubular body part (5, 20). Electrolyte is supplied to the chamber (4) within the shank (1) through an inlet conduit (10) and is removed via an outlet conduit (18) connected to the upper end of the chamber (6). The device includes a dialysis or first working electrode (12), which is insulated save for a length thereof disposed within the hollow shank (1), a counter electrode (16) and a reference electrode (17) mounted within the chamber (6). It may be used in clinical medicine and the food, pharmaceutical and other industries where it is desirable to analyse or monitor the presence of chemical substances. In carrying out a microdialysis procedure in human tissue, for example, the device is primed with an enzyme electrolyte solution and electrical measurements are taken in situ of the concentration of a chemical substance diffusing into the shank chamber (4) through the dialysis fibre shank (1).