Patent Description:
Potassium, together with sodium, is an important electrolyte in the body, and potassium acts in conjunction with sodium to control the body's water and acid and alkaline balance. The balance of potassium and sodium affects maintenance of normal blood pressure, muscle contraction and relaxation, and the like, and such potassium balance is regulated in the kidney.

If the potassium concentration in the body is abnormal, it may adversely affect the body. Therefore, the potassium concentration in the body is measured to determine whether the potassium concentration is abnormal. The potassium concentration in the body is measured in the hospital through a blood test, an electrocardiogram examination, and so on. According to a method of measuring the potassium concentration in the body, first, a potassium-containing solution is filtered through a membrane for filtering ions, and the concentration of potassium ions is measured by measuring potential (V).

The potassium concentration in the body is measured for the purpose of research or treatment. Since a conventional potassium concentration measuring device is large, the conventional potassium concentration measuring device may not be directly used by patients to measure potassium concentration. In addition, the conventional potassium concentration measuring device requires an excess amount of blood or solution, and the accuracy is lowered because, after use, a membrane is washed with water and reused.

In some patients, it is necessary to measure the potassium concentration at all times. However, since the conventional potassium concentration measuring method requires a blood test, an electrocardiogram examination, and so on, it takes a lot of time and money. Also, it is difficult for the patient to constantly measure the potassium concentration due to the non-portable potassium concentration measuring device.

In particular, patients with kidney disease need to constantly measure the potassium concentration in the body because the regulation of potassium concentration in the body is very important. However, it is difficult to measure the potassium concentration in patients with kidney disease at all times by the conventional potassium concentration measuring method, and thus it is difficult to manage potassium concentration in the patients with kidney disease.

In the state of the art can be cited <CIT> which describes an ion analyzer of a multisensor type. <CIT> relates to membrane electrodes for measuring the activity of specific metal ions in solution. <CIT> discloses a microchip-based differential-type potentiometric oxygen gas sensor, which comprises a working electrode and a reference electrode. <CIT> deals with medical type all-solid potassium ion selectivity sensor. Finally, <CIT> relates to multi-ion sensor.

One or more embodiments include a strip structure for potassium ion measurement capable of simply measuring potassium ions in the body in a short time by using a strip including a potassium ion selective membrane and a working electrode.

aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

It is described a strip structure for measuring potassium ions which includes: a strip having an inner space for receiving a solution therein and being formed in a plate shape; an inlet formed in the strip and capable of injecting a solution into the inner space of the strip; a potassium ion selective membrane arranged in the inner space and capable of permeating potassium ions of the solution; and a first working electrode extending in a strip shape, wherein one side of the first working electrode is arranged inside the potassium ion selective membrane and the other side of the first working electrode is on a surface of the strip.

The strip structure further includes:
a measuring device comprising a reference electrode and an inlet into which the strip is inserted, wherein the measuring device may be separated from the strip and measures potassium ions by inserting the strip into the inlet of the measuring device.

The first working electrode may extend upward and obliquely with respect to a direction in which the strip extends in a longitudinal direction.

The strip structure further includes:
a blood filter membrane arranged in the inner space and capable of removing foreign matter of the solution. The strip structure may further include a second working electrode extending in a strip shape, wherein one side of the second working electrode may be arranged inside the potassium ion selective membrane and the other side of the second working electrode is in the surface of the strip, wherein the blood filter membrane may be arranged between the inlet and the potassium ion selective membrane, and one side of the second working electrode may be between the blood filter membrane and the potassium ion selective membrane.

The second working electrode may extend upward and obliquely with respect to a direction in which the strip extends in a longitudinal direction.

The inlet may include a capillary having a diameter less than a diameter of the inner space.

The inlet may include a plurality of capillaries.

The potassium ion selective membrane may include cellulose acetate.

The strip includes an insertion hole arranged in the surface of the strip and communicating with the inner space, and the reference electrode of the measuring device may be inserted into the insertion hole when the strip is inserted into the measuring device.

A gap between the first working electrode and the potassium ion selective membrane may be filled with an electrolytic material.

One or more embodiments relate to a strip structure for potassium ion measurement capable of simply measuring potassium ions in the body in a short time by using a strip including a potassium ion selective membrane and a working electrode.

A solution <NUM> that may be used in the embodiments may be blood or urine. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the solution <NUM> may be a specific solution containing potassium.

