Method for making a cell for electrochemical analysis

Abstract

According to an aspect of the invention, a cell for electrochemical analysis is provided, comprising a body having a chamber, and a pair of electrodes opposing each other within the camber comprising a electrically conductive rod extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal direction and removed within the capillary channel. According to a preferred embodiment, at least one reagent is provided within the capillary channel. The cell may be part of a plurality of such cells connected in seriatim.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of making a cell for electrochemical analysis of a liquid sample comprising: 
 forming a body of dielectric material withea rod of electrically conductive material embedded therein;    removing dielectric material and electrically conductive material to form a chamber within the body;    wherein the size and location of the chamber are such that the rod of electrically conductive material is divided by a gap.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein multiple chambers are formed in the body, each chamber dividing the rod of electrically conductive material.  
     
     
         3 . A method of making a cell for electrochemical analysis of a liquid sample comprising: 
 forming a cylinder of a dielectric material with a rod of electrically conductive material passing through the cylinder in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder;    removing dielectric material and electrically conductive material to form a cylindrical chamber concentric with the longitudinal axis;    wherein the size and location of the chamber are such that the rod of electrically conductive material is divided with a gap between a first portion that terminates at the inner wall of the chamber on one side of the chamber and a second portion that terminates at the inner wall of the chamber on an opposite side of the chamber.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the electrically conductive rod passes from one side to the other.  
     
     
         5 . A cell for electrochemical analysis comprising: 
 a body of a dielectric material with a rod of electrically conductive material passing through the body and having a channel perpendicular to the rod and passing through the rod and dividing it into two opposing electrodes.    
     
     
         6 . The cell of  claim 5  further comprising at least one reagent within the chamber.  
     
     
         7 . The cell of  claim 5  that is part of a plurality of the cells connected in seriatim.  
     
     
         8 . A cell for electrochemical analysis, comprising: 
 an annular wall that defines a capillary channel;    a pair of opposing electrically conductive electrodes within the capillary channel that penetrate the annular wall.    
     
     
         9 . The cell of  claim 8  further comprising at least one reagent within the capillary channel.  
     
     
         10 . The cell of  claim 8  further comprising at least one reagent deposited on the body within the capillary channel and overlying the electrodes.  
     
     
         11 . The cell of  claim 8  that is part of a plurality of the cells connected in seriatim.  
     
     
         12 . A method of making a cell for electrochemical analysis, comprising: 
 molding a body with an electrically conductive rod;    forming a capillary channel in the body transverse to the electrically conductive rod; and,    removing the electrically conductive rod from within the capillary channel thereby forming a pair of opposing electrodes.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising depositing at least one reagent within the capillary channel.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising depositing at least one reagent within the capillary channel in liquid form through capillary action.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising forming a plurality of parallel capillary channels in the body and removing the electrically conductive rod from within each capillary channel.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  comprising partially forming the capillary channel while molding the body.  
     
     
         17 . A cell made by the method of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         18 . A method of making a cell for electrochemical analysis, comprising: 
 molding a body as a parallel row of cell bodies with an electrically conductive rod transverse to the row of cell bodies;    forming a plurality of parallel capillary channels in the body transverse to the electrically conductive rod, one capillary channel for each cell body; and,    removing the electrically conductive rod from within each capillary channel.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising separating the cell bodies.  
     
     
         20 . A cell made by the method of  claim 18.