Diagnostic test optical fiber tips

• US 20030077205A1
• Filed: 10/24/2001
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tom C. Xu
• Original Assignee: Tom C. Xu
• Inventors: Xu, Tom C.
• Application Number:
  US10/038,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20030077205A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/82.11
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/773 Porous polymer jacket; Polymer matrix with indicator
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/7703 using reagent-clad optical fibres or optical waveguides using measurement of total internal reflection or attenuated total reflection G01N21/552; optical fibres or waveguides per se G02B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8483 Investigating reagent band test-element handling not specific to a test method G01N33/4875; analytical elements specific to chemical analysis of biological material G01N33/52; autometer with reagent band G01N35/04

Abstract

A fiber optic sensor system is provided to determine the concentration of an analyte in fluids. The sensor is made of an optical fiber tip or a tubular tip and has a working end coated with reagents and enzymes. When the working end of the test tip interacts with the analyte, a color reaction takes place. The color intensity is correlated with the amount of analyte presented in the sample and will be transmitted through the optical fiber to a reading meter for data processing. The system can be used to monitor the concentration of a biological analyte such as glucose in blood. Because of the high sensitivity of the fiber optical detection system described here, a minimal sample volume is required and a virtually painless testing process can be achieved.

Claims

1. A test tip device for measuring an analyte in a sample comprising:

a piece of optical fiber with two ends;

a reagent pad containing all the necessary chemicals and enzymes for a specified analysis;

said reagent pad being mounted to one end of said optical fiber;

a detection device comprising;

(a) a light emitting source;

(b) a housing for engaging the other end of said fiber to said light source;

(c) a photo detector to receive light reflected off the reagent pad end of said fiber;

(d) a processor to convert the light signal to the analyte concentration, and (e) a display to display the test results.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the test tip is disposable.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the reagent pad is a membrane impregnated with dry chemicals and enzymes.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said reagent pad is a cast polymer which contains all the required chemicals and enzymes for a specified analysis.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the reagent pad membrane is mounted to the end of said optical fiber by an adhesive.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the reagent pad membrane is mounted to the end of said optical fiber by ultrasonic welding.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said optical fiber is made of glass/glass, or plastic/plastic, or glass/plastic.

8. A tubular test tip device for measuring an analyte in a sample comprising:

a piece of micro tubing with two ends;

a reagent pad containing all the necessary chemicals and enzymes for a specified analysis;

said reagent pad being mounted to one end of said tubing;

a detection device comprising;

(a) a light emitting source;

(b) a fiber optic probe connected to the said light source, (c) a photo detector to receive light reflected off the reagent pad end of said tip;

(d) a processor to convert the light signal to the analyte concentration, and (e) a display to display the test results.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the test tip is disposable.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the reagent pad is a membrane impregnated with dry chemicals and enzymes.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the reagent pad membrane is mounted to the end of said optical tubular tip by an adhesive.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein the reagent pad membrane is mounted to the end of said tubular tip by ultrasonic welding.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein said reagent pad is a cast polymer which contains all the required chemicals and enzymes for a specified analysis.

14. The device of claim 8, wherein said fiber optic probe is made of glass/glass, or plastic/plastic, or glass/plastic.