<FIG> is a view of a method of measuring the concentration of potassium ions through a reference electrode and a working electrode. Referring to <FIG>, when the solution <NUM> containing potassium ions is sufficiently dropped on a strip <NUM>, the solution <NUM> enters a potassium ion selective permeation membrane <NUM> for a certain period of time, whereby only potassium ions may be selectively filtered.

Here, the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> covers a working electrode <NUM>, and the working electrode <NUM> is brought into contact with the solution <NUM> in which only potassium ions are selectively filtered. A reference electrode <NUM> is located near the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> and is in contact with the solution <NUM> before being filtered through the potassium ion selective permeation membrane <NUM>.

By using the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> as described above, potential (V) varies depending on the concentration of potassium in the reference electrode <NUM> and the working electrode <NUM>, and the concentration of potassium ions of the solution <NUM> may be measured by detecting the potential (V).

<FIG> schematically shows a method of measuring the concentration of potassium ions through the strip <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM> including the working electrode <NUM> and the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>. According to the invention, the reference electrode <NUM> is included in a measuring device <NUM>, which is separated from the strip <NUM>. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a strip structure for measuring potassium ions according to an embodiment may include the strip <NUM>, an inlet <NUM>, the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>, and the first working electrode <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the strip <NUM> has an inner space <NUM> for receiving the solution <NUM> therein, and may be formed in a plate shape. The strip <NUM> may include polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which may be a disposable strip.

The strip <NUM> has the inner space <NUM> for receiving the solution <NUM> therein, and the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> and the first working electrode <NUM> are arranged in the inner space <NUM>. When the solution <NUM> is dropped into the inner space <NUM>, the solution <NUM> may be brought into contact with the first working electrode <NUM> after passing through the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> in the inner space <NUM>.

As will be described later below, the strip <NUM> may be inserted into the measuring device <NUM> and used for disposable use. Since the strip <NUM> is used for disposable use, it is possible to easily measure the concentration of potassium ions in the body and the accuracy may be improved because it is not reused.

The inlet <NUM> is formed in the strip <NUM> and is an entrance through which the solution <NUM> may be injected into the inner space <NUM> of the strip <NUM>. The inlet <NUM> is communicated with the inner space <NUM>, and when the solution <NUM> is injected through the inlet <NUM>, the solution <NUM> may be injected into the inner space <NUM> through the inlet <NUM>.

The inlet <NUM> may be a circular hole in an upper surface of the strip <NUM>, but is not limited thereto. The inlet <NUM> may be arranged at various points as long as the inlet <NUM> can communicate with the inner space <NUM> and inject the solution <NUM> into the inner space <NUM>. As will be described later below, the inlet <NUM> may be arranged on a side surface of the strip <NUM> and the inlet <NUM> may be a thin tube (capillary) having a diameter less than a diameter of the inner space <NUM> to utilize a capillary phenomenon.

The potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> is arranged in the inner space <NUM> and is capable of permeating potassium ions of the solution <NUM>. The potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> is selectively permeable to potassium ions. The solution <NUM> injected through the inlet <NUM> is injected into the inner space <NUM> and passes through the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>.

The potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> may include cellulose acetate and may be made of a natural polymer-derived material. In more detail, cellulose acetate including valinomycin may be used. As described above, the strip <NUM> may be discarded after one use. Therefore, the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> is preferably made of a natural material which is inexpensive and is decomposed quickly when it is discarded.

Referring to <FIG>, the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> may also be a double membrane. In more detail, the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> may include a protective membrane <NUM> and a membrane <NUM>.

The protective membrane <NUM> is formed with pores through a method such as electrospinning and is capable of filtering the solution <NUM> through the pores. The protective membrane <NUM> protects the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> and is an area where the solution <NUM> containing potassium ions may be collected.

The membrane <NUM> includes valinomycin <NUM> as a substance with ion transport ability and may selectively filter only potassium ions in the protective membrane <NUM> through the valinomycin <NUM>. That is, in the solution <NUM> containing potassium in the protective membrane <NUM>, only potassium ions are selectively filtered by the membrane <NUM>, thereby separating potassium ions. The membrane <NUM> may be a PVC membrane or may be a cellulose acetate membrane.

The first working electrode <NUM> extends in a strip shape, wherein one side of the first working electrode <NUM> is arranged inside the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> and the other side of the first working electrode <NUM> is on a surface of the strip <NUM>. The inside of the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> refers to an area where the solution <NUM> is permeated through the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>.

