Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
An enzyme electrode apparatus for electrochemically analyzing a substance in a sample solution, which comprises a vessel for encasing an electrolyte solution therein; an anode; a cathode; an immobilized enzyme membrane containing a skin layer that functions as a barrier provided at a working face of the anode and/or cathode; and an electrolyte solution in the vessel; the immobilized enzyme membrane being provided by an asymmetrical membrane having a thickness of 30-300 μm integrally formed from a skin layer substantially incapable of permeating an enzyme therethrough, but capable of permeating a gas and a liquid therethrough, and a sponge layer having sufficient porosity for retaining a necessary amount of the enzyme and pores intercommunicated with one another throughout the sponge layer, the enzyme being immobilized in the pores of the sponge layer by cross-linking, the skin layer having a thickness of 0.1-3 m m and the sponge layer having a porosity of 50-90%; the skin layer and the sponge layer being formed from the same material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
An enzyme electrode apparatus for electrochemically analyzing a substance in a sample solution, which comprises a vessel for encasing an electrolyte solution therein; an anode; a cathode; an immobilized enzyme membrane containing a skin layer that functions as a barrier provided at a working face of the anode and/or cathode; and an electrolyte solution in the vessel; the immobilized enzyme membrane being provided by an asymmetrical membrane having a thickness of 30-300 μm integrally formed from a skin layer substantially incapable of permeating an enzyme therethrough, but capable of permeating a gas and a liquid therethrough, and a sponge layer having sufficient porosity for retaining a necessary amount of the enzyme and pores intercommunicated with one another throughout the sponge layer, the enzyme being immobilized in the pores of the sponge layer by cross-linking, the skin layer having a thickness of 0.1-3 m m and the sponge layer having a porosity of 50-90%; the skin layer and the sponge layer being formed from the same material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An enzyme electrode apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the asymmetrical membrane is made from a material selected from the group consisting of cellulose derivatives, polyamide and polyamino acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An enzyme electrode apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the immobilized enzyme membrane is provided at a working face of the anode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An enzyme electrode apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the immobilized enzyme membrane is provided at a working face of the anode and a working face of the cathode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An enzyme electrode apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the immobilized enzyme membrane is provided at a working face of the cathode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An enzyme electrode apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sponge layer has pores at the surface of the sponge layer with pore sizes of about 100 to about 500 nm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
An enzyme electrode apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the enzyme immobilized within said pores of the sponge layer by cross-linking is selected from the group consisting of glucose oxidase, amino acid oxidase, cholesterol oxidase, uricase, urease, creatininase, glutaminase, penicillinase, catalase, peroxidase, invertase, mutanotase, amylase, protease, and glucose isomerase.