Miniaturized sensor for ionizing radiation
First Claim
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1. A sensor for determining the concentration of an ionizing radiation emitting analyte in a fluid comprising:
- (a) a scintillator having permeability to said fluid, said scintillator being effective for yielding a sensitivity to ionizing radiation above 2.5×
103 counts per minute per disintegration per minute per microliter per cubic meter of scintillator (cpm/dpm/μ
l/m3); and
(b) an optical waveguide in working relation with said scintillator to collect light photons generated by said scintillator in response to an ionizing radiation source.
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Abstract
The invention is an optical sensor useful for the detection of ionizing radiation emitted from an analyte in a fluid. The sensor is composed of a permeable scintillator having a high surface area to scintillator volume ratio and an optical waveguide located in working relation to the scintillator to collect light photons generated in response to an ionizing radiation source. The sensor is especially useful for biomedical applications. Increased sensitivity allows for miniaturization and implantation in a blood vessel of a small experimental animal.
52 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A sensor for determining the concentration of an ionizing radiation emitting analyte in a fluid comprising:
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(a) a scintillator having permeability to said fluid, said scintillator being effective for yielding a sensitivity to ionizing radiation above 2.5×
103 counts per minute per disintegration per minute per microliter per cubic meter of scintillator (cpm/dpm/μ
l/m3); and(b) an optical waveguide in working relation with said scintillator to collect light photons generated by said scintillator in response to an ionizing radiation source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for determining the concentration of an ionizing radiation emitting analyte in a fluid medium, comprising the steps of:
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(A)inserting a sensor into the medium, wherein the sensor comprises; (a) a scintillator having a permeability to said fluid; and (b) an optical waveguide in working relation with said scintillator to collect light photons generated by said scintillator in response to an ionizing radiation source; (B) collecting the light photons from the scintillator through the waveguide; (C) measuring the number of the light photons and relating the measured number to a known standard to determine the concentration of the analyte in the fluid medium. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification