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US4557900A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Optical sensor with beads

Assignee: Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corp
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Filing: 1982-09-28
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Granted: 1985-12-10
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Expires: 2002-09-28
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Abstract

Abstract An optical sensor comprising a selectively permeable matrix of hydrophobic material and a plurality of hydrophilic beads dispersed in the matrix. At least some of the beads carry an optical indicator. The matrix is capable of transmitting light at least at selected wavelengths from outside the matrix to the beads.

Inventors

  • 👤 Harold A. Heitzmann

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 06:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/64; G01N21/6428; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/483; G01N33/487; G01N33/49; G01N33/4925; G01N2021/6434; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N2021/7769; G01N2021/7786

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 112 words
An optical sensor comprising: a matrix of hydrophobic material, said matrix being permeable to at least a selected gas in a liquid and substantially impermeable to the liquid; a plurality of particles of hydrophilic material dispersed in said matrix, at least some of said particles carrying an optical indicator in solution which is capable of responding to said selected gas; and said matrix being capable of transmitting light at least at selected wavelengths from outside said matrix to said particle, and said matrix isolating the particles from the liquid so that the optical indicator can respond to said light and provide an optical signal related to partial pressure of said selected gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 112 words
An optical sensor comprising: a matrix of hydrophobic material, said matrix being permeable to at least a selected gas in a liquid and substantially impermeable to the liquid; a plurality of particles of hydrophilic material dispersed in said matrix, at least some of said particles carrying an optical indicator in solution which is capable of responding to said selected gas; and said matrix being capable of transmitting light at least at selected wavelengths from outside said matrix to said particle, and said matrix isolating the particles from the liquid so that the optical indicator can respond to said light and provide an optical signal related to partial pressure of said selected gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 59 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said particles which carries said indicator has an outer surface and interior voids opening at said outer surface, and at least some of said indicator is carried in said voids of said particles, said particles which carry said indicator are capable of transmitting light at said selected wavelengths.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 30 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 1 wherein substantially all of said particles are completely enclosed within said matrix and are not exposed at the surface of said matrix.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 14 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic material is polyacrylamide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 1 wherein said matrix is arranged in a thin membrane-like layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 14 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 1 wherein said hydrophobic material is silicone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 1 wherein said particles which carry the indicator are substantially spherical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 26 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 1 wherein the largest cross-sectional dimension of any of said particles is less than the thickness of said matrix.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 18 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 1 wherein said particles are substantially evenly dispersed throughout said matrix.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 71 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 1 wherein said selected gas is carbon dioxide and said matrix is also permeable to oxygen and the optical indicator carried by a first group of said particles is capable of responding to carbon dioxide and the optical indicator carried by a second group of said particles is capable of responding to oxygen whereby the optical sensor responds to both oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 42 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 1 wherein said matrix is constructed of silicone, said particles are constructed of polyacrylamide, said optical indicator is a fluorescent optical indicator, and said matrix and said particles are arranged in a thin membrane-like layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 15 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 1 wherein said solution is an aqueous solution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 27 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 12 wherein said aqueous solution includes a catalyst to hasten the response of the optical indicator to said selected gas.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 117 words
An optical sensor comprising: a selectively permeable matrix of hydrophobic material, said matrix being permeable to at least a selected gas and substantially impermeable to water; a plurality of particles of hydrophilic material dispersed in said matrix, at least some of hydrophilic particles carrying an optical fluorescent indicator in solution, said indicator being capable of responding to the selected gas that permeates the matrix substantially all of said particles being completely enclosed by said matrix; and said matrix being capable of transmitting light at least at selected wavelengths whereby the fluorescent indicator can provide a fluorescent optical signal related to a characteristic of the selected gas and the optical signal can be transmitted out of the matrix.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 117 words
An optical sensor comprising: a selectively permeable matrix of hydrophobic material, said matrix being permeable to at least a selected gas and substantially impermeable to water; a plurality of particles of hydrophilic material dispersed in said matrix, at least some of hydrophilic particles carrying an optical fluorescent indicator in solution, said indicator being capable of responding to the selected gas that permeates the matrix substantially all of said particles being completely enclosed by said matrix; and said matrix being capable of transmitting light at least at selected wavelengths whereby the fluorescent indicator can provide a fluorescent optical signal related to a characteristic of the selected gas and the optical signal can be transmitted out of the matrix.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 28 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 14 wherein said hydrophilic material is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamide, cross-linked dextran, agarose, poly(hydroxyalkyl methacrylate), and porous glass.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 44 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 14 wherein each of said particles which carries said indicator has an outer surface and interior voids opening at said outer surface, and at least some of said indicator is carried in said voids of said particles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 14 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 16 wherein said hydrophobic material is silicone.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 15 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 17 wherein said solution is an aqueous solution.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 18 words
An optical sensor as defined in claim 18 wherein said particles are substantially evenly dispersed throughout said matrix.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 147 words
An apparatus for measuring the partial pressure of at least one gas within a liquid, said apparatus comprising: a membrane of hydrophobic material, said membrane being permeable to at least one gas and substantially impermeable to a liquid, said membrane being adapted to be positioned in contact with said liquid; a plurality of hydrophilic particles dispersed in said membrane, at least some of said particles carrying an optical indicator in solution which is capable of responding to said at least one gas, said matrix isolating the particles from the liquid; means for directing light toward said membrane; said membrane being capable of transmitting at least some of such light to said particles whereby the optical indicator can respond to said light and provide an optical signal related to partial pressure of said at least one gas; and means for transmitting said optical signal away from said membrane.
Claim 23
Independent Claim 147 words
An apparatus for measuring the partial pressure of at least one gas within a liquid, said apparatus comprising: a membrane of hydrophobic material, said membrane being permeable to at least one gas and substantially impermeable to a liquid, said membrane being adapted to be positioned in contact with said liquid; a plurality of hydrophilic particles dispersed in said membrane, at least some of said particles carrying an optical indicator in solution which is capable of responding to said at least one gas, said matrix isolating the particles from the liquid; means for directing light toward said membrane; said membrane being capable of transmitting at least some of such light to said particles whereby the optical indicator can respond to said light and provide an optical signal related to partial pressure of said at least one gas; and means for transmitting said optical signal away from said membrane.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 40 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 20 including a wall with a recess therein, said membrane being in said recess, and said wall being capable of transmitting at least some of the light from the directing means to the membrane.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1988-12-09 1989-06-10 1989-12-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1992-12-09 1993-06-10 1993-12-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1996-12-09 1997-06-10 1997-12-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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