Fluorescence sensing device
First Claim
1. A fluorescence sensing device for determining the presence or concentration of an analyte in a liquid or gaseous medium comprising(a) a fiber optic plate having top and bottom surfaces, said plate comprising fibers having a relatively small numerical aperture, said fibers extending between said top and bottom surfaces of said plate;
- (b) a layer of an analyte permeable fluorescent matrix positioned on the top surface of said fiber optic plate, said fluorescent matrix containing fluorescent indicator molecules whose fluorescence is modulated by the presence of analyte in said fluorescent matrix;
(c) a light source which emits light at a wavelength that excites fluorescence in the indicator molecules;
at least a portion of the light from said light source being directed within the fluorescent matrix in directions generally parallel to the top surface of the fiber optic plate; and
(d) a photodetector on the bottom surface of the fiber optic plate which generates an electrical signal responsive to fluorescent light emitted by said fluorescent indicator molecules and transmitted by said fibers through said fiber optic plate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluorescence sensing device for determining the presence or concentration of an analyte in a liquid or gaseous medium is constructed of a fiber optic plate comprising optical fibers having relatively small numerical apertures. The fiber optic plate is positioned on a photodetector and has a layer of analyte permeable fluorescent matrix or coated waveguide material on its top surface. The fluorescent matrix or waveguide coating contains indicator molecules whose fluorescence is affected by the local presence of analyte. A light source emits light into the fluorescent matrix in a direction generally parallel to the top surface of the fiber optic plate. Upon absorbing light from the light source, indicator molecules in the fluorescent matrix emit fluorescent light which is transmitted through the fiber optic plate to the photodetector.
33 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A fluorescence sensing device for determining the presence or concentration of an analyte in a liquid or gaseous medium comprising
(a) a fiber optic plate having top and bottom surfaces, said plate comprising fibers having a relatively small numerical aperture, said fibers extending between said top and bottom surfaces of said plate; -
(b) a layer of an analyte permeable fluorescent matrix positioned on the top surface of said fiber optic plate, said fluorescent matrix containing fluorescent indicator molecules whose fluorescence is modulated by the presence of analyte in said fluorescent matrix; (c) a light source which emits light at a wavelength that excites fluorescence in the indicator molecules;
at least a portion of the light from said light source being directed within the fluorescent matrix in directions generally parallel to the top surface of the fiber optic plate; and(d) a photodetector on the bottom surface of the fiber optic plate which generates an electrical signal responsive to fluorescent light emitted by said fluorescent indicator molecules and transmitted by said fibers through said fiber optic plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A fluorescence sensing device for determining the presence or concentration of an analyte in a liquid or gaseous medium comprising
(a) a fiber optic plate having top and bottom surfaces, said plate comprising fibers having a relatively small numerical aperture, said fibers extending between said top and bottom surfaces of said plate; -
(b) a layer of waveguide material on the top surface of said fiber optic plate, said waveguide material having on the surface thereof fluorescent indicator molecules whose fluorescence is modulated by the presence of analyte; (c) a light source which emits light at a wavelength that excites fluorescence in the indicator molecules;
at least a portion of the light from said light source being directed within the waveguide, such that it is largely contained within the waveguide and excites fluorescence in the indicator molecules on the surface of the waveguide; and(d) a photodetector on the bottom surface of the fiber optic plate which generates an electrical signal responsive to fluorescent light emitted by said fluorescent indicator molecules and transmitted by said fibers through said fiber optic plate.
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Specification