US4599901A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure-sensitive optrode
Assignee: University of California
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Filing: 1984-11-28
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Granted: 1986-07-15
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Expires: 2004-11-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is provided for sensing changes in pressure and for generating optical signals related to said changes in pressure. Light from a fiber optic illuminates a fluorescent composition causing it to fluoresce. The fluorescent composition is caused to more relative to the end of the fiber optic in response to changes in pressure so that the intensity of fluorescent emissions collected by the same fiber optic used for illumination varies monotonically with pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 Tomas B. Hirschfeld
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/268; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/021; A61B5/0215; A61B5/02154; G01K; G01K1/00; G01K1/02; G01K1/024; G01L; G01L11/00; G01L11/02; G01L9/00; G01L9/0033; G01L9/0039; G01L9/0041; G01L9/0076; G01L9/0077; G01L9/0089
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
An apparatus for monitoring changes in pressure of an associated fluid and for generating optical signals related to said changes in pressure, the apparatus comprising: (a) a fiber optic through which an illumination beam from at least one associated light source is transmitted from a first end of the fiber optic to a second end of the fiber optic, the second end of the fiber optic having an end face and a conical region of maximal sensitivity, and the conical region having an apex; (b) a fluorescent composition positioned adjacent to the second end of the fiber optic so that the illumination beam emanating from the second end of the fiber optic impinges on the fluorescent composition causing it to generate fluorescent light; and (c) resilient means operationally associated with the second end of the fiber optic and the associated fluid whose pressure is to be monitored, the resilient means causing the fluorescent composition to move normally to the end face of the second end of the the fiber optic in response to changes in pressure of the associated fluid so that the fiber optic collects and transmits to its first end an amount of fluorescent light related to the pressure of the associated fluid, and the resilient means causing the fluorescent composition to substantially pass through the conical region of maximal sensitivity adjacent to the apex of the conical region in response to changes in pressure of the associated fluid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
241 words
An apparatus for monitoring changes in pressure of an associated fluid and for generating optical signals related to said changes in pressure, the apparatus comprising: (a) a fiber optic through which an illumination beam from at least one associated light source is transmitted from a first end of the fiber optic to a second end of the fiber optic, the second end of the fiber optic having an end face and a conical region of maximal sensitivity, and the conical region having an apex; (b) a fluorescent composition positioned adjacent to the second end of the fiber optic so that the illumination beam emanating from the second end of the fiber optic impinges on the fluorescent composition causing it to generate fluorescent light; and (c) resilient means operationally associated with the second end of the fiber optic and the associated fluid whose pressure is to be monitored, the resilient means causing the fluorescent composition to move normally to the end face of the second end of the the fiber optic in response to changes in pressure of the associated fluid so that the fiber optic collects and transmits to its first end an amount of fluorescent light related to the pressure of the associated fluid, and the resilient means causing the fluorescent composition to substantially pass through the conical region of maximal sensitivity adjacent to the apex of the conical region in response to changes in pressure of the associated fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said resilient means is a bubble of elastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said elastic material is collodion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said resilient means is a bellows.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 4 wnerein said fluorescent composition is a solid material capable of lasing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said solid material is ruby.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said resilient means is a diaphragm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said resilient means is a piston.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
155 words
Tne apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises: (a) a tube with a first end, and second end, and a bore, wherein said second end of said fiber optic is coaxially attached to the first end of the tube such that an air-tight seal is formed between said second end of said fiber optic and the first end of tne tube; and (b) a column of fluid disposed inside the tube, the column having a first surface and a second surface, and the column occluding the bore of the tube such that (1) a bubble of trapped gas is formed adjacent to said second end of said fiber optic, (2) the first surface of the column is adjacent to but not in contact with said second end of said fiber optic, and (3) the second surface of the column is adjacent to and recessed from the second end of the tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said fluid forming said column of fluid is immiscible with said associated fluid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 10 further comprising a plurality of particles suspended in said column of fluid, each of the plurality of particles including said fluorescent composition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said particles are in the form of microencapsulated fluorescent molecules.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said particles are in the form of microspheres.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said fluid of said column of fluid is a fat or a combination of fats.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said fat or said combination of fats is selected from the group consisting of olein, palmitin, and stearin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
Tne apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said second end of said fiber optic and said tube are heparinized.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said second surface of said column of fluid is heparinized.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein said fluorescent composition comprises at least one kind of fluorescent molecule dissolved in said column of fluid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said fluid of said column of fluid is a fat or a combination of fats.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 19 wherein said kinds of fluorescent molecules are selected from the group consisting of vitamin A, vitamin E, tetracycline, pyrene, rubrene, N-phenylnaphthylamine, 1,6-phenylhexatriene, 6-phenylhexatriene, anthracene, stilbene, and terphenyl.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 19 wherein said fat or said combination of fats is selected from the group consisting of olein, palmitin, and stearin.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said second end of said fiber optic and said tube are heparinized.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 22 wherein said second surface of said column of fluorescent fluid is heparinized.
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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) | 1989-07-14 | 1990-01-13 | 1990-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-14 | 1994-01-13 | 1994-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-14 | 1998-01-13 | 1998-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |