Ion sensors: current limits and new trends

The current status of ion sensors in their main application, clinical chemi stry, is highlighted. The reasons for the practical success of sensors in t his particular area are discussed together with the expected influence of n ovel technical possibilities for the next generation of clinical ion analyz ers. A series of recent research results, including the improvement of lowe r detection limits, the establishment of selectivities that are much better than reported so far, and new types of reference electrodes will very like ly open up numerous new fields of applications of these sensors. (C) 1999 E lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.