Electrochemical aspects of intravascular oxygen transducers

The factors which limit the useful lifetime of miniaturized electrochemical oxygen transducers for use in neonatal intensive care are described. These factors arise from the use of the conventional silver-silver chloride reference electrode. Four possible means of improving the useful lifetime are described, namely the use of ion-permeable membranes, guard electrodes, potential-time programmes and nickel(II) hydroxide reference electrodes.