Calibrator For A Sensor

Abstract

A calibrator, for calibrating a sensor, has a calibration chamber for containing a calibration liquid. The liquid comprises water or an aqueous solution of an analyte to be sensed. A hydrogen peroxide-quenching material is provided exposed to the interior of the calibration chamber. The hydrogen peroxide-quenching material contacts the calibration liquid. After the calibration chamber containing the calibration liquid is sterilized by irradiation with gamma radiation, the hydrogen peroxide-quenching material decomposes any hydrogen peroxide formed in the calibration liquid to avoid adverse effects on a sensor placed in contact with the calibration liquid.

1 . A calibrator for calibrating a sensor, comprising:
 a calibration chamber for containing a calibration liquid, said liquid comprising water or an aqueous solution; and   an H 2 O 2 -quenching material, exposed to the interior of the calibration chamber, for contacting the calibration liquid.   
     
     
         2 . A calibrator according to  claim 1 , wherein said H 2 O 2 -quenching material catalyzes decomposition of H 2 O 2 . 
     
     
         3 . A calibrator according to  claim 1 , wherein said H 2 O 2 -quenching material is at least one of platinum, a platinum-group element, gold, silver, and an alloy of any of the preceding elements. 
     
     
         4 . A calibrator according to  claim 1 , wherein said H 2 O 2 -quenching material comprises a surface layer within the calibration chamber. 
     
     
         5 . A calibrator according to  claim 1 , further comprising a lead screw of a mechanism for changing the concentration of an analyte in the calibration liquid, and wherein the H 2 O 2 -quenching material is a coating on the lead screw. 
     
     
         6 . A sensor kit comprising:
 a sensor for detecting an analyte, said sensor having a sensing region comprising a receptor for said analyte; and   a calibrator as defined in  claim 1 .   
     
     
         7 . A sensor kit according to  claim 6 , wherein the sensor is a saccharide sensor and the analyte is saccharide. 
     
     
         8 . A sensor kit according to  claim 6 , wherein the sensor is a glucose sensor and the analyte is glucose. 
     
     
         9 . A method of sterilizing a calibrator comprising a calibration chamber, the method comprising:
 providing an H 2 O 2 -quenching material exposed to the interior of the calibration chamber;   providing a calibration liquid in the calibration chamber in contact with the to H 2 O 2 -quenching material, said liquid comprising water or an aqueous solution; and   irradiating the calibrator with gamma radiation.