In more detail, referring to <FIG>, the direction toward the inlet <NUM> may be an outer side and the opposite direction may be an inner side with the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> provided in the inner space <NUM> as a center. One side of the first working electrode <NUM> is arranged inside the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>, and is brought into contact with a portion that selectively permeates only potassium ions.

The first working electrode <NUM> may extend in a strip shape and may extend from the inside of the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> to the surface of the strip <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the other side of the first working electrode <NUM> is preferably arranged in the surface of the strip <NUM> so as to be exposed to the outside of the strip <NUM>.

As will be described later below, the strip <NUM> is inserted into the measuring device <NUM> so that the measuring device <NUM> may measure potassium ions using the reference electrode <NUM> included in the measuring device <NUM>. Since the concentration of potassium ions may be measured only when the first working electrode <NUM> is brought into contact with the measuring device <NUM> when the strip <NUM> is inserted into the measuring device <NUM>, the first working electrode <NUM> needs to be exposed to the outside of the strip <NUM>. Therefore, the other side of the first working electrode <NUM> is preferably arranged in the surface of the strip <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a strip structure for measuring potassium ions according to an embodiment may further include the measuring device <NUM> that may include the reference electrode <NUM> and an inlet <NUM> into which the strip <NUM> may be inserted. The measuring device <NUM> is separated from the strip <NUM> and may measure potassium ions by inserting the strip <NUM> into the inlet <NUM> of the measuring device <NUM>.

By separating the strip <NUM> including the first working electrode <NUM> and the measuring device <NUM> including the reference electrode <NUM> and using the strip <NUM> as a disposable one, a user may easily measure potassium ions in a short time and may easily use the measuring device <NUM> in a normal home.

(The reference electrode <NUM> shown in <FIG> represents the reference electrode <NUM> included in the measuring device <NUM>, not in the strip <NUM>. The reference electrode <NUM> shown in <FIG> indicates a position where the reference electrode <NUM> is arranged when the strip <NUM> is inserted into the measuring device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the measuring device <NUM> includes the reference electrode <NUM>, and the reference electrode <NUM> may include platinum (Pt) or silver chloride (AgCl). The inlet <NUM> of the measuring device <NUM>, which is a hole for inserting the strip <NUM> into the measuring device <NUM>, may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the strip <NUM>.

When the strip <NUM> is inserted into the measuring device <NUM> through the inlet <NUM>, the reference electrode <NUM> may be inserted into the inner space <NUM>. Here, the reference electrode <NUM> is arranged outside the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>.

That is, the first working electrode <NUM> is arranged inside the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>, and the reference electrode <NUM> is arranged outside the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>. Since the solution <NUM> inside passes through the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>, a difference in the concentration of potassium ions occurs between the inside and the outside. The concentration of potassium ions in the solution <NUM> may be measured by measuring a voltage difference V caused by the concentration difference through the reference electrode <NUM> and the first working electrode <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, the inlet <NUM> may be formed on a side surface of the strip <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the inlet <NUM> may be formed on the side surface of the strip <NUM>, not on an upper surface thereof. The inlet <NUM> may include a capillary (thin tube) having a diameter less than a diameter of the inner space <NUM>, and a capillary phenomenon may be used.

In more detail, when the solution <NUM> is injected into the inlet <NUM>, even a small amount of the solution <NUM> may be easily injected into the inlet <NUM> by the capillary phenomenon. The inlet <NUM> may be formed of a plurality of capillaries, and the inlet <NUM> may be formed of porous (including the plurality of capillaries) holes.

According to another embodiment, the first working electrode <NUM> may extend obliquely with respect to a direction in which the strip <NUM> extends in a longitudinal direction. The first working electrode <NUM> may extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. However, as shown in <FIG>, it is preferable that the first working electrode <NUM> extends upward and obliquely with respect to the direction in which the strip <NUM> extends in a longitudinal direction. (Here, the longitudinal direction of the strip <NUM> may be a horizontal direction in the strip <NUM> in a plate shape, and a vertical direction may be a width direction.

As such, extending the first working electrode <NUM> obliquely with respect to the direction in which the strip <NUM> extends in a longitudinal direction is to form the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> which may be arranged on the first working electrode <NUM>. The potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> may be arranged on the first working electrode <NUM> in the form of a solution and then dried.

When the first working electrode <NUM> is arranged only in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip <NUM>, the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> in the form of a solution continues to flow along the first working electrode <NUM> so that the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> may not be formed exactly at a desired position.

However, when the first working electrode <NUM> extends upward and obliquely with respect to the direction in which the strip <NUM> extends in a longitudinal direction as shown in <FIG>, a clogging space may be formed through the first working electrode <NUM>. This allows the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> in the form of a solution to be dried without flowing, and the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> may be accurately positioned at a desired position.

A strip structure for measuring potassium ions according to the invention includes a blood filter membrane <NUM> in the inner space <NUM> and capable of removing foreign matter of the solution <NUM>, wherein one side of an electrode extending in a strip shape may be arranged inside the blood filter membrane <NUM> and the other side of the electrode may further include a second working electrode <NUM> arranged on a surface of the strip <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the blood filter membrane <NUM> is arranged outside the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> so that the blood filter membrane <NUM> may filter large-sized substances such as leukocytes, red blood cells, and the like in the blood before the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> filters the solution <NUM>.

When the solution <NUM> has large-sized substances, the efficiency of selectively passing potassium ions through the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> is reduced. In order to prevent such a problem, the blood filter membrane <NUM> filters the solution <NUM> first, thereby measuring a more accurate concentration of potassium ions.

The fact that the blood filter membrane <NUM> is arranged outside the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> means that the blood filter membrane <NUM> is arranged between the inlet <NUM> and the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>. As a result, the blood filter membrane <NUM> is arranged closer to the inlet <NUM> than the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> so that the blood filter membrane <NUM> may filter the solution <NUM> first.

One end of the second working electrode <NUM> extending in a strip shape is inside the blood filter membrane <NUM> and the other end is in the surface of the strip <NUM>. In more detail, the second working electrode <NUM> may be between the blood filter membrane <NUM> and the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> and may be provided to measure other specific materials after filtering the solution <NUM> into the blood filter membrane <NUM>. In more detail, the second working electrode <NUM> may measure a substance that may pass through the blood filter membrane <NUM>.

The measuring device <NUM> may be used to measure other specific materials through the second working electrode <NUM> and other specific materials may be measured while the strip <NUM> is inserted into the measuring device <NUM>. (Here, a separate second reference electrode may be included in the measuring device <NUM>. ) Therefore, the second working electrode <NUM> needs to be exposed to the outside of the strip <NUM> in the same manner as the first working electrode <NUM> so that the other side of the second working electrode <NUM> is preferably in the surface of the strip <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, it is preferable that the second working electrode <NUM> extends upward and obliquely with respect to the direction in which the strip <NUM> extends in a longitudinal direction in the same manner as the first working electrode <NUM>. This is for forming the blood filter membrane <NUM> which may be on the second working electrode <NUM>.

The blood filter membrane <NUM> may be arranged on the second working electrode <NUM> in the form of a solution and then dried. When the second working electrode <NUM> is arranged only in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip <NUM>, the blood filter membrane <NUM> in the form of a solution continues to flow along the second working electrode <NUM> so that the blood filter membrane <NUM> may not be formed exactly at a desired position.

However, when the second working electrode <NUM> extends upward and obliquely with respect to the direction in which the strip <NUM> extends in a longitudinal direction as shown in <FIG>, a clogging space may be formed through the second working electrode <NUM>. This allows the blood filter membrane <NUM> in the form of a solution to be dried without flowing, and the blood filter membrane <NUM> may be accurately positioned at a desired position.

According to an embodiment, the second working electrode <NUM> may be used to measure other specific materials in the solution <NUM> and may be omitted if necessary.

According to the invention, the strip <NUM> includes an insertion hole <NUM> in the surface of the strip <NUM> and communicating with the inner space <NUM>. The insertion hole <NUM> is a hole into which the reference electrode <NUM> of the measuring device <NUM> may be inserted when the strip <NUM> is inserted into the measuring device <NUM>, wherein the reference electrode <NUM> is placed in the inner space <NUM> through the insertion hole <NUM>. (Here, as described above, the reference electrode <NUM> may be arranged outside the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>.

A strip structure for potassium ion measurement according to the embodiment described above may be operated as follows. First, the solution <NUM> is inserted into the inner space <NUM> through the inlet <NUM>. The inlet <NUM> may be arranged on the upper surface of the strip <NUM> or may be arranged on a side surface of the strip <NUM>.

The inlet <NUM> is preferably made of a capillary having a diameter less than the diameter of the inner space <NUM> and a small amount of the solution <NUM> may be injected into the inner space <NUM> by a capillary phenomenon through the inlet <NUM>.

When a sufficient amount of the solution <NUM> is injected into the inner space <NUM>, potassium ions in the solution <NUM> pass through the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> for a certain period of time, and a difference in the concentration of potassium ions occurs between the inside and the outside of the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>. (The outside is a direction toward the inlet <NUM> with the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> as a center, and the inside is the opposite direction.

Thereafter, when the strip <NUM> is inserted through the inlet <NUM> of the measuring device <NUM>, the reference electrode <NUM> of the measuring device <NUM> is arranged outside the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>.

The voltage difference V is generated due to a difference in the concentration of potassium ions between an inner side and an outer side of the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>. The reference electrode <NUM> arranged outside the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> and the first working electrode <NUM> arranged inside the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> may detect the concentration of potassium ions by measuring the voltage difference V.

The strip structure for potassium ion measurement according to the embodiment described above may be modified and used as follows.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, which are not embodiments of the present invention, the reference electrode <NUM> included in the measuring device <NUM> may be included in the strip <NUM>. That is, the reference electrode <NUM> may be included in the measuring device <NUM> or may be included in the strip <NUM>.

In more detail, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the reference electrode <NUM> may be formed on the strip <NUM> instead of the measuring device <NUM>. The reference electrode <NUM> extends in a strip shape, and one side of the reference electrode <NUM> is arranged outside the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> and the other side of the reference electrode <NUM> is in the surface of the strip <NUM>.

In this case, the reference electrode <NUM> is not included in the measuring device <NUM>, and only a device capable of measuring the potential (V) is formed in the measuring device <NUM>.

One side of the reference electrode <NUM> may be arranged on the outer side of the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> and further on the outermost side of the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>. When the second working electrode <NUM> and the blood filter membrane <NUM> are used, the reference electrode <NUM> may be arranged outside the second working electrode <NUM> and the blood filter membrane <NUM>.

When the reference electrode <NUM> is included in the strip <NUM>, the reference electrode <NUM> also needs to be exposed to the outside of the strip <NUM> in the same manner as the first working electrode <NUM> and the second working electrode <NUM>. Therefore, the other side of the reference electrode <NUM> is preferably arranged in the surface of the strip <NUM>. Furthermore, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, it is also preferable that the reference electrode <NUM> extends upward and obliquely with respect to the direction in which the strip <NUM> extends in a longitudinal direction.

The reference electrode <NUM> may be formed by depositing a material that can be used as the reference electrode <NUM> such as silver chloride (AgCl) according to the shape of the strip <NUM>. A method of inserting the strip <NUM> after forming the reference electrode <NUM> using an Ag film is also possible.

Referring to <FIG>, a gap between the first working electrode <NUM> and the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> of the strip structure for measuring potassium ions according to the embodiment may be filled with an electrolytic material <NUM> which dissociates into ions and causes a current to flow. In more detail, the electrolytic material <NUM> may be in a solution state or a gel state, and the electrolytic material <NUM> may be a hydrogel. (The electrolytic material <NUM> is not limited to the hydrogel, and various materials may be used as long as they dissociate into ions and cause a current to flow.

By filling the gap between the first working electrode <NUM> and the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> with the electrolytic material <NUM> as described above, the accuracy of sensing potassium ions in the blood is increased. Accordingly, the potassium ions in the blood may be accurately measured. Furthermore, referring to <FIG>, a gap between the second working electrode <NUM> and the blood filter membrane <NUM> may also be filled with the electrolytic material <NUM> which dissociates into ions and causes a current to flow.

Referring to <FIG>, that is not an embodiment of the present invention, a strip structure for measuring potassium ions according to an embodiment may be modified and used as follows. The first working electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM> may be formed at the inlet <NUM> of the strip <NUM> with a first working electrode contact portion 140a and a reference electrode contact portion 151a having a surface area greater than the width of the first working electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM> having a strip shape.

The first working electrode contact portion 140a and the reference electrode contact portion 151a may be formed through a metal deposition method. When the first working electrode contact portion 140a and the reference electrode contact portion 151a are formed, a contact area between the solution <NUM> injected through the inlet <NUM> and the first working electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM> may be widened.

The first working electrode contact portion 140a and the reference electrode contact portion 151a may be formed in various shapes as long as the contact area of the solution <NUM> with the first working electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM> may be widened.

For example, the first working electrode contact portion 140a may have a circular shape at the inlet <NUM> and the reference electrode contact portion 151a may have an eyebrow shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As shown in <FIG>, when the first working electrode contact portion 140a and the reference electrode contact portion 151a are formed in the first working electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM>, the first working electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM> may be stacked and arranged on the strip <NUM>.

