Devices and methods for measuring a target ion concentration uses an
electrode pair. The pair includes a working electrode and a reference
electrode. The working and reference electrodes are ion-selective
electrodes (ISEs). The reference ISE can include a sodium ISE. The ISE
pair interacts with body fluids where a target ion concentration changes
more than sodium ion concentration over time. Some ISE membranes of a
pair vary essentially only in the ionophore. An ISE pair can determine
the ratio of a target ion concentration to sodium ion concentration in
vivo. Periodic measurement of sodium concentration in drawn blood can be
used to calibrate an ISE pair and provide target ion concentration as an
output. Or, a potassium/sodium ISE pair beneficially monitors potassium
concentration changes over time in heart- or kidney-failure patients.
Then, manual or automatic titration of a diuretic material can be
implemented to maintain a desired potassium concentration.