Multifunctional sensor system
First Claim
1. A multifunctional optical sensor system for sensing a sensed target objective, wherein said sensor system comprises:
- an optical input means;
an intrinsic optical sensor means comprising an intrinsic optical sensing fiber means; and
optical return means;
wherein said optical input means are adapted to receive excitation light from an excitation light source;
wherein said optical input means are for conveying said excitation light to said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;
wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means are for utilizing said excitation light to generate sensor modulated return light as a function of said sensed target objective;
wherein said optical return means are for conveying said sensor modulated return light away from said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;
wherein said optical input means comprises an optical numerical aperture control means, and an excitation optical fiber means;
wherein said optical numerical aperture control means is for generating modally controlled excitation light from said excitation light, and is also for delivering said modally controlled excitation light to said excitation optical fiber means; and
wherein said modally controlled excitation light received by said excitation optical fiber means is, on the average, less coaxially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said excitation optical fiber means, than would be the case without said optical numerical aperture control means.
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Abstract
A multifunctional sensor system for an intrinsic type optical sensing fiber. A numerical aperture controlling optical input element for the excitation fiber may maximize the amount of sensing fiber modulated return light. The excitation fiber may be centered in a ring or linear array of return fibers, to inject excitation light into the return light poor center of the sensing fiber; and to capture return light from the return light rich outer parts of the sensing fiber. Tipping the return fibers with respect to the sensing fiber may increase their capture of high numerical aperture return light. The sizes and number of the adjacent ends of the excitation, return and sensing fibers may be selected to minimize the effects of any lateral displacement between the adjacent ends. The sensing fiber may generate both reference and sensor return light; and a ratiometric output signal may be derived from the reference and sensor return light which may be free of certain system errors. Ribbon-like sensor and sensing fibers may be provided; along with a transition fiber if the sensor and sensing fibers are of different sizes. An annular, possibly tapered, waveguide may be provided around the sensing fiber, to better capture the return light. The waveguide may either pass the target objective; or it may be hollow, and define a sample chamber for the target objective. The ends of the sensing fiber and/or the annular waveguide may be mirrored, to dramatically increase the output of return light, and thus, the sensitivity of the sensor system.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A multifunctional optical sensor system for sensing a sensed target objective, wherein said sensor system comprises:
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an optical input means; an intrinsic optical sensor means comprising an intrinsic optical sensing fiber means; and optical return means; wherein said optical input means are adapted to receive excitation light from an excitation light source;
wherein said optical input means are for conveying said excitation light to said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means are for utilizing said excitation light to generate sensor modulated return light as a function of said sensed target objective; wherein said optical return means are for conveying said sensor modulated return light away from said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;
wherein said optical input means comprises an optical numerical aperture control means, and an excitation optical fiber means;
wherein said optical numerical aperture control means is for generating modally controlled excitation light from said excitation light, and is also for delivering said modally controlled excitation light to said excitation optical fiber means; and
wherein said modally controlled excitation light received by said excitation optical fiber means is, on the average, less coaxially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said excitation optical fiber means, than would be the case without said optical numerical aperture control means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A multifunctional optical sensor system for sensing a sensed target objective, wherein said sensor system comprises:
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an optical input means; an intrinsic optical sensor means comprising an intrinsic optical sensing fiber means; and an optical return means; wherein said optical input means are adapted to receive excitation light from an excitation light source;
wherein said optical input means are for conveying said excitation light to said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means are for utilizing said excitation light to generate sensor modulated return light as a function of said sensed target objective; wherein said optical return means are for conveying said sensor modulated return light away from said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;
wherein said optical input means comprises at least one excitation optical fiber having an output end with a central portion;
wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means comprises at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber having an interface end with a central portion;
wherein said at least one excitation optical fiber is for conveying said excitation light to said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber;
wherein said central portion of said output end of said at least one excitation optical fiber is at least generally coincident with said central portion of said interface end of said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber;
wherein said interface end of said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber completely overlaps said output end of said at least one excitation optical fiber; and
wherein the size of said output end of said at least one excitation optical fiber is up to about 80% of the size of said interface end of said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber, to tend to maximize the amount of said excitation light which is conveyed by said at least one excitation optical fiber to said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber, despite any lateral misalignment of said central portion of said interface end of said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber with respect to said central portion of said output end of said at least one excitation optical fiber.
