| Q1
What is the inNO-T System? |
| Q2
What is the function of the ‘inNO-T’ software? |
| Q3
How would one describe the amiNO series of nitric oxide
sensors? |
| Q4
What do these sensors measure? |
| Q5 How
long did it take to develop these NO sensors? |
| Q6
What is the basic operation principle of these sensors? |
| Q7
What is unique about the amiNO series of nitric oxide
sensors versus other NO sensors on the market today? |
| Q8
How many types of nitric oxide sensors are currently
available from Innovative Instruments? |
| Q9
What are the differences between the sensors listed
above? |
| Q10
What are the criteria used for selecting a specific
sensor? |
| Q11
Why is the amiNO series selective for nitric oxide
over other species in a complex sample mixture? |
| Q12
What is the response time of the amiNO sensors?
|
| Q13
Why are there only a small number of publications that
cite the use of the existing commercially available NO electrochemical
sensors for cultured cells, live organs and animals, and tissue measurements? |
|
Q14
How are the amiNO sensors calibrated? |
| Q15
Can these sensors be used to measure nitrite and nitrate? |
|
Q16 What is the life time of these amiNO sensors? |
| Q17
What instrument(s) can be used with the amiNO sensors? |
1.
What is the ‘inNO-T’ System?
'inNO-T' stands for Innovative Nitric Oxide Measuring and Recording
System. Simply put, it is a "state of the art" computer
controlled nitric oxide meter and data acquisition system all in one
compact battery operated unit. It is the most technologically advanced
nitric oxide meter on the market today with an analog to digital resolution
of 24 bit (16,0000,000 to 1) allowing resolution of currents down
to 0.1 pA. The ‘inNO-T’ System comes complete with Meter Analysis
Software, 2 ‘amiNO’ Sensors, Magnetic Stirrer, and Calibration Kit.
The software is compatible with Windows™ 95, 98, 2000 and NT. |
2.
What is the function of the ‘inNO-T’ software?
The ‘inNO-T’ software controls
the parameters for NO measurements, display (charting), analysis and
data saving and retrieval. Features include the ability to zero the
background, control the recording speed, and change the scale and
all the basic functions of a standard data acquisition system. On
line calculations such as Minimum, Maximum, Delta, Average, Sample
and Integral are also available. Data can be saved to a data file
as an image and/or in text format. Data can also be fully or partially
copied directly into an application such as Microsoft Excel™.
 |
3.
How would one describe the amiNO series of nitric oxide sensors?
The ‘amiNO’ series
of nitric oxide (NO) sensors are currently the only electrochemical
sensors on the market today that are specifically designed for real
time, in-situ measurements of NO in any sample or experimental setup.
This would include measurements in-vivo and in cell cultures. All
sensors are integrated sensors meaning that there are no reference
or counter electrodes needed. All sensors are shielded from environmental
and instrumental noise. |
4. What do these sensors measure?
These
sensors measure free NO regardless of its source or environment. |
5.
How long did it take to develop these NO sensors?
The amiNO
series of NO sensors came as a result of 10 years of research and
development. It started in 1991 by the porphyrinic sensor (Malinski
& Taha, Nature, 358, 676, 1992). The developer of amiNO sensors
has developed other NO sensors still offered by other companies. The
amiNO sensors are the latest generation of NO sensors. |
6.
What is the basic operation principle of these sensors?
The sensing element of the sensor is covered with a series of gas
permeable membranes allowing only certain types of gas to pass through.
NO diffuses through these membranes and reacts at the electrode surface.
The exchange of electrons between NO and the electrode surface results
in an electrical current that is monitored and recorded. The magnitude
of the electrical current is directly proportional to the amount of
NO diffused through the membranes, which is proportional to the concentration
of NO in the sample.
|
7.
What is unique about the amiNO series of nitric oxide sensors versus
other NO sensors on the market today?
Competitive
NO sensors on the market today represent an earlier technology in
NO sensor development. The amiNO series of NO sensors represents the
latest improvements in NO sensor technology increasing sensitivity
(signal/unit concentration) by over 100 times compared to currently
available sensors. They also have lowered detection limits to below
1 nM. Combined with the superior electronics the ‘inNO-T’ meter, this
allows the system to detect minute changes in NO concentrations. In
other words, these sensors are able to differentiate between 10 and
11 nM, as an example. The following is a list of some of the other
unique features these sensors offer:
- The amiNO-IV
is the first commercially available sensor that is suitable for
in-vivo measurements. It withstands insertion into tough tissues
without the danger of breaking the gas permeable membrane.
