Integrated Ionics, Inc.

University Patents, Inc.

Imants R Lauks

Jan Van Der Spiegel

Samuel L Yankell

Henry J Wieck

A method and apparatus for automatically testing chemical and ionic sensing electronic circuits is provided. A fluid used in testing is placed in a hollow pipette with at least one open end. The open end of the pipette is applied directly against a sensing layer on the sensing electronic circuit forming a leakproof seal. Alternatively, a flow-through type fluid container is used and is advantageously applied with gas measurements. Test electronics are provided to compile and analyze the performance of various sensing layers. Aligning means automatically select a sensing electronic circuit and position the circuit such that the holding device can be urged against the sensing layer automatically.

Method and apparatus for testing chemical and ionic sensors

An ambient sensing device is described especially suited to the sensing of a variety of ambient parameters. Photolithographic techniques are used to pattern a multiplicity of sensitive layers on a single monolithic substrate taking into account the wide range of plastic, gelatinous and ceramic materials to be patterned and the problems of their cross-contamination when in contact.

Integrated ambient sensing devices and methods of manufacture

A device is disclosed for intraoral ambient sensing. In this embodiment, the device comprises a removable oral (Hawley) appliance containing a number of chemically sensitive electrodes and a common reference electrode at the chemical sensing sites and a telemetry unit plus power pack for signal transmission. This device may also be used to monitor non-chemical parameters, notably pressure, temperature, and flow. In this embodiment, the removable oral (Hawley) appliance contains a number of sensors to monitor the parameter of interest. For example, a pressure sensor configured as an artificial uvula and mounted to the oral (Hawley) appliance emulates actual uvula pressure events. To monitor chewing events, a pressure sensor is mounted to the oral (Hawley) appliance in such a manner that it is optimally located at an open bite location of the mouth. In either embodiment, a telemetry unit mounted to the oral (Hawley) appliance transmits the intraoral ambient information as radio frequency signal bursts. A remotely located receiver circuit receives the radio signals which are broadcast and recovers the information encoded in them.

Intraoral ambient sensing device

A device for the measurement of ionic and gas species at high temperatures. Platinum metal oxides are used for the electrical signal paths between electrical elements on the device to make the device particularly adaptable to high temperature measurement applications. Chemically sensitive composite structures may be hardened for high temperature applications by mixing polyimide with the materials normally used in the outer layer of such structure.

Ambient sensing devices

A conductive metal oxide electrode can be calibrated by immersing the electrode and a reference electrode in a solution of known pH and applying to them a setting potential which is approximately equal to the steady state potential that would be observed for that electrode with respect to the reference electrode in a solution of that value of pH.

Method of calibrating conductive metal oxide electrodes

Amorphous chalcogenide films substantially free from particulate and microstructure are formed on a substrate from solution. The solution contains a glass-forming chalcogenide compound dissolved in a non-aqueous vaporizable solvent, such as a low molecular weight amine, and is substantially free from particulate or crystallizable material. Film formation is effected by coating the solution onto the substrate in a non-vacuumized environment, and thereafter evaporating the solvent from the coating. The procedure is particularly useful in forming amorphous chalcogenide resists for photolithographic applications.

Growing community of inventors

Sewell, NJ, United States of America

Imants R Lauks