Potentiometric ion-selective silicon sensors for the on-line monitoring ofblood electrolytes

A non-invasive on-line monitoring system for blood electrolytes has been de veloped on the basis of potentiometric ion-selective silicon sensors. The m icrosensors were fabricated in the patented containment technology owned by ICE. Additionally, multianalyte sensors with two and three containment sen sor elements integrated on chip were realized. The new polysiloxane membran e functionalized with trifluoropropyl groups with improved adhesion on the silicon oxide surface were used as matrix membrane for all prepared solid s tate microsensors. The following containment sensors have been developed: p otassium, calcium, sodium, and pH. They were characterized in physiological test solutions. The excellent reliability of the potassium sensors has bee n demonstrated successfully in clinical trials with real circulating whole blood samples and on extracorporal animal blood circulation. First simultan eous measurements of potassium, sodium and pH have also been performed in v itro using human blood samples. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.