Importance

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for detecting, in a reliable, precise and highly sensitive manner, biochemical agents such as enzymes that catalyze a redox potential change. One electrode is used to measure redox potential changes in an aqueous electrolyte containing the biochemical agents. Another electrode is used to deliver a feedback current to the electrolyte in response to measured Changes in electrolyte redox potential. The amount of feedback current or charge delivered through the electrode to the electrolyte is sufficient in magnitude to maintain a constant redox potential. Quantitation of the amount of feedback current or charge necessary to maintain the constant redox potential may then be used to determine the amount of biochemical agents present. Alternatively, the redox potential need not be kept constant, but instead may be allowed to reach a new steady-state. Thus, the current, or charge, conducted by a feedback electrode to maintain a new steady-state potential in the presence of an enzymatic reaction may be used to quantitate the amount of enzymatic activity present. The present invention provides precision in the quantitation results, high sensitivity in the enzyme detection, and a wider dynamic range for quantitation of the biochemical agent.

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First Claim