US5212099A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for optically measuring concentration of an analyte
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1991-01-18
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Granted: 1993-05-18
•
Expires: 2011-01-18
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method in which a beam of radiant energy (16) is passed into a medium at a wavelength selected to cause a response of an analyte in the medium or of a sensor (10,14) exposed to the medium, the sensor comprising a reagent whose optical properties change in response to the presence of the analyte in the medium. A perturbing pulse of energy (22) is passed into the medium to alter the response of the analyte or reagent to the beam of radiation; and the time rates of change in the intensity of the transmitted radiant energy are measured (18,24,26,28) while the intensity is changing due to the perturbing pulse, after each such perturbing pulse starts or ends or both, such rates of change being proportional to the concentration of the analyte in the medium. Both the beam of radiant energy and the perturbing pulse may be passed through optic fibers into the medium or sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A. Marcus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/64; G01N21/645; G01N21/648; G01N21/17; G01N21/1717; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N21/7703; G01N2021/1725; G01N2021/7706; G01N2021/772; G01N2021/773; G01N2021/7769; G01N2021/7786; G01N2201/00; G01N2201/12; G01N2201/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a medium, comprising the steps of: directing a beam of radiant energy along an optical path into said medium at a wavelength selected to cause a response of said analyte; periodically directing a perturbing pulse of energy into said medium to alter in a controlled manner the concentration of said analyte along said path and thereby the response of said analyte to said beam of radiant energy; detecting the response of said analyte to said beam of radiant energy while the response is changing due to the influence of the perturbing pulse, after the perturbing pulse starts or ends or both; determining the time rate of change of said response; and correlating said time rate of change to the concentration of said analyte.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a medium, comprising the steps of: directing a beam of radiant energy along an optical path into said medium at a wavelength selected to cause a response of said analyte; periodically directing a perturbing pulse of energy into said medium to alter in a controlled manner the concentration of said analyte along said path and thereby the response of said analyte to said beam of radiant energy; detecting the response of said analyte to said beam of radiant energy while the response is changing due to the influence of the perturbing pulse, after the perturbing pulse starts or ends or both; determining the time rate of change of said response; and correlating said time rate of change to the concentration of said analyte.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said medium is a fluid and said analyte responds to said beam of radiant energy by fluorescing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said medium is a fluid and said analyte responds to said beam of radiant energy by absorbing at least a portion of said radiant energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said medium is a fluid and said analyte responds to said beam of radiant energy by scattering at least a portion of said radiant energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said medium is a fluid and said analyte responds to said beam of radiant energy by reflecting at least a portion of said radiant energy.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
24 words
A method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said response is a change in the intensity of radiation leaving said medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises acoustic energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises energy from an electrical field.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises energy from a magnetic field.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises ultraviolet, visible or infrared radiant energy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises microwave energy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises heat energy.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a medium, comprising the steps of: providing a reagent whose optical properties change in response to the concentrations of said analyte; exposing said reagent to said analyte in said medium; directing a beam of radiant energy along an optical path into said reagent at a wavelength selected to affect said beam of radiant energy as a function of the concentration of said analyte; periodically directing a perturbing pulse of energy into said reagent to alter in a controlled manner both the concentration of said analyte along said path and the optical spectral characteristics of said reagents as a function of the concentration of said analyte; detecting the effect of said reagent on said beam of radiant energy while the response is changing due to the influence of the perturbing pulse, after the perturbing pulse starts or ends or both; determining the time rate of change of said effect; and correlating said time rate of change to the concentration of said analyte.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a medium, comprising the steps of: providing a reagent whose optical properties change in response to the concentrations of said analyte; exposing said reagent to said analyte in said medium; directing a beam of radiant energy along an optical path into said reagent at a wavelength selected to affect said beam of radiant energy as a function of the concentration of said analyte; periodically directing a perturbing pulse of energy into said reagent to alter in a controlled manner both the concentration of said analyte along said path and the optical spectral characteristics of said reagents as a function of the concentration of said analyte; detecting the effect of said reagent on said beam of radiant energy while the response is changing due to the influence of the perturbing pulse, after the perturbing pulse starts or ends or both; determining the time rate of change of said effect; and correlating said time rate of change to the concentration of said analyte.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said optical property of said reagent is fluorescence.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said optical property of said reagent is absorbance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said optical property of said reagent is its ability to scatter at least a portion of said radiant energy.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said optical property of said reagent is its ability to reflect at least a portion of said radiant energy.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
24 words
