Appeal No. 2001-0246
Application No. 08/921,103
BACKGROUND
Appellants’ invention relates generally to a reference
electrode device for use in an electrochemical analyzer, and
more specifically, to a device of the constrained-diffusion
liquid junction type. In a reference electrode of the open
junction type, the liquid junction operates by free diffusion,
whereas in a constrained-diffusion junction, a barrier membrane
or porous material is placed at the site of the liquid junction
(specification, page 1). The interfacial potential across the
liquid junction between the liquid junction solution or the
system calibrator and a sample solution determines the
characteristics of the sample solution. According to
Appellants, in an open junction, the liquid junction solution
must be usually discarded after each reading due to
contamination by the sample solution whereas in a constrained-
diffusion junction, the liquid junction solution is not
contaminated but the barrier membrane is required to be soaked
prior to the first use (specification, page 3). Appellants’
invention provides for a reservoir for holding and recirculating
the liquid junction solution in a constrained-diffusion liquid
junction.
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