US4842783A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of producing fiber optic chemical sensors incorporating photocrosslinked polymer gels
Assignee: Cordis Corp
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Filing: 1987-09-03
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Granted: 1989-06-27
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Expires: 2007-09-03
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic chemical sensor and the method of making it are provided, such being useful in medical, biological and industrial applications. The sensor includes an optical fiber waveguide having a photocrosslinked polymeric gel at a portion thereof, which gel is crosslinked in place and undergoes substantial volume expansion. A dye is absorbed into the gel, the dye being responsive to different degrees depending on the presence and concentration of any one of particular parameters of a fluid being monitored, such parameters being pH, oxygen concentration, carbon dioxide concentration and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark E. Blaylock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N21/7703; G01N21/17; G01N2021/1738; G01N2021/7706; G01N2021/7723; G01N21/78; G01N21/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for making a fiber optic chemical sensor for monitoring at least one parameter of a fluid, comprising: preparing a photocrosslinkable gel-forming polymer composition including a photopolymer component that crosslinks when subjected to actinic radiation and a solvent within which said photopolymer component is soluble; contacting said photocrosslinkable polymer composition with a portion of an optical fiber waveguide in order that the photocrosslinkable polymer composition adheres to the optical fiber waveguide; subjecting said photocrosslinkable polymer composition to actinic radiation while said composition is adhered to the portion of the optical fiber waveguide to thereby photocrosslink said composition into a photocrosslinked polymeric gel member of said optical fiber; and absorbing a dye component into said photocrosslinked polymeric gel member, said dye component being responsive to a parameter of a fluid to be monitored.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for making a fiber optic chemical sensor for monitoring at least one parameter of a fluid, comprising: preparing a photocrosslinkable gel-forming polymer composition including a photopolymer component that crosslinks when subjected to actinic radiation and a solvent within which said photopolymer component is soluble; contacting said photocrosslinkable polymer composition with a portion of an optical fiber waveguide in order that the photocrosslinkable polymer composition adheres to the optical fiber waveguide; subjecting said photocrosslinkable polymer composition to actinic radiation while said composition is adhered to the portion of the optical fiber waveguide to thereby photocrosslink said composition into a photocrosslinked polymeric gel member of said optical fiber; and absorbing a dye component into said photocrosslinked polymeric gel member, said dye component being responsive to a parameter of a fluid to be monitored.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said photopolymer component of the photocrosslinkable polymer composition is a vinyl-type base polymer component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein said base polymer component is of the vinyl aromatic type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein said base polymer component is modified by covalent attachment of moieties selected from the group consisting of vinyl groups, acrylic groups, and combinations thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said photocrosslinked polymeric gel member is expandable in volume.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said photocrosslinkable composition includes vinyl-containing or acrylic-containing monomers or polymers, and said photocrosslinked polymeric gel member is swellable to at least about one thousand times its dry volume.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said photocrosslinkable composition includes a photoinitiator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the photocrosslinked polymeric gel member has electrically charged moieites and wherein said dye component is oppositely charged.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said photocrosslinkable polymer is photocrosslinked in the presence of vinyl-containing or acrylic-containing monomers or polymers having reactive sites in order to control swelling of the resulting gels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1, further including modifying the photocrosslinked polymeric gel member to accomplish secondary modifications selected from the group consisting of introducing reactive sites, chelating sites, complexing sites, and charged sites.
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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) | 1992-06-26 | 1992-12-26 | 1993-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-06-26 | 1996-12-26 | 1997-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-06-26 | 2000-12-26 | 2001-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |