EP0259951A2
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EP
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Luminescent oxygen sensor based on a lanthanide complex
Assignee: CR Bard Inc
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Filing: 1987-07-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-07-08
Abstract
Abstract An oxygen sensor is provided for determination of the partial pressure of oxygen. In one aspect, the invention consists of oxygen-quenchable luminescent lanthanide complexes for an oxygen sensor. The complexes are oxygen-quenchable even though immobilized in a solid matrix, such as a solid polymeric matrix, and preferably are terbium complexes of Schiff base of β-diketone ligands. Certain preferred processes are described for improving the oxygen sensitivity of the lanthanide complexes. In another aspect, the invention consists of a combination measuring and reference analyte sensor containing both quenchable and nonquenchable luminescent material. The materials luminesce at different wavelengths and thus may be transmitted together down a single optical fiber and later descrimininated by means of filters and separately detected. In a third aspect, the invention consists of a low-noise phosphorescent analyte sensor employing a gatable detector. By use of an analyte-quenchable material having a relatively long-lived phosphorescence, a pulsed excitation source, and selectively coupling the detector after the excitation source is off and any short-lived background luminescence has ended, a low-noise output signal consisting of the long-lived phosphorescence is selectively detected and the concentration of the analyte determined therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, all aspects of the invention are combined to produce a miniature in vivo oxygen sensor for use in the narrow blood vessels of the body.
Inventors
- 👤 Bennett L. Hauenstein
- 👤 Raysha Picerno
- 👤 Harry G. Brittain
- 👤 James R. Nestor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/64; G01N21/6428; G01N21/643; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/145; A61B5/1455; A61B5/1459; C; C09; C09K; C09K11/00; C09K11/06; G01N21/6408; G01N2021/641; G01N2021/6432; G01N2021/6434; G01N21/645; G01N2021/6484; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N21/7703; G01N2021/7706; G01N2021/772; G01N2021/7769; G01N2021/7786; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/20; Y10T436/207497
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 92
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for detecting the presence or determining the concentration of oxygen gas in a sample comprising exposing an oxygen-quenchable luminescent lanthanide complex to said sample and to radiation which causes said lanthanide complex to luminesce and detecting a change in the luminescence intensity emitted by said lanthanide complex resulting from said exposure to said oxygen gas.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for detecting the presence or determining the concentration of oxygen gas in a sample comprising exposing an oxygen-quenchable luminescent lanthanide complex to said sample and to radiation which causes said lanthanide complex to luminesce and detecting a change in the luminescence intensity emitted by said lanthanide complex resulting from said exposure to said oxygen gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said lanthanide complex is contained in a solid matrix which is permeable to oxygen gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said matrix comprises a polymeric matrix.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said method is carried out in vivo.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said lanthanide complex is a terbium complex of at least one terbium ion complexed with at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of Schiff base and β-diketone ligands.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said ligand is a Schiff base ligand comprising at least one aldehyde and at least one primary amine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said aldehyde is selected from the group consisting of salicyladehyde and substituted salicylaldehyde.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said primary amine is selected from the group consisting of 1-amino-2-propanol, 1-amino-2-butanol, 2-amino-1-phenyl-2-propanol, 1-amino-2-butanol, 2-amino-1-propylenediamine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said Schiff base ligand is selected from the group consisting of: 1:1 salicylaldehyde : 1-amino-2-propanol; 1:1 salicylaldehyde : 1-amino-2-butanol; 1:1 5-chloro-salicylaldehyde : 1 amino-2-propanol; 1:1 3,5-dichloro-salicylaldehyde : 1-amino-2-propanol; 1:1 salicylaldehyde : 2-amino-1-phenyl-1,2-propanediol; 2:1 salicylaldehyde : ethylenediamine; 2:1 salicylaldehyde : propylenediamine; 1:1 o-vanillin : 1-amino-2-propanol; and 1:1 m-vanillin : 1-amino-2-propanol.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said lanthanide complex is contained in a solid matrix which is permeable to oxygen gas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said method is used for determining the oxygen concentration of the blood.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said ligand is a β-diketone ligand selected from the group consisting of: benzoylacetone; thenoyltrifluoroacetone; trifluoroacetylacetone; and furylbutanedione.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said lanthanide complex is contained in a solid matrix which is premeable to oxygen gas.