Sampling end for fiber optic probe

• US 6,879,741 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2002
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C Technologies Inc. (Repligen Corporation)
• Original Assignee: C Technologies Inc. (Repligen Corporation)
• Inventors: Harrison, Craig D., Nir, Ishai, DeWaal, Hans, Vieira, Mario, Salerno, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Palmer, Phan T. H.
• Application Number:
  US10/287,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20040086215A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 385/12, 385/13, 385115-121, 356/301, 356/402, 356/436, 250/458.1, 250/574, 600/344, 600/476
• US Class Current: 385/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/8528 Immerged light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8507 Probe photometers, i.e. with optical measuring part dipped into fluid sample

Abstract

A fiber optic probe device having a sampling end positionable over optical fibers is provided. The sleeve could be releasably attached to the fiber optic probe device. The sampling end can be discarded after use, or re-used. A sample chamber including a reflective surface can be formed at the distal end of the sampling end.

Claims

1. A fiber optic probe apparatus comprising:

an analyzer;

a handle;

one or more optical fibers extending from the analyzer and the handle;

a sampling end positionable over the one or more optical fibers, the sampling end including an open end for receiving the one or more optical fibers and a closed end, the closed end including an optical window; and

means at the proximal end of the sampling end for releasable attachment to the handle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sampling end further comprises a sample chamber at the closed end.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the sample chamber comprises a reflective surface in facing relation to the optical window.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the reflective surface is maintained in facing relation to the optical window by one or more support members.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a membrane filter which physically or chemically filters the sample entering the sample chamber.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the reflective surface is moveable with respect to the closed end of the sampling end to vary the pathlength of the sample chamber.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the support members telescope along the distal end of the sampling end to vary the position of the reflective surface with respect to the closed end of the sampling end.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a storage chamber is formed in the space between the reflective surface and to the closed end of the sampling end when the reflective surface is retracted.

9. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the reflective surface comprises a reflective coating on a substrate.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the reflective coating comprises aluminum.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the reflective coating comprises gold.

12. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the support members include slots for receiving the reflective surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the reflective surface is fixed within the slots.

14. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a sensor at the distal end of the sample chamber.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising an electrical lead connecting the sensor to the analyzer.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the electrical lead is embedded in the sampling end along the length of the sampling end.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising means for orienting the sampling end with respect to the handle for electrically communicating the electrical lead and the handle.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the electrical lead extends within a capillary tube attached to the sampling end.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the electrical lead extends from the sampling end to the handle and then to the analyzer.

20. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the sample chamber is formed of a unitary construction with the sampling end.

21. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a filter applied to the optical window.

22. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the sample chamber is fused to the sampling end.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sampling end is placed into contact with a surface for taking a sample.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the surface comprises a sample chamber.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the sampling end is attachable to the sample chamber.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein one or more clips attach the sampling end to the sample chamber.

27. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the surface comprises a capillary sample holder.

28. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sampling end is incorporated in a vessel and the one or more optical fibers are inserted therein.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 where in the sampling end is incorporated into a pipe.

30. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein two sampling ends are incorporated into a pipe in facing relation.

31. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein two sampling ends are incorporated into a pipe with an angle formed between the sampling ends.

32. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a return fiber extends from the closed end of the sampling end in U-shape to face back to the closed end of the sampling end.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein two optical fibers are inserted into the sampling end, one aligning with the return fiber extending from the closed end and the other aligning with the end of the return fiber facing back to the closed end.

34. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the device includes an orientation means for orienting the sampling end with the optical fibers to align the optical fibers with the return fiber.

35. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein a shield is positioned about the return fiber to provide protection.

36. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a capillary extending from the closed end.

37. A The apparatus of claim 36 wherein a reactant is included within the capillary.

38. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a chemical composition on the exterior of the optical window for chemical interaction with a solution under test.

39. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein distal ends of the one or more optical fibers bear against the closed end of the sleeve.

40. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sampling end is attachable to the one or more optical fibers.

41. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one or more optical fibers extending from the handle are moveable with respect to the handle and the one or more optical fibers contact the closed end of the sampling end and are biased thereagainst when the sampling end is interconnected with the handle.

42. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means at the proximal end of the sampling end includes a ridge and the handle includes a moveable lever that coacts with the ridge to releasbly attach the sampling end to the handle.

43. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical window is formed integrally with the sampling end.

44. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical window is fused to the sampling end.

45. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a filter applied to the optical window.

46. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an optical component at the closed end.

47. A fiber optic probe apparatus comprising:

a handle;

optical fibers extending from the handle;

a sampling end positionable over the optical fibers and releasably attached to the handle;

a sample chamber at the distal end of the sampling end, the sample chamber including;

upper and lower walls in facing relation;

side walls extending between the upper and lower walls to form a chamber having open ends; and

a reflective coating on the lower wall.

48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the upper wall of the sample chamber comprises an optical window.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 further comprising a filter applied to the upper wall of the sample chamber.

50. The apparatus of claim 48 further comprising a membrane filter over the sample chamber.

51. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the sample chamber is fused to the sampling end.

52. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the sampling end and sampling chamber is of a unitary construction.

53. A fiber optic probe apparatus comprising:

an analyzer;

a handle;

one or more optical fibers extending from the analyzer and the handle; and

a sampling end with a sampling chamber for holding a sample of a solution to be test, the sampling end releasably attachable to the handle.

54. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the optical fibers are positioned against the sample chamber.

55. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the sample chamber comprises a capillary apparatus.

56. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the sampling chamber is releasably attached to the sampling end.

57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the sampling chamber is releasably attached to the sampling chamber by clips.

58. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the sample chamber comprises an optical window at one surface and a reflective surface in an opposing relation.

59. A method of using a fiber optic probe to sample a solution comprising:

providing a fiber optic probe handle with optical fibers extending therefrom;

providing an attachment mechanism on the handle for releasably attaching and detaching a sleeve to the handle;

providing a sleeve having an open upper end and a closed lower end;

attaching the sleeve to the handle, the sleeve covering a distal portion of the optical fibers;

sampling a solution by inserting the sleeve into a solution; and

removing the sleeve from the solution.

60. The method of claim 59 comprising releasing the sleeve from the handle and discarding the sleeve.

61. The method of claim 60 further comprising the step of attaching another sleeve to the handle for additional sampling.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein a plurality of sleeves are arranged on a holder and sleeves can be automatically attached and released from the handle without the need for human intervention.

63. The method of claim 59 further comprising releasing the sleeve from the handle, cleaning the sleeve and reattaching the sleeve to the handle.

64. The method of claim 63 further comprising sterilizing the sleeve.

65. The method of claim 59 further comprising cleaning the sleeve and using the sleeve for additional sampling.

66. A fiber optic probe apparatus comprising:

an analyzer;

one or more optical fibers extending from the analyzer;

a sampling end positionable over the one or more optical fibers, the sampling end including an open end for receiving the one or more optical fibers and a closed end, the closed end including an optical window;

a sample chamber at the closed end of the sampling end;

a sensor at the distal end of the sampling chamber; and

an electrical lead connecting the sensor to the analyzer.

67. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein the electrical lead is embedded in the sampling end along the length of the sampling end.

68. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein the electrical lead extends within a capillary tube attached to the sampling end.

69. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein the sampling end connects to a handle and the electrical lead extends from the sampling end to the handle and then to the processor.

70. The apparatus of claim 66 further comprising means for orienting the sampling end with respect to the handle for electrically communicating the electrical lead and the handle.

71. A sampling end for a fiber optic probe comprising:

a closed end having an optical window;

a sample chamber at the closed end;

an open end for receiving one or more fibers of a fiber optic probe; and

means for releasably attaching the sampling end to a fiber optic probe handle.

72. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein the sample chamber comprises a reflective surface in facing relation to the optical window.

73. The apparatus of claim 72 wherein the reflective surface is maintained in facing relation to the optical window by one or more support members.

74. The apparatus of claim 72 wherein the reflective surface comprises a reflective coating on a substrate.

75. The sampling end of claim 71 wherein the means at the proximal end of the sampling end includes a ridge and the handle includes a moveable lever that coacts with the ridge to releasbly attach the sampling end to the handle.

76. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein the optical window is formed integrally with the sampling end.

77. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein the optical window is fused to the sampling end.

78. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein the sample chamber is formed of a unitary construction with the sampling end.

79. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein the sample chamber is fused to the sampling end.