Electrochemical sensor

Abstract

A sensor ( 10,110 ) is provided for determination of various concentrations of one or more components within a fluid sample. The sensor ( 10,110 ) includes an injection molded body ( 12,112 ), at least two electrodes ( 30,31,32,130,131,132 ), an enzyme ( 57,157 ), and, if desired, an electron transfer mediator. The body includes a reaction zone ( 24,124 ) for receiving a fluid sample. The electrodes ( 30,31,32,130,131,132 ) are at least partially embedded within the plastic body ( 12,112 ) and extend into the reaction zone ( 24,124 ). Also contained within the reaction zone is an enzyme ( 57,157 ) capable of catalyzing a reaction involving a compound within the fluid sample.

1 . An electrochemical device for cooperating with an electronic meter capable of measuring electrical properties between at least two electrically conductive electrodes, comprising: 
 at least two spaced apart electrically conductive electrodes;    a body of molded insulative material housing the electrodes and partially embedding at least a portion of each of the electrodes;    means for connecting the meter to the body;    means for receiving a fluid sample; and,    one or more substances on at least one of the electrodes to change the electrical properties between the electrodes upon reacting with the fluid sample.    
   
   
       2 . The electrochemical device of  claim 1  wherein the electrodes are substantially molded into the insulative material.  
   
   
       3 . The electrochemical device of  claim 1  wherein the means for receiving the fluid sample is a capillary inlet adapted to draw the fluid sample into the body upon contact with the fluid sample.  
   
   
       4 . The electrochemical device of  claim 3  wherein the capillary inlet is molded into an end of the body and is in communication with a reaction zone.  
   
   
       5 . The electrochemical device of  claim 4  wherein the reaction zone is a channel formed in the body and is adapted for permitting the reaction of the fluid drawn into the body by the capillary force.  
   
   
       6 . The electrochemical device of  claim 3  wherein the capillary inlet has a vent in communication therewith for relieving pressure.  
   
   
       7 . The electrochemical device of  claim 3  wherein the capillary inlet is molded into the body and is in communication with a reaction zone, the reaction zone being a chamber formed in the body, adapted for permitting the reaction of the fluid drawn into the body by the capillary force, and in communication with a vent for relieving pressure.  
   
   
       8 . The electrochemical device of  claim 1  wherein the electrodes are one of either conductive wires or formed from a conductive plate.  
   
   
       9 . The electrochemical device of  claim 1  wherein at least one electrode is coated with a conductive material different than the composition of the electrode.  
   
   
       10 . The electrochemical device of  claim 1  wherein an enzyme is on at least one of the electrodes and at least an antibody is on another of the electrodes.  
   
   
       11 . The electrochemical device of  claim 10  wherein an electron mediator is on one or more of the electrodes.  
   
   
       12 . The electrochemical device of  claim 1  wherein a coating is on at least one electrode with a reagent and an enzyme.  
   
   
       13 . The electrochemical device of  claim 1  wherein the means for connecting the meter to the body is a plug formed at one end of the body exposing the electrodes outside the body for connecting the meter to the body.  
   
   
       14 . An electrochemical device for cooperating with an electronic meter capable of measuring electrical properties between at least two electrically conductive electrodes, comprising: 
 at least two spaced apart electrically conductive electrodes;    a body of molded insulative material housing the electrodes, partially embedding at least a portion of each of the electrodes, the body composed of at least two pieces, a body and an end cap, attached to one another;    means for connecting the meter to the body;    means for receiving a fluid sample; and,    one or more substances on at least one of the electrodes to change the electrical properties between the electrodes upon reacting with the fluid sample.    
   
   
       15 . The electrochemical device of  claim 14  wherein the electrodes are substantially molded into the insulative material.  
   
   
       16 . The electrochemical device of  claim 14  wherein the means for receiving the fluid sample is a capillary inlet adapted to draw the fluid sample into the body upon contact with the fluid sample.  
   
