Method for manufacturing fiber optic sensors
First Claim
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1. A method of making a fiber optic sensor for detecting or measuring a parameter of interest in a sample fluid, comprising:
- (a) providing an elongated optical fiber means having a distal tip and a proximal section for receiving a signal from the distal tip and relaying the signal to a detection means, wherein the surface of the optical fiber means is exposed at the distal tip;
(b) applying an adhesive composition over the exposed surface at the distal tip of the optical fiber means to provide an adhesive layer thereon capable of being formed into a desired configuration, wherein the adhesive composition is selected to harden and bond to a substrate upon curing with a cross-linking agent, or with light, or both;
(c) optionally forming the adhesive layer into a desired configuration;
(d) curing the adhesive layer to a predetermined degree;
(e) applying an indicator composition over the adhesive layer to form a sensing layer thereon, wherein the indicator composition contains an indicator component which is sensitive to a parameter of interest in the sample fluid and provides a signal related thereto; and
(f) optionally curing the sensing layer.
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Abstract
A method is provided-for manufacturing a fiber optic sensor for detecting or measuring a parameter of interest in a sample fluid, including pH, concentration of dissolved gases such as O2 or CO2, and the like. The sensing chemistry is affixed to the distal end of an elongated optical fiber by way of an adhesive layer typically comprised of an acrylic adhesive composition. Novel optical sensors, fabricated using the aforementioned method, are provided as well.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of making a fiber optic sensor for detecting or measuring a parameter of interest in a sample fluid, comprising:
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(a) providing an elongated optical fiber means having a distal tip and a proximal section for receiving a signal from the distal tip and relaying the signal to a detection means, wherein the surface of the optical fiber means is exposed at the distal tip; (b) applying an adhesive composition over the exposed surface at the distal tip of the optical fiber means to provide an adhesive layer thereon capable of being formed into a desired configuration, wherein the adhesive composition is selected to harden and bond to a substrate upon curing with a cross-linking agent, or with light, or both; (c) optionally forming the adhesive layer into a desired configuration; (d) curing the adhesive layer to a predetermined degree; (e) applying an indicator composition over the adhesive layer to form a sensing layer thereon, wherein the indicator composition contains an indicator component which is sensitive to a parameter of interest in the sample fluid and provides a signal related thereto; and (f) optionally curing the sensing layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification