Apparatus for continuously monitoring a plurality of chemical analytes through a single optical fiber and method of making
First Claim
1. A probe for monitoring a plurality of chemical parameters comprising:
- (a) an optical fiber having a longitudinal axis along which light signals at a plurality of wavelengths are propagated bidirectionally;
(b) an optical sensor attached adjacent to a distal end of the optical fiber, said sensor comprising a first analyte indicator, light signals of a first wavelength being absorbed by the first analyte indicator to an extent dependent upon the amount of a first analyte present; and
(c) a polymer matrix material in which a second analyte indicator is provided, said polymer matrix material being disposed adjacent to the distal end of the optical fiber and adjacent the optical sensor, light signals of a second wavelength transmitted to the distal end of the optical fiber exciting the second analyte indicator to emit light, a decay time of the light emission varying in response to a concentration of the second analyte.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A CO2 /O2 or pH/O2 gas sensor comprising a single optical fiber and a method for making the same. The optical fiber carries light signals at different wavelengths for monitoring either CO2 concentration or pH level, in combination with O2 concentration. Attached to the distal end of the fiber-optic probe is a cylindrical pellet that has one surface covered by a light reflective material (gold foil) and the other surface attached adjacent to the distal end of the optical fiber. Depending on whether the sensor is to monitor either CO2 or pH, the pellet comprises either a CO2 analyte indicator molecule or a pH analyte indicator molecule covalently bonded to a polymer matrix material. Also adjacent to the distal end of the optical fiber is disposed a second polymer matrix material which is codissolved with an O2 analyte reactive indicator molecule. The second polymer matrix material is either interposed between the cylindrical pellet and the distal end of the optical fiber or surrounds the cylindrical pellet. If pH is being measured, the distal end of the optical fiber is coated with a hydrophilic material that is permeable to water. Conversely, if CO2 is being monitored, the distal end is coated with a hydrophobic material.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A probe for monitoring a plurality of chemical parameters comprising:
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(a) an optical fiber having a longitudinal axis along which light signals at a plurality of wavelengths are propagated bidirectionally; (b) an optical sensor attached adjacent to a distal end of the optical fiber, said sensor comprising a first analyte indicator, light signals of a first wavelength being absorbed by the first analyte indicator to an extent dependent upon the amount of a first analyte present; and (c) a polymer matrix material in which a second analyte indicator is provided, said polymer matrix material being disposed adjacent to the distal end of the optical fiber and adjacent the optical sensor, light signals of a second wavelength transmitted to the distal end of the optical fiber exciting the second analyte indicator to emit light, a decay time of the light emission varying in response to a concentration of the second analyte. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A blood gas sensor comprising:
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(a) an optical fiber having a longitudinal axis along which light signals are propagated bidirectionally at a plurality of wavelengths; (b) a first polymer matrix material containing a first indicator molecule, said first indicator molecule exhibiting phosphorescence when excited by light of a first wavelength, the duration of phosphorescence depending upon an oxygen gas concentration around the sensor; (c) a second polymer matrix material containing a second indicator molecule, said second indicator molecule absorbing light at a second wavelength as a function of a selected chemical parameter; and (d) a light reflectance material disposed adjacent said second polymer matrix material such that light transmitted by said optical fiber is substantially reflected back into said optical fiber, wherein said first polymer matrix material is disposed adjacent to said second polymer matrix material and adjacent the distal end of said optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An optrode for monitoring blood gases comprising:
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(a) an optical fiber for propagating light bidirectionally along a longitudinal axis at a plurality of wavelengths; (b) a first polymer matrix having a first analyte indicator molecule codissolved within said first polymer matrix, said first polymer matrix being disposed at the distal end of said optical fiber such that said propagated light is incident upon said first polymer matrix; (c) a second polymer matrix having an O2 analyte indicator molecule codissolved within said second polymer matrix, said second polymer matrix being disposed at the distal end of said optical fiber and separate from the first polymer matrix such that said propagated light is incident upon said second polymer matrix; and (d) a light reflective material disposed at the distal end of said optical fiber such that said propagated light that is incident upon said first polymer matrix is reflected by said light reflective material back into said optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for making a chemical sensor, comprising the steps of:
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(a) mounting a first polymer matrix on at least a portion of a distal end of an optical fiber so that light propagating through the optical fiber passes into the first polymer matrix, said first polymer matrix containing a first indicator molecule, said first indicator molecule absorbing light of a first wavelength in proportion to the concentration of a first analyte; (b) applying a thin film of light reflective material adjacent to said first polymer matrix such that light of said first wavelength propagated distally along said optical fiber and through said first polymer matrix is reflected by said thin film of light reflective material, said reflected light propagating back towards a proximal end of said optical fiber; and (c) applying to the distal end of said optical fiber a second polymer matrix that is separate from said first polymer matrix, said second polymer matrix containing a second indicator molecule, said second indicator molecule emitting light when excited by light of a second wavelength to an extent that is proportional to the concentration of a second analyte disposed around the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification