Minimally invasive sensor
First Claim
1. A sensor comprising a solid light-conducting fiber having a textured surface site consisting of a textured periphery prepared by atomic oxygen etching and an analyte-responsive reagent deposited on the fiber at said site, said reagent producing a physical or chemical response upon being contacted with said analyte contained within a fluid, said response being observable by a change in characteristics of a light beam transmittable through the fiber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A minimally invasive sensing device, and method for its use, is disclosed which utilizes a light-conducting fiber having a localized textured site thereon, wherein a reagent is deposited. Interaction of the reagent with an analyte specific to the reagent produces a response, such as development of a colored product, which is detectable by means of a change in characteristics of a light beam transmittable through the fiber. By means of the textured site and its increased surface area, the sensitivity of the device is greatly enhanced, such that less than 5 microliters of a fluid is needed for an analysis. The sensor is particularly useful in blood glucose determinations, requiring smaller blood samples than flat strip devices.
74 Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A sensor comprising a solid light-conducting fiber having a textured surface site consisting of a textured periphery prepared by atomic oxygen etching and an analyte-responsive reagent deposited on the fiber at said site, said reagent producing a physical or chemical response upon being contacted with said analyte contained within a fluid, said response being observable by a change in characteristics of a light beam transmittable through the fiber.
- 7. A device comprising a light source, a light detector, and a solid light-conducting fiber having first and second ends, said fiber having a textured surface site consisting of a textured periphery prepared by atomic oxygen etching and an analyte-responsive reagent deposited on the fiber at said site, said reagent producing a physical or chemical response upon being contacted with a droplet of a fluid containing said analyte, said droplet having an initial sampling volume of less than 5 microliters, said response being observable by a change in characteristics of a light beam transmittable through the fiber from said light source to said detector.
- 13. A method of analyzing for an analyte in a fluid comprising bringing a droplet of the fluid having an initial sampling volume of less than 5 microliters into contact with a light-conducting fiber having a textured surface site thereon consisting of a textured periphery prepared by atomic oxygen etching and an analyte-responsive reagent deposited on said fiber at said site, producing a physical or chemical response by interaction of said reagent with said analyte, said response being detectable by a change in characteristics of a light beam, transmitting a light beam through said fiber past said textured site from a light source, and analyzing said light beam for said change, said change being correlative with presence of said analyte in the fluid.
Specification