Chemical sensing flow probe
First Claim
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1. A chemical probe comprising:
- a) a sensor head defining a reaction volume having a shape with a perimeter;
b) launch means for launching light into the reaction volume at a launch site on the perimeter of the reaction volume;
c) collection means for collecting light from the reaction volume at a collection site on the perimeter of the reaction volume such that light traveling from the launch site to the collection site defines a light path through the reaction volume;
d) a permeable membrane in fluid communication with said reaction volume and in fluid communication with a source of an analyte fluid;
e) reagent means for introducing a reagent fluid into the reaction volume, comprising at least one opening through the perimeter of the reaction volume, and reagent supply means for supplying reagent to the opening; and
f) determination means for determining at least one property of the combination of reagent fluid and analyte fluid in the reaction volume from the launched light and the collected light;
wherein the opening is situated so that reagent flow into the reaction volume impinges on and flows across at least one of the launch site or the collection site.
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Abstract
A new chemical probe determines the properties of an analyte using the light absorption of the products of a reagent/analyte reaction. The probe places a small reaction volume in contact with a large analyte volume. Analyte diffuses into the reaction volume. Reagent is selectively supplied to the reaction volume. The light absorption of the reaction in the reaction volume indicates properties of the original analyte. The probe is suitable for repeated use in remote or hostile environments. It does not require physical sampling of the analyte or result in significant regent contamination of the analyte reservoir.
7 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A chemical probe comprising:
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a) a sensor head defining a reaction volume having a shape with a perimeter; b) launch means for launching light into the reaction volume at a launch site on the perimeter of the reaction volume; c) collection means for collecting light from the reaction volume at a collection site on the perimeter of the reaction volume such that light traveling from the launch site to the collection site defines a light path through the reaction volume; d) a permeable membrane in fluid communication with said reaction volume and in fluid communication with a source of an analyte fluid; e) reagent means for introducing a reagent fluid into the reaction volume, comprising at least one opening through the perimeter of the reaction volume, and reagent supply means for supplying reagent to the opening; and f) determination means for determining at least one property of the combination of reagent fluid and analyte fluid in the reaction volume from the launched light and the collected light; wherein the opening is situated so that reagent flow into the reaction volume impinges on and flows across at least one of the launch site or the collection site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A chemical probe comprising:
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a) a sensor head defining a reaction volume having a shape with a perimeter; b) a sensor head defining a reaction volume having a shape with a perimeter; c) launch means for launching light into the reaction volume at a launch site on the perimeter of the reaction volume; d) collection means for collecting light from the reaction volume at a collection site on the perimeter of the reaction volume such that light traveling from the launch site to the collection site defines a light path through the reaction volume; e) a permeable membrane in fluid communication with said reaction volume and in fluid communication with a source of an analyte fluid; f) reagent means for introducing a reagent fluid into the reaction volume; g) flush means for removing analyte and reagent from the reaction volume, comprising at least one opening through the perimeter of the reaction volume and exhaust means for transporting analyte and reagent from the opening; and h) determination means for determining at least one property of the combination of reagent fluid and analyte fluid in the reaction volume from the launched light and the collected light; wherein the opening is situated so that reagent and analyte are preferentially drawn from the area in front of at least one of the launch site or the collection site. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification