Polymer membranes in clinical sensor applications. I. An overview of membrane function.

Polymer membranes are used in a wide variety of molecular sensing devices many of which are of potential clinical interest. The role of the polymer and the physical properties required of it are, however, rarely clearly defined. An extensive review is presented of the range of polymers whose use as membranes is described in the sensor literature. This forms the basis of an overview of membrane function in potentiometric amperometric and fibre optic sensors. In particular, the interaction of permeability, permselectivity and transmembrane potential is highlighted, together with the role of polymer membranes as matrices for the immobilization of reactive chemical and biological agents.