A paper-based potentiometric cell for decentralized monitoring of Li levels in whole blood

Lab Chip. 2014 Apr 7;14(7):1308-14. doi: 10.1039/c3lc51098k.

Abstract

A novel approach to monitor Li levels in blood in decentralized (out of the lab) settings is presented. The approach uses a potentiometric cell fully made with filter paper as a support. Electrodes were built using carbon nanotubes ink to create a conductive path and a suitable polymeric membrane. Solid-state ion-selective electrodes for Li and a reference electrode were built and optimized. The results obtained on real samples of serum and whole blood are comparable with those obtained by conventional standard approaches. This platform shows an outstanding performance for the direct, fast and low-cost monitoring of Li levels in blood.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Lithium / blood*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Paper*
  • Potentiometry / methods

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Lithium