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said method is used for determining the oxygen concentration of the blood.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said lanthanide complex comprises at least one lanthanide ion complexed with at least one ligand, and said lanthanide complex is prepared by deprotonating said ligand with hydroxide before complexing said ligand and lanthanide ion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said lanthanide complex is prepared by complexing said ligand and lanthanide ion in the presence of hydroxide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said lanthanide complex is further prepared by dissolving the lanthanide complex in an organic solvent, filtering off the nonsoluble impurities which are less oxygen sensitive, and reprecipitating the complex.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein siad lanthanide complex is prepared by complexing said ligand and lanthanide ion in the presence of hydroxide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
An oxygen gas sensor comprising an oxygen-quenchable luminescent terbium complex of at least one terbium ion complexed with at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of Schiff base and β-diketone ligands.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
An oxygen gas sensor comprising an oxygen-quenchable luminescent terbium complex of at least one terbium ion complexed with at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of Schiff base and β-diketone ligands.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sensor of claim 19, wherein said ligand is a Schiff base ligand comprising at least one aldehyde and at least one primary amine.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor of claim 20, wherein said aldehyde is selected from the group consisting of salicylaldehyde and substituted salicylaldehyde.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sensor of claim 21, wherein said primary amine is selected from the group consisting of 1-amino-2-propanol, 1-amino-2-butanol, 2-amino-1-phenyl-1,2-propanediol, ethylenediamine, and propylenediamine.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
60 words
The sensor of claim 22, wherein said Schiff base ligand is selected from the group consisting of: 1:1 salicylaldehyde : 1-amino-2-propanol; 1:1 salicylaldehyde : 1-amino-2-butanol; 1:1 5-chloro-salicylaldehyde : 1 amino-2-propanol; 1:1 3,5-dichloro-salicylaldehyde : 1-amino- 2-propanol; 1:1 3,5-dichloro-salicylaldehyde : 1-amino2-propanol; 1:1 salicylaldehyde : 2-amino-1-phenyl-1,2-propanediol; 2:1 salicylaldehyde : ethylenediamine; 2:1 salicylaldehyde : propylenediamine; 1:1 o-vanillin : 1-amino-2-propanol; and 1:1 m-vanillin : 1-amino-2-propanol.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sensor of claim 23, wherein said lanthanide complex is contained in a solid matrix which is permeable to oxygen gas.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sensor of claim 24, wherein said sensor is adapted for determining the oxygen concentration of the blood.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sensor of claim 19, wherein said ligand is a β-diketone ligand selected from the group consisting of: benzoylacetone; thenoyltrifluoroacetone; trifluoroacetylacetone; and furylbutanedione.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sensor of claim 26, wherein said lanthanide complex is contained in a solid matrix which is permeable to oxygen gas.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sensor of claim 27, wherein said sensor is adapted for determining the oxygen concentration of the blood.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor of claim 19, wherein said terbium complex further comprises hydroxide ligands.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
An oxygen-quenchable luminescent material for an oxygen gas sensor comprising a terbium complex in a solid matrix, said terbium complex emitting an oxygen-quenchable luminescence when excited by an incident energy signal and said solid matrix being permeable to oxygen and substantially transparent to the incident energy signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
47 words
An oxygen-quenchable luminescent material for an oxygen gas sensor comprising a terbium complex in a solid matrix, said terbium complex emitting an oxygen-quenchable luminescence when excited by an incident energy signal and said solid matrix being permeable to oxygen and substantially transparent to the incident energy signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The material of claim 30, wherein said terbium complex comprises at least one terbium ion complexed with at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of Schiff base and B-diketone ligands.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The material of claim 30, wherein said solid matrix comprises a polymeric matrix.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The material of claim 32, wherein said terbium complex is in solid solution in said polymeric matrix.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The material of claim 32, wherein said polymeric matrix is adapted to adhesively bind to an optical fiber.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The material of claim 32, wherein said polymeric matrix is selected from the group consisting of poly(styrene), poly(styrene)/divinylbenzene, poly(methylmethacrylate), silicone, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
11 words
The material of claim 35, wherein said polymeric matrix is poly(methylmethacrylate).
