Optical probe for measuring pH and oxygen in blood and employing a composite membrane
First Claim
1. An optical probe for use in measuring pH and oxygen in blood within a blood vessel of a living body, comprising:
- an elongated, flexible optical fiber means having a proximal end and a distal end with said distal end adapted to be inserted into a said blood vessel;
membrane means secured to said distal end of said optical fiber means for receiving light from the distal end thereof and returning light therethrough to the proximal end thereof; and
said membrane means being constructed of hydrophilic porous material, pH sensitive dye carried by said porous material, a plurality of microspheres constructed of hydrophobic material embedded in and carried by said membrane means, said microspheres carrying a fluorescent dye quenchable with oxygen, whereby light supplied to said proximal end is conveyed to said membrane means causing the pH sensitive dye to react to the light and transmit light back to the proximal end thereof at an intensity level dependent upon the pH level in the blood and causing the oxygen sensitive dye to fluoresce and emit light varying in intensity as a function of the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood with the emitted light transmitted through said optical means to the proximal end thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical probe is presented for use in measuring pH and oxygen content in blood in a blood vessel within a living body. An elongated flexible optical fiber means is provided which has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is adapted to be inserted into a blood vessel. A membrane is secured to the distal end of the optical fiber and receives light from the distal end of the fiber and returns light therethrough to the proximal end. The membrane is constructed of hydrophilic porous material containing a pH sensitive dye. A plurality of microspheres are embedded in and carried by the membrane. These microspheres are constructed hydrophobic material and each carries a fluorescent dye quenchable with oxygen. Consequently, when light is supplied to the proximal end of the optical fiber, it is conveyed to the membrane. This causes the pH sensitive dye to react and light is conveyed through the optical fiber having an intensity level indicative of the pH level in the blood. The oxygen sensitive dye fluoresces and light is transmitted to the proximal end of an intensity which varies with the partial pressure of oxygen.
245 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An optical probe for use in measuring pH and oxygen in blood within a blood vessel of a living body, comprising:
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an elongated, flexible optical fiber means having a proximal end and a distal end with said distal end adapted to be inserted into a said blood vessel; membrane means secured to said distal end of said optical fiber means for receiving light from the distal end thereof and returning light therethrough to the proximal end thereof; and said membrane means being constructed of hydrophilic porous material, pH sensitive dye carried by said porous material, a plurality of microspheres constructed of hydrophobic material embedded in and carried by said membrane means, said microspheres carrying a fluorescent dye quenchable with oxygen, whereby light supplied to said proximal end is conveyed to said membrane means causing the pH sensitive dye to react to the light and transmit light back to the proximal end thereof at an intensity level dependent upon the pH level in the blood and causing the oxygen sensitive dye to fluoresce and emit light varying in intensity as a function of the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood with the emitted light transmitted through said optical means to the proximal end thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification