OPTICAL SENSOR AND DEVICE THEREWITH, AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF

• US 20110266449A1
• Filed: 12/03/2009
• Published: 11/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH (Sartorius AG)
• Original Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH (Sartorius AG)
• Inventors: Riechers, Daniel, Wuenn, Eberhard, Baumfalk, Reinhard, Lueders, Julia
• Granted Patent: US 8,779,388 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/361.R
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7786 Fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/15 Preventing contamination of the components of the optical system or obstruction of the light path
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/77 by observing the effect on a chemical indicator
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/80 Indicating pH value

Abstract

An optical sensor is provided with reduced sensitivity toward external light influences, fluorophores, and radiation, more particularly gamma radiation. The sensor is suitable for determining at least one parameter in a medium. The sensor has a matrix that contains a fluorescent dye. The matrix is supported by a transparent substrate and has a precious metal layer on the side facing the medium. The precious metal layer provides protection against photobleaching and radiation. The optical sensor is suitable for implementation in containers and laboratory products that are sterilized by gamma radiation, such as disposable bioreactors.

Claims

1. An optical sensor for determining at least one parameter in a medium, the sensor comprising at least one matrix that contains at least one fluorescent dye;

a transparent substrate on one side of the matrix and supporting the matrix; and

a precious metal layer on a side of the matrix opposite the transparent substrate and facing the medium.

2. The optical sensor of claim 1, formed from materials that can be sterilized by radiation and maintain its functionality after the sterilization.

3. The optical sensor of claim 2, wherein the radiation is ionizing radiation.

4. The optical sensor of claim 2, wherein the radiation is gamma radiation.

5. The optical sensor of claim 2, wherein the radiation is electron radiation.

6. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the matrix is hydrophilic.

7. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the matrix is porous.

8. The optical sensor of claim 7, wherein the precious metal layer does not close-off the porous matrix.

9. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the matrix is a sol-gel matrix or a hydrogel.

10. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the precious metal layer is applied by vapor deposition.

11. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the precious metal layer has a thickness of between 10 nm and 200 nm.

12. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the precious metal layer is made of gold, platinum, palladium or a combination thereof.

13. A device for holding a medium, with an optical sensor for determining at least one parameter in the medium, wherein the optical sensor has at least one matrix that contains at least one fluorescent dye;

a transparent substrate on one side of the matrix and supporting the matrix; and

a precious metal layer on a side of the matrix opposite the transparent substrate and facing the medium.

14. The device of claim 13, which can be sterilized by radiation and maintain its functionality after the sterilization.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the radiation is ionizing radiation.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the radiation is gamma radiation.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the radiation is electron radiation.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the matrix is hydrophilic.

19. The device of claim 13, wherein the matrix is porous.

20. The device of claim 13, wherein the precious metal layer does not close-off the porous matrix.

21. The device of claim 13, wherein the matrix is a sol-gel matrix or a hydrogel.

22. The device of claim 13, wherein the precious metal layer is applied by vapor deposition.

23. The device of claim 13, wherein the precious metal layer has a thickness of between 10 nm and 200 nm.

24. The device of claim 13, wherein the precious metal layer is made of gold, platinum, palladium or a combination thereof.

25. The device of claim 13, which has a transmitter and/or receiver for wireless communication.

26. A method for producing an optical sensor comprising the steps of:

applying a matrix with at least one fluorescent dye onto a transparent substrate;

applying a precious metal layer onto the matrix.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the precious metal layer is applied onto the matrix by sputtering in a pressure range of between 10⁻

5 and 10 Pa, a sputtering voltage of between 800 and 3000 V, and a sputtering current of between 10 and 70 mA.

28. A method for producing a device for holding a medium and comprising the steps of:

providing an optical sensor for determining at least one parameter of the medium, the optical sensor having a transparent substrate, at lease one matrix that contains at least one fluorescent dye disposed on the transparent substrate and a precious metal layer on a side of the matrix opposite the substrate;

combining the optical sensor with the device for holding the medium; and

irradiating the device with the radiation, wherein the sensor maintains its functionality after the irradiation.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the device is irradiated by ionizing radiation.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the device is irradiated by gamma radiation.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the device is irradiated by electron radiation.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein a container made of plastic with at least partly flexible walls is used for the device.