Optical probe
First Claim
1. An integral optical fiber sensor probe comprisinga plurality of optical fibers for transmitting light, at least two of the optical fibers having a fiber bend therein,the fiber bends and a portion of the fibers adjacent the fiber bends encapsulated within cured potting encapsulant material forming a solid integral probe body which is generally tubular along its length and having a diameter across its length,a plurality of sample chambers formed in the cured potting encapsulant material of the solid integral probe body, each sample chamber defined by side walls and a bottom wall and having an open portion,each sample chamber disposed between two opposed fiber faces of optical fibers opposite each other on opposite sides of the sample chamber, one of said two opposed fiber faces being a face of one of the optical fibers having a fiber bend therein, light transmitted through one of the optical fibers passing through the sample chamber from one fiber face to the other,each sample chamber containing a chemical indicating material covering the two opposed fiber faces, the chemical indicating material for changing in response to a specific chemical passing into the sample chamber through the open portion of the sample chamber so that light is changed which is transmitted from one opposed fiber face and through changed chemical indicating material to the other fiber face, andthe portions of the fibers adjacent the fiber bends and the fiber bends spaced apart from each other in the solid integral probe body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method for making a probe with a plurality (one or more) of optical fiber sensors containing colorimetric chemical indicators in gaps in the fibers, the fibers bent to provide good light transmission qualities. Apparatus for making a probe with a plurality of such optical fiber sensors. A probe with a plurality of such optical fiber sensors. A vacuum chuck for holding the ends of such fibers.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An integral optical fiber sensor probe comprising
a plurality of optical fibers for transmitting light, at least two of the optical fibers having a fiber bend therein, the fiber bends and a portion of the fibers adjacent the fiber bends encapsulated within cured potting encapsulant material forming a solid integral probe body which is generally tubular along its length and having a diameter across its length, a plurality of sample chambers formed in the cured potting encapsulant material of the solid integral probe body, each sample chamber defined by side walls and a bottom wall and having an open portion, each sample chamber disposed between two opposed fiber faces of optical fibers opposite each other on opposite sides of the sample chamber, one of said two opposed fiber faces being a face of one of the optical fibers having a fiber bend therein, light transmitted through one of the optical fibers passing through the sample chamber from one fiber face to the other, each sample chamber containing a chemical indicating material covering the two opposed fiber faces, the chemical indicating material for changing in response to a specific chemical passing into the sample chamber through the open portion of the sample chamber so that light is changed which is transmitted from one opposed fiber face and through changed chemical indicating material to the other fiber face, and the portions of the fibers adjacent the fiber bends and the fiber bends spaced apart from each other in the solid integral probe body.
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15. An integral optical fiber sensor probe comprising
three optical fibers for transmitting light, each optical fiber having a bend therein, the fiber bends and a portion of the fibers adjacent the fiber bends encapsulated within cured potting encapsulant material forming a solid integral probe body which is generally cylindrical along its length and having a diameter across its length, three sample chambers formed in the cured potting encapsulant material of the solid integral probe body, each sample chamber disposed in a gap formed in each of the three optical fibers and defined by side walls and a bottom wall and having an open portion, each sample chamber disposed between two opposed fiber faces of optical fibers opposite each other on opposite sides of the sample chamber, light transmitted through one of the optical fibers passing through the sample chamber form one fiber face to the other, each sample chamber containing a chemical indicating material covering the two opposed fiber faces, the chemical indicating material for changing in response to a specific chemical passing into the sample chamber through the open portion of the sample chamber so that light is changed which is transmitted from one opposed fiber face and through changed chemical indicating material to the other fiber face, the generally cylindrical solid internal probe body having a diameter of 650 microns or less, a selective membrane disposed over each open portion of each sample chamber, the membrane for selectively permitting the specific chemical to pass through the membrane to the chemical indicating material, the sample chambers generally five-sided having length, width, and depth the length ranging between 85 microns and 115 microns, the width ranging between 130 microns and 160 microns and the depth ranging between 130 microns and 160 microns, the sample chambers spaced apart a longitudinal distance along the probe body ranging between 665 microns and 915 microns, the solid integral probe body having a distal tip, and a first sample chambers spaced apart a longitudinal distance along the probe body 2540 microns from the distal tip of the probe.
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16. An integral optical fiber sensor probe comprising
a plurality of optical fibers for transmitting light, at least two of the optical fibers having a fiber bend therein, the fiber bends and a portion of the fibers adjacent the fiber bends encapsulated within cured potting encapsulant material forming a solid integral probe body which is generally cylindrical along its length and having a diameter across its length ranging between 600 and 700 microns, a plurality of sample chambers formed in the cured potting encapsulant material of the solid integral probe body, each sample chamber defined by side walls and a bottom wall and having an open portion, each sample chamber disposed between two opposed fiber faces of the intersected optical fibers opposite each other on opposite sides of the sample chamber, one of said two opposed fiber faces being a face of one of the optical fibers having a fiber bend therein light transmitted through one of the optical fibers passing through the sample chamber from one fiber face to the other, each sample chamber spaced apart by a longitudinal distance from the other chambers along the probe body of between 665 microns to 915 microns and containing a chemical indicating material covering the two opposed fiber faces, the chemical indicating material for changing in response to a specific chemical passing into the sample chamber through the open portion of the sample chamber so that light is changed which is transmitted from one opposed fiber face and through changed chemical indicating material to the other fiber face, and the sample chambers generally five-sided having length, width, and depth, the length ranging between 85 microns and 115 microns, the width ranging between 130 microns and 160 microns and the depth ranging between 130 microns and 160 microns.
Specification