Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of detecting the presence in a body of a non-gaseous substrate which is volatilizable through the skin, characterised in that the method comprises introducing at the surface of the skin an enzyme selected for the substrate to be detected for a sufficient time for any of said substrate present to react with said enzyme and detecting a condition of the skin as an indication of the presence of said substrate in the body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of detecting the presence in a body of a non-gaseous substrate which is volatilizable through the skin, characterised in that the method comprises introducing at the surface of the skin an enzyme selected for the substrate to be detected for a sufficient time for any of said substrate present to react with said enzyme and detecting a condition of the skin as an indication of the presence of said substrate in the body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that said enzyme is reactable with the substrate to produce a decrease in oxygen at the skin and detecting means comprising an oxygen sensitive electrode adapted for contact with the skin is used to detect said oxygen decrease at the skin as a measure of the amount of substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the enzyme is reactable with the substrate to produce by-product hydrogen peroxide and the detecting means comprising a polarographic anode adapted to contact the skin to detect the hydrogen peroxide at the skin as a measure of the amount of substrate or a colorimeter to detect the colour change of the skin as a measure of the amount of substrate is used to detect the condition of the skin.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the substrate is an alcohol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in Claim 4, characterised in that the substrate is ethanol.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
12 words
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising arterializing the skin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in Claim 6, characterised in that the skin is arterialized by chemical treatment or by heating to a temperature of 38 to 44 o C.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
53 words
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the detection of the condition of the skin is by means of an electrode and the enzyme is included in the electrolyte of the electrode, or the electrode has a membrane associated with it and the enzyme is immobilized on the membrane.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the enzyme is selected from alcohol oxidase and alcohol dehydrogenase.