   
       17 . The electrochemical device of  claim 16  wherein the capillary inlet is molded into an end of the body and is in communication with a reaction zone.  
   
   
       18 . The electrochemical device of  claim 17  wherein the reaction zone is a channel formed in the body and is adapted for permitting the reaction of the fluid drawn into the body by the capillary force.  
   
   
       19 . The electrochemical device of  claim 16  wherein the capillary inlet has a vent in communication therewith for relieving pressure.  
   
   
       20 . The electrochemical device of  claim 16  wherein the capillary inlet is molded into the body and is in communication with a reaction zone, the reaction zone being a chamber formed in the body, adapted for permitting the reaction of the fluid drawn into the body by the capillary force, and in communication with a vent for relieving pressure.  
   
   
       21 . The electrochemical device of  claim 14  wherein the electrodes are one of either conductive wires or formed from a conductive plate.  
   
   
       22 . The electrochemical device of  claim 14  wherein at least one electrode is coated with a conductive material different than the composition of the electrode.  
   
   
       23 . The electrochemical device of  claim 14  wherein an enzyme is on at least one of the electrodes and at least an antibody is on another of the electrodes.  
   
   
       24 . The electrochemical device of  claim 23  wherein an electron mediator is on one or more of the electrodes.  
   
   
       25 . The electrochemical device of  claim 14  wherein a coating is on at least one electrode with a reagent and an enzyme.  
   
   
       26 . The electrochemical device of  claim 14  wherein the means for connecting the meter to the body is a plug formed at one end of the body exposing the electrodes outside the body for connecting the meter to the body.  
   
   
       27 . An electrochemical device for cooperating with an electronic meter capable of measuring electrical properties between at least two electrically conductive electrodes, comprising: 
 at least two spaced apart electrically conductive electrodes;    a body of molded insulative material housing the electrodes, partially embedding at least a portion of each of the electrodes, the body having a hinge constructed therein for permitting the pivoting and connecting of a portion of the body onto itself;    means for connecting the meter to the body;    means for receiving a fluid sample; and,    one or more substances on at least one of the electrodes to change the electrical properties between the electrodes upon reacting with the fluid sample.    
   
   
       28 . The electrochemical device of  claim 27  wherein the electrodes are substantially molded into the insulative material.  
   
   
       29 . The electrochemical device of  claim 27  wherein the means for receiving the fluid sample is a capillary inlet adapted to draw the fluid sample into the body upon contact with the fluid sample.  
   
   
       30 . The electrochemical device of  claim 29  wherein the capillary inlet is molded into an end of the body and is in communication with a reaction zone.  
   
   
       31 . The electrochemical device of  claim 30  wherein the reaction zone is a channel formed in the body and is adapted for permitting the reaction of the fluid drawn into the body by the capillary force.  
   
   
       32 . The electrochemical device of  claim 29  wherein the capillary inlet has a vent in communication therewith for relieving pressure.  
   
   
       33 . The electrochemical device of  claim 29  wherein the capillary inlet is molded into the body and is in communication with a reaction zone, the reaction zone being a chamber formed in the body, adapted for permitting the reaction of the fluid drawn into the body by the capillary force, and in communication with a vent for relieving pressure.  
   
   
       34 . The electrochemical device of  claim 27  wherein the electrodes are one of either conductive wires or formed from a conductive plate.  
   
   
       35 . The electrochemical device of  claim 27  wherein at least one electrode is coated with a conductive material different than the composition of the electrode.  
   
   
       36 . The electrochemical device of  claim 27  wherein an enzyme is on at least one of the electrodes and at least an antibody is on another of the electrodes.  
   
   
       37 . The electrochemical device of  claim 36  wherein an electron mediator is on one or more of the electrodes.  
   
   
       38 . The electrochemical device of  claim 27  wherein a coating is on at least one electrode with a reagent and an enzyme.  
   
   
       39 . The electrochemical device of  claim 27  wherein the means for connecting the meter to the body is a plug formed at one end of the body exposing the electrodes outside the body for connecting the meter to the body.