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6. A multifunctional optical sensor system for sensing a sensed target objective, wherein said sensor system comprises:
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an optical input means; an intrinsic optical sensor means comprising an intrinsic optical sensing fiber means; and optical return means; wherein said optical input means are adapted to receive excitation light from an excitation light source;
wherein said optical input means are for conveying said excitation light to said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means are for utilizing said excitation light to generate sensor modulated return light as a function of said sensed target objective; wherein said optical return means are for conveying said sensor modulated return light away from said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;
wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means comprises at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber having an interface end face;
wherein said optical return means comprise at least one return light optical fiber having an input end with an input end face defined by a taper;
wherein said interface end face of said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber and said input end face of said at least one return light optical fiber at least substantially overlap with each other; and
wherein said at least one return light optical fiber is tilted at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber, such that said input end face of said at least one return light optical fiber is parallel to said interface end face of said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber, to tend to maximize the amount of said sensor modulated return light which is conveyed away from said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber by said least one return light optical fiber.
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7. A multifunctional optical sensor system for sensing a sensed target objective, wherein said sensor system comprises:
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an optical input means; an intrinsic optical sensor means comprising an intrinsic optical sensing fiber means; and optical return means; wherein said optical input means are adapted to receive excitation light from an excitation light source;
wherein said optical input means are for conveying said excitation light to said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means are for utilizing said excitation light to generate sensor modulated return light as a function of said sensed target objective; wherein said optical return means are for conveying said sensor modulated return light away from said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;
wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means comprises at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber having an interface end;
wherein said optical return means comprise at least one return light optical fiber having an input end;
wherein said interface end of said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber and said input end of said at least one return light optical fiber at least substantially overlap with each other;
wherein said sensor modulated return light comprises sensor modulated fluorescence return light;
wherein said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber has an external surface;
wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means further comprises at least one fluorophore on at least a portion of said external surface of said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber;
wherein said at least one fluorophore emits said sensor modulated fluorescence return light as a function of said sensed target objective when said at least one fluorophore is in the presence of said sensed target objective and is simultaneously stimulated by said excitation light;
wherein at least a majority of said sensor modulated fluorescence return light is concentrated in an interface annular ring extending over no more than about the outer 20% of said interface end of said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber; and
wherein said input end of said at least one return light optical fiber at least substantially overlaps said interface annular ring, to tend to maximize the amount of said sensor modulated fluorescence return light which is conveyed away from said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber by said at least one return light optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A multifunctional optical sensor system for sensing a sensed target objective, wherein said sensor system comprises:
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an optical input means; an intrinsic optical sensor means comprising an intrinsic optical sensing fiber means; and optical return means; wherein said optical input means are adapted to receive excitation light from an excitation light source;
wherein said optical input means are for conveying said excitation light to said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means are for utilizing said excitation light to generate sensor modulated return light as a function of said sensed target objective; wherein said optical return means are for conveying said sensor modulated return light away from said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;
wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means comprise at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber and a diffuse scattering media;
wherein said diffuse scattering media is located within at least a portion of said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber;
wherein said sensor modulated return light comprises a first, sensor wave band of sensor modulated return light;
wherein, in response to said excitation light, said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means also generates a second, reference wave band of return light;
wherein said second reference wave band of return light comprises a backscattered portion of said excitation light that has been backscattered by said diffuse scattering media in the presence of said excitation light;
wherein said sensor wave band of sensor modulated return light and said reference wave band of return light are not identical; and
wherein said optical return means comprise ratiometric means for deriving a ratiometric electrical output signal from said sensor wave band of sensor modulated return light and from said reference wave band of return light, to tend to null certain optical errors in said multifunctional sensor system.
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12. A multifunctional optical sensor system for sensing a sensed target objective, wherein said sensor system comprises:
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an optical input means; an intrinsic optical sensor means comprising an intrinsic optical sensing fiber means; and optical return means; wherein said optical input means are adapted to receive excitation light from an excitation light source;
wherein said optical input means are for conveying said excitation light to said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means are for utilizing said excitation light to generate sensor modulated return light as a function of said sensed target objective; wherein said optical return means are for conveying said sensor modulated return light away from said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;
wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means comprise at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber having a sidewall;
wherein said sidewall comprises a roughened portion;
wherein said sensor modulated return light comprises a first, sensor wave band of sensor modulated return light;
wherein, in response to said excitation light, said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means also generates a second, reference wave band of return light;
wherein said second, reference wave band of return light comprises a backscattered portion of said excitation light that has been backscattered by said roughened portion of said sidewall of said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber;
wherein said sensor wave band of sensor modulated return light and said reference wave band of return light are not identical; and
wherein said optical return means comprise a ratiometric means for deriving a ratiometric electrical output signal from said sensor wave band of sensor modulated return light and from said reference wave band of return light, to tend to null certain optical errors in said multifunctional sensor system.
