Optical fiber distribution system for an optical fiber sensor in a luminescent sensor system

Claim 1

A distribution system for a sensor that utilizes an analyte-sensitive indicator module to monitor the concentration of an analyte, the sensor having: a temperature stabilized signal generating component for generating a first optical signal of a precise first wavelength, an indicator molecule for producing a second returned optical signal of a precise second wavelength, the first signal wavelength being such that the intensity and temporal behavior of the signal is predictably altered by the indicator molecule so that the wavelength temporal behavior of the returned signal is predictable; a single-fiber sensor tip that includes the indicator molecule; and a signal-measuring compound for receiving signals from the distribution system, the distribution system comprising: a temperature stabilized, signal generating component for generating said first optical signal of a precise first wavelength; a signal detector; a signal separating component for delivering said first optical signal of a precise first wavelength to the sensor, delivering said second returned optical signal of a precise second wavelength to said signal detector, and including signal interference means to separate said first and second signals and minimize cross-talk therebetween; at least one discrete spectral interference microfilter for eliminating side bands of the wavelength of the second returned optical signal from the first optical signal and at least another discrete spectral interference microfilter for eliminating the wavelength of the first optical signal from the second returned optical signal to the signal detector; and a sensor optical fiber for connecting a sensor tip to the signal separating component to transmit said first optical signal to the sensor tip, and to return the resulting indicator signal from the sensor tip to the signal separating component, said signal detector receiving said second returned signal from the signal separating component and transmitting it to the signal-measuring component, the signal output is substantially smaller than the signal input and whereby the intensity of said first signal is maximized such that the intensity of the indicator signal of a wavelength corresponding to the wavelength of the signal received by the signal-measuring component is suitable for monitoring the signal input to the distribution system.

Claim 17

A method to monitor the concentration of an analyte with a sensor that utilizes an analyte-sensitive indicator molecule wherein the signal output of the sensor is substantially smaller than the signal input, the method including the steps of: producing a first optical signal of a precise first wavelength with a temperature stabilized signal generating component; producing a second returned optical signal of a precise second wavelength with an indicator molecule; predictably altering the intensity and temporal behavior of the first signal wavelength with the indicator molecule so that the wavelength and temporal behavior of the returned signal is predictable; providing a single-fiber sensor tip that includes the indicator molecule; and receiving signals from the distribution system with a signal-measuring component, the method further including the steps of: generating said first optical signal of a precise first wavelength with a temperature stabilized signal generating component; providing a signal detector; delivering said first optical signal of a precise first wavelength to the sensor with a signal separating component, delivering said second returned optical signal of a precise second wavelength to said signal detector, and separating said first and second signals with signal interference means to minimize cross-talk therebetween; eliminating side bands of the wavelength of the second returned optical signal from the first optical signal with at least one discrete spectral interference microfilter and eliminating the wavelength of the first optical signal from the second returned optical signal to the signal detector with at least another discrete spectral interference microfilter; connecting a sensor tip to the signal separating component by a sensor optical fiber to transmit said first optical signal to the sensor tip, and returning the resulting indicator signal from the sensor tip to the signal separating component; and receiving said second returned signal from said signal separating component and transmitting it to the signal-measuring component with said signal detector, maximizing the intensity of said first signal of a precise first wavelength such that the intensity of the indicator signal of a wavelength corresponding to the wavelength of the signal received by the signal-measuring component is suitable for monitoring signal input to the distribution system.

Claim 18

A method to monitor the concentration of an analyte with a sensor that utilizes an analyte-sensitive indicator molecule wherein the signal output of the sensor is substantially smaller than the signal input, the method including the steps of: producing a first optical signal of a precise first wavelength with a temperature stabilized signal generating component; producing a second returned optical signal of a precise second wavelength with an indicator molecule; predictably altering the intensity and temporal behavior of the first signal wavelength with the indicator molecule so that the wavelength and temporal behavior of the returned signal is predictable; providing a single-fiber sensor tip that includes the indicator molecule; and receiving signals from the distribution system with a signal-measuring component, the method further including the steps of: generating said first optical signal of a precise first wavelength with a temperature stabilized signal generating component; providing a signal detector; delivering said first optical signal of a precise first wavelength to the sensor with a signal separating component, delivering said second returned optical signal of a precise second wavelength to said signal detector, and separating said first and second signals with signal interference means to minimize cross-talk therebetween; eliminating side bands of the wavelength of the second returned optical signal from the first optical signal with at least one discrete spectral interference microfilter and eliminating the wavelength of the first optical signal from the second returned optical signal to the signal detector with at least another discrete spectral interference microfilter; connecting a sensor tip to the signal separating component by a sensor optical fiber to transmit said first optical signal to the sensor tip, and returning the resulting indicator signal from the sensor tip to the signal separating component; and receiving said second returned signal from said signal separating component and transmitting it to the signal-measuring component with said signal detector, maximizing the intensity of said first signal of a precise first wavelength such that the intensity of the indicator signal of a wavelength corresponding to the wavelength of the signal received by the signal-measuring component is suitable for monitoring signal input to the distribution system.