- The amiNO-FLAT
is the first commercially available sensor designed to monitor
the release of NO from a monolayer-cultured cells and large flat
tissue.
- Most of
the sensors offer exceptional sensitivity (signal per unit concentration),
enabling the users to monitor minute changes of NO concentrations.
Some sensors offer a sensitivity in excess of 600 pA/nM, which
is 100 times more sensitivity than any other known commercial
sensor. Customized sensors can be fabricated with higher sensitivity
limits.
This
exceptionally high sensitivity minimizes any significant effects
from baseline drift due to temperature variations. This "drift"
is the primary drawback of most other commercially available sensors
on the market today.
|
8.
How many types of nitric oxide sensors are currently available from
Innovative Instruments?
The table below shows a fist of eight amiNO sensors that will meet
almost any NO measurement application. Five sensors are readily available.
Three are available by special order. Customized sensors are also
available upon request. |
|
Amino
Sensor
|
Description
|
amiNO-100
|
100
µm tip diameter sensor
|
|
amiNO-600
|
600
µm tip diameter sensor
|
|
amiNO-IV
|
600
µm tip diameter with a sharp mettalic tip
|
|
amiNO-FLAT
|
Flat
design with a large surface area
|
|
amiNO-2000
|
2
mm stainless steel tip diameter sensor
|
|
amiNO-30
|
30
µm tip diameter sensor
|
|
amiNO-7
|
7
µm tip diameter sensor
|
|
amiNO-GAS
|
Gas
phase sensor
|
|
9. What are the differences between the sensors listed
above?
The
differences include size, flexibility of the body, durability, sensitivity
and response time. They are specifically designed to meet the requirements
for specific applications. |
10.
What are
the criteria used for selecting a specific sensor?
The
selection of the proper NO sensor strictly depends upon the application,
the expected level of NO, and budgetary requirements. The following
sensitivity comparison
and selection guides can be useful in choosing the right sensor
for you. |
| |
11.
Why is the amiNO series selective for
nitric oxide over other species in a complex sample mixture?
The
selectivity is assured by the intrinsic structural and instrumental
design of the sensors. The use of our proprietary TRIPLECOAT gas permeable
membrane design 'filters' out all other species and most gases. Instrumental
parameters are set to measure only NO even in the presence of oxygen,
carbon dioxide, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and other gases.
|
| 12.
What is the response time of the amiNO sensors?
The
response time is defined as the time needed to reach 90% of the response.
The response time of the ‘amiNO’ sensors varies from one design to
another from under one second to several seconds. |
13.
Why are there only a small number of
publications that cite the use of the existing commercially available
NO electrochemical sensors for cultured cells, live organs and animals,
and tissue measurements?
Due
to the inherent technical limitations (e.g. low sensitivity and membrane
fragility) with previously available commercial sensors, research
involving cultured cells, live organs and animals, and tissues was
either very difficult or impossible. The dramatic improvements in
our new NO detection technologies now make the before mentioned measurements
possible.
|
14.
How are the amiNO sensors calibrated?
The
sensors are calibrated by a simple, economical, and a reliable chemical
reaction for NO production. This reaction is based on the conversion
of nitrite to nitric oxide in acidic solution in the presence of iodide
ion. The reaction has a ratio of one to one, meaning that the amount
of NO produced in this reaction equal to the amount of nitrite added.
Of course other methods such as SNAP and NO saturated solutions can
be used. |
15.
Can these sensors be used to measure nitrite and nitrate?
Yes,
the concentration of nitrite in a sample can be measured by injecting
a certain volume of the sample into an acid/iodide solution in which
nitrite is converted to NO, then detected by the sensor. To measure
nitrate, it must be first converted to nitrite using our Nitrate Reductor.
|
16.
What is the life time of these amiNO
sensors?
The
general life time of the ‘amiNO’ sensors varies from one sensor to
another. The ainiNO-2000 is very durable and can be used for years.
This sensor is supplied with extra membrane sleeves that can be changed
by the user as needed. The amiNO-IV and amiNO-FLAT are constructed
of very tough membranes that are not easily damaged. They can last
for a year or longer. The main factor effecting the life time of all
sensors depends mainly on the care used in handling and storing them. |
17.
What
instrument(s) can be used with the amiNO sensors?
For
optimum results it is recommended that the ‘amiNO’ sensors be used
only with the ‘inNO-T’ Nitric Oxide Measuring System. Sensors can be
compatible with other existing NO meters on the market today through
the use of available adapters. |
| If
you have any other questions or comments regarding our products, please
send e-mail to ztaha@att.net and
we will answer you ASAP. |
| |
