Introduction of Electrode

1 Principle of electrode

2 Scheme diagram

3 Calibration

4 Trouble shooting
Principle of Electrode
 The electrode is built on ISE technology. A suitable membrane is selective permeable to single ion. And a
potential difference is generated between the membrane as the charge associated with ion is transferred
when an ion penetrates the membrane. The magnitude of potential is determined by the concentration
difference between two sides of the membrane.
 To measure this tiny potential , the following model is used which a reference is introduced and an Ag rod
coated with AgCl is dipped into the internal solution. It consists of four portions: a reference electrode
filled with saturated chloride solution, an electrode filled with fixed concentration solution, a voltage
meter ,an unknown concentration sample bridged REF and ISE to form a closed circuit loop.

Contact

Ag rod coated with AgCl

Saturated solution

Membrane
Sample

ISE REF
Schematic diagram
 In the analyzer five electrodes are connected together with Ref. The reference configures as the common
electrode which provides a fixed potential. The K/Na/Ca/PH/Cl can be measured at the same time when
sample is fed to the measuring chamber. Potential determined by the difference between K/Na/Ca/PH/Cl
and Ref is amplified and sent to mainboard for further processing.

CPU Amplifier board

optical
… Amp ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ coupler

K Na Ca PH CI Ref
From To
Probe Pump
Measuring chamber
Two point /one point Calibration
 The mV value is proportional to the logarithm of concentration. So we can determine
a line model by two mVs given from two different fixed concentration. From that line
model an unknown concentration can be got if the mV values is given. That is two
point calibration.
 If only one is performed, it is one point calibration. The other point uses the data of
last two point calibration.

mmol/L
2-point
calibration
CAL B
standard
value

1-point
calibration
CAL A
standard
value

mV1 mV2 mV

Fig. 6 2-point calibration

Definition of problems
 Drift
The mV value difference between two continual calibration exceeds the limit (>0.5V).
This means that the electrode status is unstable.
 Unstable
The electrode fails to get a stable mV value before 30s count down is reached.
This means that the electrode can not reach stable.
 Abnormal
The mV value of Cal A-Cal B exceeds the limit.
This means that the performance of the electrode decreases or the lifespan almost reaches its limit.
 OR (out of range)
The mV value of electrode exceeds normal range.
Normally it is caused due to lack of internal solution.

Normal range (mV) Cal B- Cal A (mV)

K 45 ~ 140 12 ~ 21.0

Na 45 ~ 120 -4.2~ -7.3

CI 50 ~ 120 5.4 ~ 10.8

Ca 35 ~ 100 6.6 ~ 10.5

PH 70 ~ 170 16 ~ 28
Defination of problems
 The following graph may well help you understand these concepts.
1)The area outside of two green horizontal line is OR.
2)The area outside of two blue lines is Abnormal.

CAL A1

mv OR
>0.5V
Abnormal
Drift CAL A2
Normal Min(Cal B-Cal A)
range Max(Cal B-Cal A)
Drift
Abnormal

OR

Cal A Cal B LogC

Factors may affect all electrodes
 Power supply is not grounded
Problem: All mV values fluctuating up and down.
A good grounded power supply is required and a magnet saturated stabilizer is recommended.
 Air bubbles in the measuring pathway
Problem: Two or more electrode are drifting, unstable, OR
The pathway also configures as a passway of electrical charge. bubble changes its conductivity thus the
result is unreliable.
 Reagent problem( go bad/turbid/out of expiration)
Problem: Two or more electrode are abnormal, OR
The analyzer uses Cal A and Cal B in the reagent pack to determine a line model. Reagent problem makes
the calibration fail to give a correct result. ~
 Reference electrode Problem
Problem: Two or more electrodes are drift, abnormal, OR, unstable
All mV values are given on the base of reference electrode. Charge
 Blockage/Leakage in the pathway flow
Sample cannot reach measuring pathway or results in bubbles inside
 Oring (Gasket) of electrode broken/missing
Leakage/loose connection will affect all mVs.
 Installation problem of Electrode
Moisture/Dirty/Loose connection. Electordes should be clean and dry. ISE REF
Factors affect only one electrode
 Internal refill solution
Problem: OR, abnormal
The concentration of internal solution increases, Or the solution is lower than normal level which makes it
cannot function well.
 Membrane (Contamination/broken/aging)
Problem: abnormal, OR, Low response
The membrane is dyed , broken, aging, which cannot properly select ion.
 Ag core( Broken/AgCl coated felt off )
Problem: OR
The electrode cannot properly sense the potential difference. ~
 Rust on the contact
 Air bubbles near sensing area. Charge
Problem: Drift, OR, abnormal. flow

ISE REF
 Routine checkup
 Assembly electrode:
Note:
A tiny dirt or wet, loose installation will make great trouble. It is very important to clean and dry the
measuring chamber, electrodes, contacts before installation, and press electrode to ensure they are
connected tightly.
The following procedure are recommended:
1. Disassembly
Lift up probe, Manually twist pump wheel to empty the pathway. Release locking knob. pull out the
electrode.
2. Assembly electrode
a) Before assembly, pls Check the electrode
 Refill solution is higher than ¾ of cavity
 O ring is in good condition and fits in proper position
 Sensing area is not dyed.
 Electrical contact is rustless check
 No air bubble underneath the liquid level
 Ag core is completely coated with black AgCI.
b) Clean and Dry the measuring chamber. Electrodes,
only grab the handle of electrode and place it into place.
c) Press and push the electrode to make all electrodes contact tightly.
d) Close the knob, close the door.
Troubleshooting Guide
All electrodes shares the same pathway and Ref, while their electrical processing
circuits are separate. So this can guide you through troubleshooting when facing a
problem.
 If only one electrode has problem, that means the problem exists within that channel.
You should focus on: problem electrode, processing circuit of that channel.
 If two or more electrodes have problems, it means that the problem is probably
connected with common pathway .You should focus on Ref electrode or regent pack
or the installation of electrodes, liquid pathway checkup .

CPU Amplifier board

Common
… Amp ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Separate K Na Ca PH CI Ref

Measuring chamber
 Troubleshooting guide
Aging

Circuit Rusty contact

Only one Insufficient Solution Replace new

electrode AgCI coat is felt off
Membrane is dyed
Electrode Liquid on the surface/leakage
Problems
Ground mVs fluctuate up and down

Reagent mVs fluctuate or abnormal

≥2 REF Bubbles/ insufficient solution

Pathway Bubbles or blockage

Chamber Wet inside

Drift
 If one electrode drifts
1) Feed fresh serum to active for 30 mins.
2) Check the sense area of electrode, if there is any bubbles
3) Check the filling solution, if the level is lower than ¾ cavity?
4) For K, Ca, Cl electrode, perform De-proteinize cycle and check again;
for Na, pH electrode, perform Conditioning cycle and check again. Liquid
5) Try a new one or contact the manufacturer. level

 If more electrodes drift

1) Check power supply if it is good grounded
2) Feed fresh serum to active for 30 mins.
2) Check Ref electrode, if there is any bubbles, if the filling solution is lower than, if the membrane is
broken, if the Ag core is broken or its coat felt off.
3) To check the fluid segment when calibration, if there are any bubbles exist; if the fluid segment could
reach the measuring chamber.
4) Try reinstall all electrodes. Clean and dry electrodes as well as chamber. Run cal A for several times.
5) Try a new reagent pack to compare the result.
6) To activate the electrodes with fresh serum, select Maintenance>>De-proteinize, and feed fresh serum to
the aspiration needle, the system will perform electrodes activate procedures automatically.
7) Replace suspect electrode with a new one.