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The material of claim 35, wherein said terbium complex is adsorbed on poly(styrene)/divinylbenzene beads which are dispersed in a silicone elastomer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
45 words
The material of claim 30, further comprising a substantially nonoxygen-quenchable luminescent material in said solid matrix, said nonoxygen-quenchable luminescent material being excitable by the incident energy signal to emit a luminescence in a wavelength range different from the luminescence emitted by said oxygen-quenchable luminescent material.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The material of claim 38, wherein said nonoxygen-quenchable luminescent material is a lanthanide complex.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
The material of claim 39, wherein said nonoxygen-quenchable luminescent material is a europium complex of at least one europium ion complexed with at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of Schiff base and β-diketone ligands.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
The material of claim 38, wherein said solid matrix comprises a polymeric matrix.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The material of claim 41, wherein said polymeric matric is disposed at the distal end of an optical fiber.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
42 words
The material of claim 42, wherein said material is disposed as a bead at the distal end of an optical fiber formed by dipping the fiber tip into a solution of the material in a solvent and allowing the solvent to evaporate.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for measuring the concentration of oxygen gas in a sample comprising: a terbium complex which emits a luminescence when exposed to an incident energy signal in a predetermined wavelength range and which luminescence is quenched by oxygen gas; source means coupled to said luminescent material for generating the incident energy signal to cause said terbium complex to luminesce; and detector means coupled to said terbium complex for detecting the luminescence therefrom.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for measuring the concentration of oxygen gas in a sample comprising: a terbium complex which emits a luminescence when exposed to an incident energy signal in a predetermined wavelength range and which luminescence is quenched by oxygen gas; source means coupled to said luminescent material for generating the incident energy signal to cause said terbium complex to luminesce; and detector means coupled to said terbium complex for detecting the luminescence therefrom.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said terbium complex comprises at least one terbium ion complexed with at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of Schiff base and β-diketone ligands.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising an optical fiber for transmitting the incident energy signal from said source means to said terbium complex and the luminescence from said terbium complex to said detector means.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said optical fiber is disposed in a carrier means for use as an in vivo oxygen sensor.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
60 words
A luminescent sensor for detecting an analyte, said sensor comprising: a first material having a luminescence in a first wavelength range which is quenched by the analyte; and a second material disposed adjacent to said first material having a luminescence in a second wavelength range different from said first wavelength range and which is not substantially quenched by the analyte.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
60 words
A luminescent sensor for detecting an analyte, said sensor comprising: a first material having a luminescence in a first wavelength range which is quenched by the analyte; and a second material disposed adjacent to said first material having a luminescence in a second wavelength range different from said first wavelength range and which is not substantially quenched by the analyte.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sensor of claim 48, wherein said first and second luminescent materials are contained in a solid matrix which is permeable to the analyte.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor of claim 49, wherein said solid matrix is a polymeric matrix.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sensor of claim 50, wherein said first and second luminescent materials are disposed at the distal end of an optical fiber.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
38 words
The sensor of claim 48 adapted for detecting oxygen gas, wherein said first material comprises a luminescent terbium complex that is oxygen quenchable, and said second material comprises a luminescent europium complex that is not substantially oxygen quenchable.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
59 words
The sensor of claim 52, wherein said terbium complex comprises at least one terbium ion complexed with at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of Schiff base and β-diketone ligands, and said europium complex comprises at least one europium ion complexed with at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of Schiff base and β-diketone ligands.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sensor of claim 53, wherein said first and second luminescent materials are contained in a polymeric matrix which is permeable to oxygen.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
11 words
The sensor of claim 54, wherein said polymeric matrix is poly(methylmethacrylate).
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
114 words
An oxygen-quenchable luminescent material for an oxygen gas sensor comprising a lanthanide complex of at least one lanthanide ion which emits a narrow-line luminescence when excited to a predetermined energy state and at least one ligand having an excited ligand energy state from which it transfers energy to said lanthanide ion to cause said ion to luminesce, said excited ligand energy state being substantially equal to said predetermined energy state so that said lanthanide ion and ligand form a resonant pair between which energy is rapidly transferred back and forth such that the presence of oxygen substantially interferes with the transfer of energy between the resonant pair or quenches said excited ligand energy state.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
114 words
An oxygen-quenchable luminescent material for an oxygen gas sensor comprising a lanthanide complex of at least one lanthanide ion which emits a narrow-line luminescence when excited to a predetermined energy state and at least one ligand having an excited ligand energy state from which it transfers energy to said lanthanide ion to cause said ion to luminesce, said excited ligand energy state being substantially equal to said predetermined energy state so that said lanthanide ion and ligand form a resonant pair between which energy is rapidly transferred back and forth such that the presence of oxygen substantially interferes with the transfer of energy between the resonant pair or quenches said excited ligand energy state.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
