Remote multi-position information gathering system and method

• US 4,577,109 A
• Filed: 11/30/1982
• Issued: 03/18/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Hirschfeld, Tomas B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Janice A.
• Application Number:
  US06/445,619
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• Field of Search: 356/32, 356/39, 356/44, 356/317, 356/318, 250/354, 250/461 R, 250/461 B, 250/231 R, 250/231 P, 350/96.18, 128/634
• US Class Current: 250/461.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6434 Optrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6484 Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7786 Fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/255 Details, e.g. use of specially adapted sources, lighting or optical systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6408 with measurement of decay time, time resolved fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/643 non-biological material
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/80 Indicating pH value
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/08 Optical fibres; light guides

Abstract

A technique for gathering specific information from various remote locations, especially fluorimetric information characteristic of particular materials at the various locations is disclosed herein. This technique uses a single source of light disposed at still a different, central location and an overall optical network including an arrangement of optical fibers cooperating with the light source for directing individual light beams into the different information bearing locations. The incoming light beams result in corresponding displays of light, e.g., fluorescent light, containing the information to be obtained. The optical network cooperates with these light displays at the various locations for directing ongoing light beams containing the same information as their cooperating displays from these locations to the central location. Each of these outgoing beams is applied to a detection arrangement, e.g., a fluorescence spectroscope, for retrieving the information contained thereby.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring the salt concentration of an associated fluid and for generating a fluorescent signal related to said salt concentration, the apparatus comprising:

a fiber optic through which an illumination beam from an associated light source is transmitted from a first end of the fiber optic to a second end of the fiber optic;

a plurality of water-sensitive fluorescent indicator molecules;

a gel in contact with the associated fluid, the gel having a volume which is responsive to changes in the salt concentration of the associated fluid, and the gel holding the plurality of water-sensitive fluorescent indicator molecules adjacent to the second end of the fiber optic such that light from the illumination beam leaving the second end of the fiber optic illuminates the plurality of water-sensitive fluorescent indicator molecules and such that a portion of the fluorescent emissions generated by the plurality of water-sensitive fluorescent indicator molecules is collected by the second end of the fiber optic and transmitted to the first end of the fiber optic, the transmitted fluorescent emissions forming a fluorescent signal; and

detection means associated with the first end of the fiber optic for separating the fluorescent signal from the illumination beam and for relating the intensity of the fluorescent signal to the salt concentration of the associated fluid.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of water-sensitive fluorescent indicator molecules includes molecules of methyl green.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of water-sensitive fluorescent indicator molecules includes molecules of erythrosin.

4. An apparatus for monitoring the presence of chloride ions in an associated fluid and for generating a fluorescent signal related to chloride ion concentration therein, the apparatus comprising:

a fiber optic through which an illumination beam from an associated light source is transmitted from a first end of the fiber to a second end of the fiber optic;

a plurality of silver fluoresceinate molecules, the silver fluoresceinate molecules each having a silver moiety and a fluoresceinate moiety;

immobilization means for holding the fluoresceinate moieties of the plurality of silver fluoresceinate molecules adjacent to the second end of the fiber optic and in contact with the associated fluid such that light from the illumination beam leaving the second end of the fiber optic illuminates the fluoresceinate moieties of the plurality of silver fluoresceinate molecules, and such that a portion of the fluorescent emissions generated by the fluoresceinate moieties is collected by the second end of the fiber optic and transmitted to the first end of the fiber optic; and

detection means associated with the first end of the fiber optic for separating the fluorescent emissions transmitted to the first end of the fiber optic from the illuminat1on beam and for relating the intensity of the fluorescent emissions to the chloride ion concentration of the associated fluid.

5. An apparatus for monitoring the presence of ferric ions in an associated fluid and for generating a fluorescent signal related to ferric ion concentration therein, the apparatus comprising:

a fiber optic through which an illumination beam is transmitted from a first end of the fiber optic to a second end of the fiber optic;

immobilization means in contact with the associated fluid, the immobilization means having a first membranous-walled chamber whose interior receives light from the illumination beam emanating from the second end of the fiber optic, the first membranous-walled chamber being permeable to uranyl ions and ferric ions and containing a known concentration of polyphosphoric acid;

reservoir means having a second membranous-walled chamber for holding uranyl ions, the second membranous-walled chamber communicating with the first membranous-walled chamber through a uranyl ion-permeable membrane such that uranyl ions from the second membranous-walled chamber continously diffuse into the first membranous-walled chamber such that the uranyl ions are illuminated by the illumination beam and are caused to generate fluorescent emissions, the fluorescent emissions is being modulated by the presence of ferric ions in a concentration-dependent manner, and such that a portion of the generated fluorescence is collected by the second end of the fiber optic and transmitted to the first end of the fiber optic, the transmitted portion of the fluorescent emissions forming a fluorescent signal; and

detection means associated with the first end of the fiber optic for separating the fluorescent signal from the illumination beam and for relating the fluorescent signal to the ferric ion concentration of the associated fluid.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said fluorescent signal is fluorescent lifetime of said uranyl ions, said illumination beam intermittantly illuminates said uranyl ions in said first membranous-walled chamber, and said detection means includes means for measuring fluorescence lifetime.