Note
For a new electrode, it will active it with fresh serum for 60 mins. For Ca, sometimes it will take
24 hrs to reach stable.
Abnormal
1) For K, Ca, Cl electrode, perform De-proteinize cycle and check again;
for Na, pH electrode, perform Conditioning cycle and check again.
2) Check the membrane, you can notice liquid leakage on the surface if the membrane is broken.
3) Check reagent pack if it is degenerative
4) Check the membrane area if it is dyed. Drop blanching water to clean it for 5 minutes.
For bleaching water, the concentration is 50% for NaClO3,
5% if it is NaClO. A higher concentration will damage the
membrane. Drop
Note
There is cleaning solution inside reagent pack. But it is only
used when 200 samples are finished or 5 days have past. This
cleaning cycle executes at 24:00 hour in the night.
Or
If you don’t have blanching water at hand, you can manually
aspirate cleaning solution inside reagent pack by using a syringe.
Abnormal
5) Manual operate cleaning cycle
a) Access Service>>Instruction Hints>>Multiplexer checking program, press [YES] to continue.
b) Four choices display at the bottom of the screen“1→A；2→B；3→Clean；4→Air”，each
choice represents one position of the multiplexer, Cal A, Cal B , Cleaning, and Air. When one
choice is selected , the multiplexer will switch to corresponding channel.
c) Select [3→Clean] to select Cleaning position.
d) Manually rotate the peristaltic pump counter-clock wisely to draw cleaning solution
to the measuring chamber,
e) Keep the solution for 5 minutes.
f) Perform washing cycle (Maintenance>>
Washing) several times after finishing.
OR
1) Try reinstall electrode, clean and dry electrodes and chamber, check any bubbles in the sense
area, check the gasket of electrode..
2) Check Refill solution, replace new if it is not enough
3) Check Ag core if the coat( black) is felt off.
4) Check REF electrode if refill solution is enough, if any bubbles exists inside.
5) Check liquid pathway if there is any blockage or leakage
6) For K, Ca, Cl electrode, perform De-proteinize cycle and check again;
for Na, pH electrode, perform Conditioning cycle and check again.
7) Check test parameters setup if mV is normal.
8) Replace a new one.
Unstable
1) Try reinstall electrodes, clean and dry electrodes and chamber before installation.
2) Check O ring (gasket), replace a new one if it is broken.
3) Check the surface of electrode if it is wet or clotted with salt.
4) Check REF electrode if refill solution is enough, if any bubbles exists inside.
5) Check liquid pathway if there is any blockage or leakage. Watch from chamber window if
there is any bubbles in the pathway.
6) For K, Ca, Cl electrode, perform De-proteinize cycle and check again;
for Na, pH electrode, perform Conditioning cycle and check again.
No Cal A No Cal B No cleaning
1) check if the reagent pack has
solution by using a syringe.

2) Check pump tube if it is aging.

3) Check the pathway if it is

blocked.
a) Access Service>>Instruction
Hints>>Multiplexer checking
program, press [YES] to continue.
b) Remove the regent pack, and lift
up probe, select the
corresponding position by press
[1]/[2]/[3]
d) Draw distilled water with syringe,
connect the syringe to the inlet of
the Cal A/Cal B/Cleaning
e) Inject distilled water to eliminate
the blockage.
Reduce Reagent consumption
If samples for everyday is less than 5, a longer calibration interval and sleeping time are
recommended to save reagent.
Enter setup>>calibration mode,
Set calibration interval at 4 hours.
Set sleep time to a longer period.
Remaining %Reagent display
There is a code to control the display of remaining reagent. It can be turn on/off by
1) Enter SETUP menu
2) Press “-,No,No,1,1,8”, when the message displays:” turn Volume test on”, press Yes to turn
on.
Note
If a new reagent pack is replaced, you should execute the replace program by entering
Service--REAGENT REPLACE. Or the percentage will not change after direct replacing.