Fiber optic sensors, apparatus, and detection methods using fluid erodible controlled release polymers for delivery of reagent formulations

Claim 1

A fiber optic sensor for performing optical determinations of a plurality of test fluids, said sensor comprising; a housing with a securing means to hold a fiber optic strand, said housing comprising a reservoir chamber of fixed configuration and interior spatial volume comprised of at least one side wall and having at least one open portal accessing said interior spatial volume; at least one polymeric matrix comprising a fluid contact positioned within said interior spatial volume of said reservoir chamber, said polymeric matrix comprising a fluid erodible, continuous release polymer and a sustained release reagent formulation above to react with a molecule of interest in each of the test fluids; a fiber optic strand positioned proximal to said erodible polymeric matrix within said reservoir chamber, said fiber optic strand being able to convey light energy into and out of said interior spatial volume of said reservoir chamber; and a conduit member of fixed dimensions and shape in fluid flow communication with said portal of said reservoir chamber, said conduit member being comprised of at least one side wall, at least one aperture perforating said wall, and a perforated internal volume in flow communication with said interior spatial volume of said reservoir chamber.

Claim 14

A method for making optical determinations of a plurality of test fluids, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining a fiber optic sensor comprised of: a housing with a securing means to hold a fiber optic strand, said housing comprising a reservoir chamber of fixed configuration and interior spatial volume, (ii) at least one polymeric matrix erodible by repetitious fluid contact positioned within said interior spatial volume of said reservoir chamber, said polymeric matrix comprising a fluid erodible continuous release polymer and a sustained release reagent formulation able to react with a molecule of interest in each of the test fluids, (iii) a fiber optic strand positioned proximal to said erodible polymeric matrix within said reservoir chamber, said fiber optic strand being able to convey light energy into and out of said interior spatial volume of said reservoir chamber, and (iv) a conduit member for allowing each of the test fluids into and out of said interior spatial volume of said reservoir chamber wherein said conduit member comprises at least one side wall, at least one aperture perforating said wall, and a perforated internal volume in flow communication with said interior spatial volume of said reservoir chamber; introducing each of the test fluids into said interior spatial volume of said reservoir chamber via said conduit member such that said polymeric matrix partially erodes and continuously releases said reagent formulation for mixture and reaction with said molecule of interest within each of said introduced test fluids; conveying light energy to said fiber optic sensor such that said light energy interacts with each of said reaction mixtures comprised of released reagent formulation and said molecule of interest within said reservoir chamber; and detecting the light energy conveyed by said fiber optic sensor after light interaction with each of said reaction mixtures comprised of released reagent formulation and said molecule of interest.

Claim 15

A method for making optical determinations of a plurality of test fluids, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining a fiber optic sensor comprised of: a housing with a securing means to hold a fiber optic strand, said housing comprising a reservoir chamber of fixed configuration and interior spatial volume, (ii) at least one polymeric matrix erodible by repetitious fluid contact positioned within said interior spatial volume of said reservoir chamber, said polymeric matrix comprising a fluid erodible continuous release polymer and a sustained release reagent formulation able to react with a molecule of interest in each of the test fluids, (iii) a fiber optic strand positioned proximal to said erodible polymeric matrix within said reservoir chamber, said fiber optic strand being able to convey light energy into and out of said interior spatial volume of said reservoir chamber, and (iv) a conduit member for allowing each of the test fluids into and out of said interior spatial volume of said reservoir chamber wherein said conduit member comprises at least one side wall, at least one aperture perforating said wall, and a perforated internal volume in flow communication with said interior spatial volume of said reservoir chamber; introducing each of the test fluids into said interior spatial volume of said reservoir chamber via said conduit member such that said polymeric matrix partially erodes and continuously releases said reagent formulation for mixture and reaction with said molecule of interest within each of said introduced test fluids; conveying light energy to said fiber optic sensor such that said light energy interacts with each of said reaction mixtures comprised of released reagent formulation and said molecule of interest within said reservoir chamber; and detecting the light energy conveyed by said fiber optic sensor after light interaction with each of said reaction mixtures comprised of released reagent formulation and said molecule of interest.