Recently, polymeric sol-gel films synthesized to release nitric oxide (NO) have proven useful for reducing platelet adhesion and microbial biofilm formation. For biomedical applications, the release rate and steady-state surface concentration of NO are important factors governing the ultimate biocompatibility of these materials. An electrochemical NO sensor is an appropriate analytical tool for measuring local NO levels in close proximity to the surface of a NO-releasing material. In this work, two different types of NO sensors were prepared and used to measure steady-state surface NO concentration levels. This allowed for determination of the optimum sensor geometry, sensing-tip dimensions, and configuration. The first sensor was fabricated with an outer silicone rubber (SR) gas permeable membrane covering a platinum (Pt) microelectrode. The second sensor consisted of a Pt microelectrode surface modified by the electrodeposition of nickel (II) tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (NiTSPC). Comparison of the surface NO concentration levels measured with each sensor provided useful information regarding which NO sensor best minimized “trapping effects” for in situ surface NO level measurements. Accurate measurement of the localized surface concentration of NO may help elucidate the minimum NO surface concentrations necessary to inhibit platelet and bacterial adhesion.
Back to Chemical Sensors: New Frontiers (General Session)
Back to The 56th Southeast Regional Meeting 2004 (November 10-13, 2004)