Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for measuring the activity of ions in a liquid of interest by the use of a gate-insulated field-effect transistor having a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain ion sensitive layer with a channel defined between the source and drain, and a reference electrode, which comprises immersing the field-effect transistor and the reference electrode, supplying an electric power to both the field-effect transistor and the reference electrode, and adjusting the drain current flowing through the field-effect transistor to a predetermined value such that the temperature dependency of the electroconductivity of the channel of the field-effect transistor becomes equal to the sum of the temperature dependency of the potential at an interface between the reference electrode and the liquid of interest and the temperature dependency of the potential at an interface between the ion-sensitive layer and the liquid of interest.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for measuring the activity of ions in a liquid of interest by the use of a gate-insulated field-effect transistor having a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain ion sensitive layer with a channel defined between the source and drain, and a reference electrode, which comprises immersing the field-effect transistor and the reference electrode, supplying an electric power to both the field-effect transistor and the reference electrode, and adjusting the drain current flowing through the field-effect transistor to a predetermined value such that the temperature dependency of the electroconductivity of the channel of the field-effect transistor becomes equal to the sum of the temperature dependency of the potential at an interface between the reference electrode and the liquid of interest and the temperature dependency of the potential at an interface between the ion-sensitive layer and the liquid of interest.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjusting step is carried out by manipulating an current controller for controlling the electric current flowing through the source-and-drain path of the field-effect transistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
146 words
An electric circuitry for use in the measurement of the activity of ions in a liquid of interest, which comprises, in combination: an ion sensor constituted by a gate-insulated field-effect transistor and having a sensor gate, a reference electrode gate and a reference electrode; a substractor circuit for determining a difference in potential between the potential at an interface between the reference electrode and the liquid of interest and the potential at an interface between the sensor gate and the liquid of interest; and a current controller for controlling an electric current flowing through the source-to-drain path of the ion sensor, whereby said current controller may be manipulated to adjust the electric current to a value such that the temperature dependency of the ion sensor relative to the reference electrode becomes equal to the temperature dependency of the reference electrode relative to the reference electrode gate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
146 words
An electric circuitry for use in the measurement of the activity of ions in a liquid of interest, which comprises, in combination: an ion sensor constituted by a gate-insulated field-effect transistor and having a sensor gate, a reference electrode gate and a reference electrode; a substractor circuit for determining a difference in potential between the potential at an interface between the reference electrode and the liquid of interest and the potential at an interface between the sensor gate and the liquid of interest; and a current controller for controlling an electric current flowing through the source-to-drain path of the ion sensor, whereby said current controller may be manipulated to adjust the electric current to a value such that the temperature dependency of the ion sensor relative to the reference electrode becomes equal to the temperature dependency of the reference electrode relative to the reference electrode gate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A circuitry as claimed in claim 3, wherein said current controller comprises a series-connected circuit of variable resistor and fixed resistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A circuitry as claimed in claim 3, wherein said ion sensor also has a control electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A circuitry as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein said current controller comprises a series-connected circuit of variable and fixed resistors.