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13. A multifunctional optical sensor system for sensing a sensed target objective, wherein said sensor system comprises:
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an optical input means; an intrinsic optical sensor means comprising an intrinsic optical sensing fiber means; and optical return means; wherein said optical input means are adapted to receive excitation light from an excitation light source;
wherein said optical input means are for conveying said excitation light to said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means are for utilizing said excitation light to generate sensor modulated return light as a function of said sensed target objective; wherein said optical return means are for conveying said sensor modulated return light away from said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;
wherein said sensor modulated return light comprises a first, sensor wave band of sensor modulated return light;
wherein, in response to said excitation light, said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means also generates a second, reference wave band of return light;
wherein said sensor wave band of sensor modulated return light and said reference wave band of return light are not identical;
wherein said optical return means comprise ratiometric means for deriving a ratiometric electrical output signal from said sensor wave band of sensor modulated return light and from said reference wave band of return light, to tend to null certain optical errors in said multifunctional sensor system;
wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means comprise at least a first fluorophore and a second fluorophore;
wherein said first, sensor wave band of sensor modulated return light comprises fluorescence return light emitted by said first fluorophore when said first fluorophore is in the presence of said sensed target objective and is simultaneously stimulated by said excitation light; and
wherein said second, reference wave band of return light comprises fluorescence return light emitted by said second fluorophore when said second fluorophore is stimulated by said excitation light.
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14. A multifunctional optical sensor system for sensing a sensed target objective, wherein said sensor system comprises:
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an optical input means; an intrinsic optical sensor means comprising an intrinsic optical sensing fiber means; and optical return means; wherein said optical input means are adapted to receive excitation light from an excitation light source;
wherein said optical input means are for conveying said excitation light to said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means are for utilizing said excitation light to generate sensor modulated return light as a function of said sensed target objective; wherein said optical return means are for conveying said sensor modulated return light away from said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;
wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means comprises at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber;
wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means further comprises an annular waveguide means;
wherein said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber generates said sensor modulated return light;
wherein said annular waveguide means at least partially surrounds said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber; and
wherein said annular waveguide means are for capturing a captured portion of said sensor modulated return light generated by said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber, and are for delivering said captured portion of said sensor modulated return light to said optical return means. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A multifunctional optical sensor system for sensing a sensed target objective, wherein said sensor system comprises:
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an optical input means; an intrinsic optical sensor means comprising an intrinsic optical sensing fiber means; and optical return means; wherein said optical input means are adapted to receive excitation light from an excitation light source;
wherein said optical input means are for conveying said excitation light to said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means are for utilizing said excitation light to generate sensor modulated return light as a function of said sensed target objective; wherein said optical return means are for conveying said sensor modulated return light away from said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means; and
wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means comprises at least one sensor optical fiber in optical communication with at least one ribbon-like intrinsic optical sensing fiber. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A multifunctional optical sensor system for sensing a sensed target objective, wherein said sensor system comprises:
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an optical input means; an intrinsic optical sensor means comprising an intrinsic optical sensing fiber means; and optical return means; wherein said optical input means are adapted to receive excitation light from an excitation light source;
wherein said optical input means are for conveying said excitation light to said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means are for utilizing said excitation light to generate sensor modulated return light as a function of said sensed target objective; wherein said optical return means are for conveying said sensor modulated return light away from said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;
wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means comprises at least one ribbon-like sensor optical fiber in optical communication with at least one ribbon-like intrinsic optical sensing fiber;
wherein said optical input means comprises at least one excitation optical fiber having an output end;
wherein said at least one ribbon-like sensor optical fiber has an interface end;
wherein said optical return means comprises at least one return light optical fiber having an input end; and
wherein said output end of said at least one excitation optical fiber and said input end of said at least one return light optical fiber are arranged to form a linear array which is located adjacent to said interface end of said at least one ribbon-like sensor optical fiber.
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33. A multifunctional optical sensor system for sensing a sensed target objective, wherein said sensor system comprises:
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an optical input means; an intrinsic optical sensor means comprising an intrinsic optical sensing fiber means; and optical return means; wherein said optical input means are adapted to receive excitation light from an excitation light source;
wherein said optical input means are for conveying said excitation light to said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means are for utilizing said excitation light to generate sensor modulated return light as a function of said sensed target objective; wherein said optical return means are for conveying said sensor modulated return light away from said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means;
wherein said optical input means comprises at least one excitation optical fiber having an output end with a central portion;
wherein said intrinsic optical sensing fiber means comprises at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber having an interface end with a central portion;
wherein said at least one excitation optical fiber is for conveying said excitation light to said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber;
wherein said central portion of said output end of said at least one excitation optical fiber is at least generally coincident with said central portion of said interface end of said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber, to tend to maximize the amount of said excitation light which is conveyed by said at least one excitation optical fiber to said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber;
wherein said optical return means comprise at least one return light optical fiber having an input end;
wherein said at least one excitation optical fiber and said at least one return light optical fiber comprise separate optical fibers; and
wherein said interface end of said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber and said input end of said at least one return light optical fiber at least substantially overlap with each other, to tend to maximize the amount of said sensor modulated return light which is conveyed away from said at least one intrinsic optical sensing fiber by said at least one return light optical fiber.
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Specification