24 words
The material of claim 56, wherein said predetermined energy state and said excited ligand energy state differ by no more than about 410 cm⁻¹.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
The material of claim 56, wherein said predetermined energy state and said excited ligand energy state differ by no more than about two percent.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
120 words
An oxygen-quenchable luminescent material for an oxygen gas sensor comprising a lanthanide complex in a solid matrix, said lanthanide complex comprising at least one lanthanide ion which emits a narrow-line luminescence when excited to a predetermined energy state and at least one ligand having an excited ligand state from which it transfers energy to said lanthanide ion to cause said ion to luminesce, said excited ligand energy state being substantially equal to said predetermined energy state so that said lanthanide ion of ligand form a resonant pair between which energy is rapidly transferred back and forth such that the presence of oxygen substantially interferes with the transfer of energy between the resonant pair or quenches said excited ligand energy state.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
120 words
An oxygen-quenchable luminescent material for an oxygen gas sensor comprising a lanthanide complex in a solid matrix, said lanthanide complex comprising at least one lanthanide ion which emits a narrow-line luminescence when excited to a predetermined energy state and at least one ligand having an excited ligand state from which it transfers energy to said lanthanide ion to cause said ion to luminesce, said excited ligand energy state being substantially equal to said predetermined energy state so that said lanthanide ion of ligand form a resonant pair between which energy is rapidly transferred back and forth such that the presence of oxygen substantially interferes with the transfer of energy between the resonant pair or quenches said excited ligand energy state.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
13 words
The material of claim 59, wherein said solid matrix is a polymeric matrix.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
17 words
The material of claim 60, wherein said lanthanide complex is in solid solution in said polymeric matrix.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
68 words
An oxygen-quenchable luminescent material for an oxygen gas sensor comprising a lanthanide complex of at least one lanthanide ion which emits a narrow-line luminescence when excited to a predetermined energy state and at least one ligand which is excited by absorbing energy at a wavelength above 300nm to an excited ligand energy state from which it transfers energy to said lanthanide ion to cause said ion to luminesce.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
68 words
An oxygen-quenchable luminescent material for an oxygen gas sensor comprising a lanthanide complex of at least one lanthanide ion which emits a narrow-line luminescence when excited to a predetermined energy state and at least one ligand which is excited by absorbing energy at a wavelength above 300nm to an excited ligand energy state from which it transfers energy to said lanthanide ion to cause said ion to luminesce.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
39 words
An oxygen-quenchable luminescent material comprising a multi-metal ion lanthanide complex having a plurality of lanthanide metal ions and a plurality of ligands wherein at least one of said ligands is complexed with more than one of said lanthanide ions.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
39 words
An oxygen-quenchable luminescent material comprising a multi-metal ion lanthanide complex having a plurality of lanthanide metal ions and a plurality of ligands wherein at least one of said ligands is complexed with more than one of said lanthanide ions.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
20 words
The material of claim 63, wherein said ligands are selected from the group consisting of Schiff base and β-diketone ligands.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
9 words
The material of claim 63, further comprising hydroxide ligands.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
24 words
The material of claim 64, wherein said complex includes terbium ions at least one Schiff base ligand complexed with more than one terbium ion.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
21 words
The material of claim 66, wherein said complex includes at least three terbium ions and at least three Schiff base ligands.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
9 words
The material of claim 67, further comprising hydroxide ligands.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process for improving the oxygen sensitivity of a luminescent lanthanide complex having at least one lanthanide ion complexed with at least one ligand, said process comprising the step of deprotonating said ligand with hydroxide before complexing said ligand and lanthanide ion.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process for improving the oxygen sensitivity of a luminescent lanthanide complex having at least one lanthanide ion complexed with at least one ligand, said process comprising the step of deprotonating said ligand with hydroxide before complexing said ligand and lanthanide ion.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 69, further comprising the step of complexing said ligand and lanthanide ion in the presence of hydroxide.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process for improving the oxygen sensitivity of a luminescent lanthanide complex comprising dissolving the lanthanide complex in an organic solvent, filtering off the nonsoluble impurities which are less oxygen sensitive, and reprecipitating the complex.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process for improving the oxygen sensitivity of a luminescent lanthanide complex comprising dissolving the lanthanide complex in an organic solvent, filtering off the nonsoluble impurities which are less oxygen sensitive, and reprecipitating the complex.
Claim 83
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for detecting an analyte by luminescence quenching, said apparatus comprising: a quenchable phosphorescent material having a relatively long-lived luminescence that is quenched by the analyte, said quenchable material being excited to emit luminescence when exposed to energy in a predetermined wavelength range; source means coupled to said quenchable material for generating an incident pulsed energy signal within said predetermined wavelength range to cause said quenchable material to generate said long-lived luminescence; detector means selectively coupled to said quenchable material for detecting the long-lived luminescence therefrom; and means for selectively coupling and decoupling said detector and said quenchable material so that said detector is coupled only when said source means is off and any short-lived background luminescence generated in the apparatus has substantially ceased so that said detector receives an output luminescent signal composed of substantially only the long-lived luminescence from said quenchable material.
