Central Research Laboratories Limited

Astrazeneca Ab

Invensys Controls UK Limited

Sophion Bioscience A/s

John Robert Dodgson

Malcolm Trayton Austen

Anthony Robert Corless

John Edward Andrew Shaw

Monica Backes

Jonatan Kutchinsky

Morten Bech

Rafael Taboryski

Ian Robins

Bent E Nielsen

Lars Thomsen

Andrew J Garman

Richard Iain Simpson

Christopher M Turner

Chris Turner

John Shaw

David J Scanlon

John Ea Shaw

David Brennan

Mark Seymour

Richard Lynn Hedgeley

Jørgen Due

David Wenn

The present invention relates to an electrochemical gas sensor that includes a first planar substrate having at least one planar electrode formed thereon, thereby forming a first electrode assembly, and a housing defining a reservoir which, in use, contains liquid electrolyte for contacting the electrode(s). The housing has a first sealing face to which the first electrode assembly is sealed, the sealing face having conducting portions electrically isolated one from another. A portion of at least one electrode is in contact with a respective conducting portion so as to provide a means of external electrical connection to the electrode(s). The conductive portions and non-conductive portions of the housing are co-moulded. This sensor has a relatively small number of component parts and is relatively cheap and easy to manufacture. It also provides a cheap and reliable way of forming external electrical connections to the electrodes.

Electrochemical gas sensor

The invention relates to a gas sensor and its method of manufacture. Electrochemical gas sensors usually comprise an external housing, which acts as a reservoir for electrolyte; a wick to keep electrodes wetted with the electrolyte and external electrical terminals, for making electrical contact with the electrodes. Typically a gas permeable/microporous membrane has been used to seal a gas sensor in order to prevent leakage of electrolyte. A problem with existing sensors has been that there was a risk of electrolyte leaking through the membrane around the region where electrical connectors passed therethrough. The present invention overcomes this by providing a method of urging conductive polymer through the membrane under controlled conditions of heat and pressure, thereby ensuring the integrity of the membrane remains in tact while defining an electrically/conductive pathway therethrough.

Gas sensor and its method of manufacture

The present invention relates to a high through-put system for determining and/or monitoring electrophysiological properties of ion channels of ion channel-containing membranes, typically lipid membrane-containing structures such as cells. In particular, the invention provides a substrate which provides means for automatically positioning cells at measuring sites using electroosmotic flow in canals formed on or in the substrate. The electroosmotic flow is generated and controlled by electroosmotic flow pumps integrated on the substrate or positioned in relation thereto. Thereby, cells can be positioned in favorable measurement configuration at a plurality of sites for performing testing and measurements. Also, the invention relates to a main electric circuit for performing testing and measurements on a plurality of cells in parallel.

System for electrophysiological measurements

The microfabricated cell injector having an injection wall and a cell injection needle projecting from the wall for piercing cells suspended in a fluid. The needle is held within a housing defined by the internal surfaces of the microfabricated cell injector. The housing has an inlet for suspended cells to enter and an outlet for cells to exit via the cell injection needle. A cell propulsion device is provided for impelling cells towards the needle such that, in use, cells suspended in the fluid are impelled towards the injection wall by the injection needle.

Microfabricated cell injector

The invention relates to an apparatus for and method of introducing a substance into an object, particularly into a cell or cellular material. In a preferred arrangement apparatus receives the cell and preferably locates it between first and second electrodes and applies a voltage pulse to cause a disruption in the cell wall. This causes the cell to become permeable. The substance may then be introduced, for example under a fluid pressure. Cells may then be inspected and sorted into transfected and non-transfected types. This may be achieved automatically, for example by using electrophoresis.

Apparatus for, and method of, introducing a substance into an object

The invention relates to gas sensors, particularly electrochemical gas sensors. The reliability of such gas sensors has been ascertained by regular tests, which involve exposing a sensor to a gas for test or calibration purposes. However, it has been difficult to provide a known quantity or concentration of gas. Another problem has been that blockage of a gas inlet has rendered the gas sensor unreliable. The invention provides a gas sensor having a self test capability and first and second electrodes, arranged so that test gas arrives at a separate instant at each electrode so as to generate two electric currents, the ratio of which currents provides an indication of the status of at least one electrode.

Gas sensor

Analytical sampling device

A gas sensor including a housing containing at least a sensing electrode, a counter electrode, a test electrode, and electrolyte means in contact with such electrodes. The housing permits gas from the environment to flow to the sensing electrode. The gas sensor is operable either in a normal mode of operation in which potentials are applied to the electrodes for detecting when a gas to be sensed is present at the sensing electrode, or in a test mode of operation in which potentials are applied to the electrodes so that the test electrode generates a gas which flows to the sensing electrode to enable an indication whether the sensor is operating correctly.

Gas sensors

A gas sensor is described which is particularly well suited as a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor in a self test gas sensor. The sensor includes a number of aspects which may or may not be used in conjunction with one another. A first aspect is an embodiment which reduces electrical interference (or cross-talk) between a test or gas generating cell and a sensing cell. In one embodiment, baffles are provided to prevent cross-talk. In another embodiment a switching circuit ensures that a test gas generator is operational only when the gas sensor is disconnected from a current source. A second aspect is an embodiment which includes an improved wick which is in close proximity with an electrode and ensures electrolyte is always in contact with the electrode. In an alternate embodiment a solid polymer electrolyte is used between the electrodes. A third aspect is an improved catalyst which reduces the reaction energy and thereby renders the sensor more sensitive. The catalyst is also cheaper than platinum. Overall the gas sensor uses less components than existing gas sensors and is therefore cheaper and easier to assemble and more reliable.

An electrochemical cell in the form of first and second sheet members ( ) at least one of which is gas permeable on which is disposed one or more planar electrodes ( ). Peripheral regions of the first and second sheet members ( ) are sealed together to form a sealed envelope or reservoir containing electrolyte. Electrical connection means ( ) extend from each of the electrodes ( ) across the sealing of the sheet members ( ) to provide external electrical connection.

Electrochemical cell

Apparatus comprising a micro engineered structure and a capillary or other tube and a method for connecting the tube to the structure. The micro engineered structure is composed of at least one substrate,in which fluid flow channels,are formed, connecting to an aperture,into which the tube,is inserted. A sealant material is flowed into the aperture around the tube and then hardened in order to seal the tube within the aperture.

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Surrey, United Kingdom

John Robert Dodgson