METHOD OF USING A MICRO OPTICAL SENSOR DEVICE

• US 20070208237A1
• Filed: 05/07/2007
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eric Raskas
• Original Assignee: Eric Raskas
• Inventors: Raskas, Eric
• Application Number:
  US11/745,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20070208237A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/310
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8507 Probe photometers, i.e. with optical measuring part dipped into fluid sample
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2400/00 Assays, e.g. immunoassays or enzyme assays, involving carbohydrates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5438 Electrodes

Abstract

A method of using a sensor device for measuring a concentration of a substance within a sample includes inserting a tip portion of a sensor into a sample. The sensor has an optical transmission member having a first end and a second end. The second end has the tip portion attached thereto and an active material incorporated within the tip portion. The active material is capable of interacting with a substance within the sample. The method includes producing a reflected beam of light from the interaction of the active material with the substance within the sample, the reflective beam of light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The method includes determining the concentration of the substance based on the reflected beam of light.

Claims

1. A method of using a sensor device for measuring a concentration of a substance within a sample comprising the steps of:

inserting a tip portion of a sensor into a sample, the sensor comprising an optical transmission member having a first end and a second end, the second end having the tip portion attached thereto and an active material incorporated within the tip portion, the active material capable of interacting with a substance within the sample;

emitting a beam of light into the first end of the sensor, through the optical transmission member and the tip portion and into the sample, the beam of light having a first wavelength;

producing a reflected beam of light from the interaction of the active material with the substance within the sample, the reflected beam of light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength;

receiving the reflected beam of light and producing a signal indicative of the reflected beam of light; and

determining the concentration of the substance within the sample based on the produced signal.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of preselecting the active material to interact with the substance within the sample.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical transmission member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a fiber optic, organic polymers, inorganic alkoxysilanes, lead borosilicate, fused silica, and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the substance to be measure is glucose.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is a human.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming the sensor with a pencil shaped and sized body having a tip portion, a central body, and an end cap.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming the tip portion to comprise a biologically active compound that is immobilized in an environment that is optically reactive.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming the tip portion to be shaped and adapted to be inserted into a cell without damaging the cell.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the forming step comprises forming the tip portion to have a diameter less than 30 microns.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the diameter is less than 20 microns.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the diameter is less than 10 microns.

12. A method of using a sensor device for measuring a concentration of a substance within a sample comprising the steps of:

inserting a tip portion of a sensor into a sample, the sensor comprising an optical transmission member having a first end and a second end, the second end having the tip portion attached thereto and a first active material and a second active material incorporated within the tip portion, the first active material capable of interacting with a first substance within the sample, the second active material capable of interacting with a second substance within the sample;

emitting a beam of light into the first end of the sensor, through the optical transmission member and the tip portion and into the sample, the beam of light having a first wavelength;

reflecting a first reflected beam of light off of the first active material, the first reflected beam of light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength of the emitted beam of light, the first reflected beam of light relating to a concentration of the first substance within the sample;

reflecting a second reflected beam of light off of the second active material, the second reflected beam of light having a third wavelength different from the first wavelength of the emitted beam of light and the second wavelength of the first reflected beam of light, the second reflected beam of light relating to a concentration of the second substance within the sample;

detecting the first and second reflected beams of light; and

determining a concentration of the first substance within the sample from the first detected reflected beam of light, and a concentration of the second substance within the sample from the second detected reflected beam of light.