Patent ID: 11879811
Assignee: VALBATECH INC.
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 3:
4. An elongated sensor having a proximal end and a distal end, and an inner portion therebetween, for detecting the presence of a target fluid, the sensor comprising:
a first conductor extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the sensor; and,
a second conductor extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the sensor, isolated from the first conductor in the inner portion of the sensor, comprising:
a swellable conductor, wherein at least a portion of the swellable conductor is swollen due to absorption of the target fluid when the portion of the swellable conductor is in contact with the target fluid, and wherein a conductance of the portion of the swellable conductor is at least 10 times less when the portion of the swellable conductor is in contact with the target fluid than when absent contact with the target fluid, and

a subsidiary conductor in direct contact with the swellable conductor in the inner portion of the sensor and in electrical contact with the first conductor at the distal end of the sensor.