THE ELECTROCHEMICAL REDUCTION OF HALOTHANE .3. CHRONOAMPEROMETRIC MEASUREMENT OF HALOTHANE AND OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS AT A SILVER ELECTRODE

Results are presented for the simultaneous measurement of the concentrations of the inhalation anaesthetic halothane and oxygen in gas streams with compositions in the clinically important range. A triple potential step at a stationary silver electrode is employed: the first step involves the reduction of both oxygen and halothane, the second involves the oxidation at the silver electrode of the bromide ion formed by the initial halothane reduction to form solid silver bromide on the electrode, and the third involves the reduction of this silver bromide to regenerate silver and liberate bromide ion again. Measurement of the charge passed during the first and third steps allows the concentrations of each gas in the stream to be determined. This technique has potential for the development of a clinical sensor for these gases.