Nitric Oxide Sensor

Short Description

Novel electrode capable of detecting low levels of nitric oxide.

Abstract

The concentration of nitric oxide can be obtained through electrochemistry. Nitric oxide is oxidized by an electrode to induce a current change, which is proportional to concentration. However, there are some difficulties with this method. For example, a bare electrode is not selective and indiscriminately oxidizes multiple compounds. This results in interference and a poor NO signal, particularly in complex matrices, such as biological media. Some methods are known to increase the selectivity of an electrode. For example, selective membranes can be used with electrodes which exclude certain compounds from contact with the electrode. However, improvements are desirable. The present invention encompasses an electrochemical method of measuring nitric oxide at picomolar levels. The method uses the catalytic oxidation of dissolved nitric oxide gas on ruthenium oxide nanoparticles within the electrodes.

Inventor(s)

Dr. Mekki Bayachou, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Chemistry.

Commercial Applications

• This electroanalytical method will allow for accurate monitoring of nitric oxide for both in vivo and in vitro commercial biosensing applications. Monitoring nitric oxide levels is critical to a number of biomedical and environmental applications.

Advantages

• The electroanalytical method is more sensitive and reliable than existing applications using plain carbon or other pure metals.

• The method allows for high picomolar level detection prior to any optimization using discriminatory membranes. This speaks to the methods pronounced specificity.

IP Information

7,914,664

Related IP

Status

Available