Apparatus for oxygen determination

• US 5,030,420 A
• Filed: 02/03/1986
• Issued: 07/09/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation (University of Virginia)
• Original Assignee: The University of Virginia Patent Foundation
• Inventors: Bacon, John R., Demas, James N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hill, Jr., Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US06/825,735
• Time in Patent Office: 1,982 Days
• Field of Search: 436/136, 436/138, 436/172, 436/175, 436/178, 436/169, 250/458.1, 250/459.1, 356/39, 356/40, 356/41, 128/633, 128/634, 128/664, 128/665, 128/666, 422/55, 422/52, 422/56, 422/83, 422/88, 422/91, 422/82.07, 422/82.08
• US Class Current: 422/82.07
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6432 Quenching
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7786 Fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6408 with measurement of decay time, time resolved fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6428 Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/85 Investigating moving fluids or granular solids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/207497 Molecular oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/209163 Dissolved or trace oxygen or oxygen content of a sealed environment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25125 Digestion or removing interfering materials
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/255 including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction

Abstract

Quenching luminescence of the tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) perchorate, immobilized in a silicone rubber by oxygen is shown to be an accurate and precise method for measuring oxygen concentration in solutions and in the gas phase. Quenching can be quantitated by either lifetime or intensity quenching measurements. Strong aqueous acids and bases, complexing agents, oxidants, and reductants do not penetrate the hydrophobic polymer and, therefore, do not affect the response. Gaseous interferents, such as H₂ S, anesthesia gases (e.g. N₂ O, Halothane), and fluorocarbons do not affect the response. Chlorine and especially SO₂ cause strong, but reversible interference presumably because of electron transfer quenching. A system with a response time of less <0.2 s is disclosed, which is adequate for the monitoring of breathing subjects.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring oxygen concentration comprising

a sensor made of luminescent material;

a polymer barrier covering the sensor, wherein the polymer is permeable to oxygen;

means for exciting the sensor with a modulated light source to generate luminescence therein; and

means for measuring a phase shift of luminescence generated in the sensor to determine luminescence lifetime, wherein any quenching related to decreases in lifetime due to the presence of oxygen are indicative of concentration of oxygen, wherein the barrier comprises light transmissive cured silicone rubber having tris-(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) perchlorate immobilized therein as the luminescent material.