Energetic atomic and ionic oxygen textured optical surfaces for blood glucose monitoring

• US 7,305,154 B1
• Filed: 07/10/2006
• Issued: 12/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration
• Inventors: Banks, Bruce A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAK, SUNG H
• Application Number:
  US11/483,887
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 385/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7706 Reagent provision
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/772 Tip coated light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/7703 using reagent-clad optical fibres or optical waveguides using measurement of total internal reflection or attenuated total reflection G01N21/552; optical fibres or waveguides per se G02B

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and the resulting product thereof comprising a solid light-conducting fiber with a point of attachment and having a textured surface site consisting a textured distal end prepared by being placed in a vacuum and then subjected to directed hyperthermal beams comprising oxygen ions or atoms. The textured distal end comprises cones or pillars that are spaced upon from each other by less than 1 micron and are extremely suitable to prevent cellular components of blood from entering the valleys between the cones or pillars so as to effectively separate the cellular components in the blood from interfering with optical sensing of the glucose concentration for diabetic patients.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising a single solid light-conducting fiber having predetermined diameter and textured surface site consisting of a textured distal end prepared by being placed in a vacuum and then subjected to directed hyperthermal beams comprising oxygen ions or atoms, said textured distal end comprising cones separated from each other by an amount which is about 1 micron and said predetermined diameter being in the range from about 1 mm to 2 mm, said separated cones being free of any material therebetween other than said light-conducting fiber.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein said cones have a conical shape.

3. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein said textured distal end comprises cones having a length to width ratio which is greater than one.

4. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein an analyte-responsive reagent is deposited on said fiber at said textured distal end.

5. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein said light-conducting fiber is transparent and is of polymer material except for silicone.