For example, the reference electrode contact portion 151a, the first working electrode contact portion 140a, the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>, and the blood filter membrane <NUM> may be stacked and arranged on the inlet <NUM>. The reference electrode contact portion 151a is arranged in the inlet <NUM> and the blood filter membrane <NUM> is arranged under the reference electrode contact portion 151a. The potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> may be arranged under the blood filter membrane <NUM> and the first working electrode contact portion 140a may be arranged under the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>.

That is, when the first working electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM> are stacked and arranged on the strip <NUM>, the reference electrode contact portion 151a, the blood filter membrane <NUM>, the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>, and the first working electrode contact portion 140a may be stacked and arranged on the inlet <NUM>.

Thus, foreign matter of blood may be removed through the blood filter membrane <NUM> while widening the contact area of the solution <NUM> with the first working electrode <NUM> and the reference electrode <NUM>, and the potassium concentration of the blood may be measured through the reference electrode <NUM>-the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM>-the first working electrode <NUM>.

The strip structure for potassium ion measurement according to the embodiment described above has the following effects.

Conventionally, in order to measure the potassium concentration in the body, it takes a lot of time to visit a hospital or a medical examination center to conduct a blood test, an electrocardiogram examination, and the like. However, the strip structure for measuring potassium ions according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may easily measure the potassium concentration in the body any time through the measuring device <NUM> capable of measuring a voltage and the strip <NUM> used as a disposable.

In more detail, according to the strip structure for measuring potassium ions according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a user may easily measure the potassium concentration at home without visiting the hospital or the medical examination center by separating the strip <NUM> including the first working electrode <NUM> and the measuring device <NUM> including the reference electrode <NUM> and by using the strip <NUM> as a disposable.

Furthermore, in the past, since the blood test and the electrocardiogram examination have been performed to measure the potassium concentration in the body, the examination procedure is complicated and time-consuming. However, the strip structure for measuring potassium ions according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has an advantage that the potassium ions in the body may be simply measured by dropping the solution <NUM> on the strip <NUM> using the potassium ion selective membrane <NUM> and the first working electrode <NUM>.

Furthermore, the conventional device for measuring potassium concentration in the body is difficult to carry and use at home because it is large. However, the strip structure for measuring potassium ions according to the embodiment of the present invention is compatible with the strip <NUM> which may be used as a disposable, and thus the measuring device <NUM> capable of measuring voltage may be manufactured in a small size and may be easily used.

This allows a patient who needs to constantly manage the potassium concentration in the body to monitor the potassium concentration any time while measuring the potassium concentration at home quickly and easily.

Claim 1:
A strip structure for measuring potassium ions, the strip structure comprising:
a strip (<NUM>) having an inner space (<NUM>) for receiving a solution (<NUM>) therein and being formed in a plate shape;
an inlet (<NUM>) formed in the strip (<NUM>) and capable of injecting a solution (<NUM>) into the inner space (<NUM>) of the strip (<NUM>);
a potassium ion selective membrane (<NUM>) arranged in the inner space (<NUM>) and capable of permeating potassium ions of the solution; and
a first working electrode (<NUM>) extending in a strip shape, wherein one side of the first working electrode (<NUM>) is arranged inside the potassium ion selective membrane (<NUM>) and the other side of the first working electrode (<NUM>) is on a surface of the strip (<NUM>), the inside of the potassium ion selective membrane (<NUM>) referring to an area where the solution (<NUM>) would be permeated through the potassium ion selective membrane (<NUM>);
wherein the strip structure further comprises:
a blood filter membrane (<NUM>) arranged in the inner space (<NUM>) and capable of removing foreign matter of the solution, and the blood filter membrane (<NUM>) is arranged between the inlet (<NUM>) and the potassium ion selective membrane (<NUM>); and
a measuring device (<NUM>) comprising a reference electrode (<NUM>) and an inlet (<NUM>) into which the strip (<NUM>) is insertable,
the strip (<NUM>) comprising an insertion hole arranged in the surface of the strip (<NUM>) and communicating with the inner space (<NUM>), and the reference electrode (<NUM>) of the measuring device (<NUM>) being configured to be insertable into the insertion hole when the strip (<NUM>) is inserted into the measuring device (<NUM>);
and wherein the measuring device (<NUM>) is separated from the strip (<NUM>) and is configured to measure potassium ions when the strip (<NUM>) is inserted into the inlet (<NUM>) of the measuring device (<NUM>).