Claim 84
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for detecting an analyte by luminescence quenching, said apparatus comprising: a quenchable phosphorescent material having a relatively long-lived luminescence that is quenched by the analyte, said quenchable material being excited to emit luminescence when exposed to energy in a predetermined wavelength range; source means coupled to said quenchable material for generating an incident pulsed energy signal within said predetermined wavelength range to cause said quenchable material to generate said long-lived luminescence; detector means selectively coupled to said quenchable material for detecting the long-lived luminescence therefrom; and means for selectively coupling and decoupling said detector and said quenchable material so that said detector is coupled only when said source means is off and any short-lived background luminescence generated in the apparatus has substantially ceased so that said detector receives an output luminescent signal composed of substantially only the long-lived luminescence from said quenchable material.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 72, further comprising an optical fiber for coupling said source means and detector means to said quenchable material.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus of claim 73, further comprising a nonquenchable phosphorescent material coupled to said source means and detector means by said optical fiber, said nonquenchable material being excitable to emit a relatively long-lived luminescence by the incident pulsed energy signal which is not substantially quenched by the analyte and which is in a wavelength range different from the wavelength range of the luminescence from said quenchable material, wherein said output luminescent signal is composed of the luminescence from both said quenchable material and said nonquenchable material.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 74 adapted for detecting oxygen gas, wherein said quenchable material comprises an oxygen-quenchable luminescent terbium complex having at least one terbium ion complexed with at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of Schiff base and β-diketone ligands, and said nonquenchable material comprises a nonoxygen-quenchable europium complex having at least one europium ion complexed with at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of Schiff base and β-diketone ligands.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 75, wherein said quenchable and nonquenchable materials are contained in a solid polymeric matrix disposed at the distal end of said optical fiber.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
132 words
A process for detecting an analyte by luminescence quenching, said process comprising the steps of: exposing a quenchable phosphorescent material disposed at one end of an optical fiber to a sample containing an analyte, said phosphorescent material emitting a relatively long-lived luminescence when exposed to energy in a predetermined wavelength range and which luminescence is quenched by the analyte; causing a source means coupled to the other end of said optical fiber to transmit an incident pulsed energy signal within said predetermined wavelength range down said fiber to cause said phosphorescent material to generate said long-lived luminescence; selectively detecting the long-lived luminescence which returns down the fiber from said phosphorescent material when said incident pulsed energy signal has substantially ceased and any short-lived background luminescence generated in the system has substantially ceased.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
132 words
A process for detecting an analyte by luminescence quenching, said process comprising the steps of: exposing a quenchable phosphorescent material disposed at one end of an optical fiber to a sample containing an analyte, said phosphorescent material emitting a relatively long-lived luminescence when exposed to energy in a predetermined wavelength range and which luminescence is quenched by the analyte; causing a source means coupled to the other end of said optical fiber to transmit an incident pulsed energy signal within said predetermined wavelength range down said fiber to cause said phosphorescent material to generate said long-lived luminescence; selectively detecting the long-lived luminescence which returns down the fiber from said phosphorescent material when said incident pulsed energy signal has substantially ceased and any short-lived background luminescence generated in the system has substantially ceased.
Claim 91
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for remote detection of luminescence comprising: an opical fiber; a phosphorescent material disposed at one end of said fiber, said phosphorescent material emitting a relatively long-lived luminescence when exposed to energy in a predetermined wavelength range; source means coupled to the other end of said fiber for transmitting down said fiber an incident pulsed energy signal within said predetermined wavelength range to cause said phosphorescent material to generate said long-lived luminescence; and detector means coupled to said other end of said fiber for selectively detecting the long-lived luminescence which returns down said fiber from said phosphorescent material when said incident pulsed energy signal has substantially ceased and any short-lived background luminescence generated in the apparatus has substantially ceased.
Claim 92
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for remote detection of luminescence comprising: an opical fiber; a phosphorescent material disposed at one end of said fiber, said phosphorescent material emitting a relatively long-lived luminescence when exposed to energy in a predetermined wavelength range; source means coupled to the other end of said fiber for transmitting down said fiber an incident pulsed energy signal within said predetermined wavelength range to cause said phosphorescent material to generate said long-lived luminescence; and detector means coupled to said other end of said fiber for selectively detecting the long-lived luminescence which returns down said fiber from said phosphorescent material when said incident pulsed energy signal has substantially ceased and any short-lived background luminescence generated in the apparatus has substantially ceased.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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