A method according to one of claims 13 to 17, wherein said effect is a change in the intensity of radiation leaving said medium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises acoustic energy.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises energy from an electrical field.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises energy from a magnetic field.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises ultraviolet , visible or infrared radiant energy.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises microwave energy.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises heat energy.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a medium, comprising: means for directing a beam of radiant energy along an optical path into said medium at a first wavelength selected to cause a response of said analyte; means for periodically directing a perturbing pulse of energy into said medium and for altering in a controlled manner the concentration of said analyte along said path and thereby the response of said analyte to said beam of radiant energy; means for detecting the time rate of change of the intensity of radiation leaving said medium as the response of said analyte to said beam of radiant energy while the response is changing due to the influence of the perturbing pulse, after the perturbing pulse starts or ends or both; and means for correlating said time rate of change to the concentration of said analyte.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a medium, comprising: means for directing a beam of radiant energy along an optical path into said medium at a first wavelength selected to cause a response of said analyte; means for periodically directing a perturbing pulse of energy into said medium and for altering in a controlled manner the concentration of said analyte along said path and thereby the response of said analyte to said beam of radiant energy; means for detecting the time rate of change of the intensity of radiation leaving said medium as the response of said analyte to said beam of radiant energy while the response is changing due to the influence of the perturbing pulse, after the perturbing pulse starts or ends or both; and means for correlating said time rate of change to the concentration of said analyte.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said medium is a fluid and said analyte responds to said beam of radiant energy by fluorescing.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said medium is a fluid and said analyte responds to said beam of radiant energy by absorbing at least a portion of said radiant energy.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said medium is a fluid and said analyte responds to said beam of radiant energy by scattering at least a portion of said radiant energy.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said medium is a fluid and said analyte responds to said beam of radiant energy by reflecting at least a portion of said radiant energy.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises acoustic energy.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises energy from an electrical field.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises energy from a magnetic field.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises ultraviolet, visible or infrared radiant energy.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises microwave energy.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises heat energy.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said medium is a waveguide.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said means for directing a beam comprises a continuous source of radiant energy and an optic fiber for receiving radiant energy from said continuous source at one end and emitting radiant energy from said continuous source into said medium at the other end.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said means for directing a perturbing pulse comprises an intermittent source of radiant energy and means for coupling radiation from said intermittent source into said optic fiber.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said means for directing a perturbing pulse comprises an intermittent source of radiant energy and an optic fiber for receiving said pulse at one end and emitting said pulse onto said medium at the other end.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
185 words
Apparatus for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a medium, comprising: a sensor element including a reagent whose optical properties change in response to the concentration of said analyte; means for exposing said reagent to said analyte in said medium; means for directing a beam of radiant energy along an optical path into said reagent at a wavelength selected to affect said beam of radiant energy as a function of the concentration of said analyte; means for periodically directing a perturbing pulse of energy into said reagent and for altering in a controlled manner both concentration of said analyte along said path and the optical spectral characteristics of said reagent as a function of the concentration of said analyte; means for detecting the time rate of change of the intensity of radiation leaving said reagent as the effect of said reagent on said beam of radiant energy while said effect is changing due to the influence of the perturbing pulse, after the perturbing pulse starts or ends or both; and means for correlating said time rate of change to the concentration of said analyte.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
185 words
Apparatus for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a medium, comprising: a sensor element including a reagent whose optical properties change in response to the concentration of said analyte; means for exposing said reagent to said analyte in said medium; means for directing a beam of radiant energy along an optical path into said reagent at a wavelength selected to affect said beam of radiant energy as a function of the concentration of said analyte; means for periodically directing a perturbing pulse of energy into said reagent and for altering in a controlled manner both concentration of said analyte along said path and the optical spectral characteristics of said reagent as a function of the concentration of said analyte; means for detecting the time rate of change of the intensity of radiation leaving said reagent as the effect of said reagent on said beam of radiant energy while said effect is changing due to the influence of the perturbing pulse, after the perturbing pulse starts or ends or both; and means for correlating said time rate of change to the concentration of said analyte.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said optical property of said reagent is fluorescence.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said optical property of said reagent is absorbance.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said optical property of said reagent is its ability to scatter at least a portion of said radiant energy.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said optical property of said reagent is its ability to reflect at least a portion of said radiant energy.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said means for directing a perturbing pulse comprises an intermittent source of radiant energy and an optic fiber for receiving said pulse at one end and emitting said pulse into said sensor.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises acoustic energy.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises energy from an electrical field.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises energy from a magnetic field.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises ultraviolet, visible or infrared radiant energy.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises microwave energy.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said perturbing pulse comprises heat energy.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said sensor element comprises waveguide having a coating including said reagent.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said means for directing a beam comprises a continuous source of radiant energy and an optic fiber for receiving radiant energy from said continuous source at one end and emitting radiant energy from said continuous source into said sensor.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said means for directing a perturbing pulse comprises an intermittent source of radiant energy and means for coupling radiation from said intermittent source into said optic fiber.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said sensor element comprises a portion of said optic fiber and said reagent is comprised in a reflective coating on the tip of said optic fiber.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said sensor element comprises a portion of said optic fiber and said reagent is comprised in a coating surrounding at least a portion of said optic fiber.
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