Whole blood hemolysis sensor

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a hemolysis sensor, a hemolysis sensor system and methods of utilizing the hemolysis sensor or hemolysis sensor system to monitor or detect hemolysis in a sample, such as a whole blood sample, a plasma sample, a serum sample or hemolyzed blood. The hemolysis sensor responds to extracellular hemoglobin levels, for example, extracellular hemoglobin in a whole blood sample as a method for detecting hemolysis in whole blood.

1 - 18  (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An electrochemical sensor system for detecting hemolysis in a whole blood sample, comprising:
 electrochemical sensor comprising a hydrophilic outer membrane comprising a thickness in a range of 0.1 μm to about 50 μm, membrane thickness adapted to enhance efflux of hydrogen peroxide, another membrane comprising an oxidoreductase enzyme, said oxidoreductase enzyme capable of generating said hydrogen peroxide, and,   a reagentless flow chamber positioned adjacent said outer membrane for contacting said whole blood sample with said outer membrane.   
     
     
         20 . The electrochemical sensor system of  claim 19  wherein the oxidoreductase enzyme comprises a glucose oxidase. 
     
     
         21 . The electrochemical sensor system of  claim 19  wherein the oxidoreductase enzyme comprises a lactate oxidase. 
     
     
         22 . The electrochemical sensor system of  claim 19  wherein the oxidoreductase enzyme is selected from the group consisting of a creatininase, a creatinase and a sarcosine oxidase. 
     
     
         23 . The electrochemical sensor system of  claim 19  wherein said enzymes comprise said creatininase and said sarcosine oxidase. 
     
     
         24 . The electrochemical sensor system of  claim 19  wherein said enzymes comprise said creatinase and said sarcosine oxidase. 
     
     
         25 . The electrochemical sensor system of  claim 19  further comprising an inner membrane comprising electropolymerizable monomers selected from the group consisting of benzothiophene and phenylenediamines. 
     
     
         26 . The electrochemical sensor system of  claim 19  wherein said outer hydrophilic membrane comprises a hydrogel. 
     
     
         27 . The electrochemical sensor system of  claim 26  wherein said hydrogel comprises a water content ranging from about 0.1% to about 100%. 
     
     
         28 . The electrochemical sensor system at  claim 26  wherein said hydrogel comprises a water content selected from the group consisting of about 70-80%, about 80-90%, and about 90-100%.