US5517313A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluorescent optical sensor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-02-21
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Granted: 1996-05-14
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Expires: 2015-02-21
Abstract
Abstract A fluorescence sensor for detecting the presence and amount of an analyte. The fluorescence sensor has a photodetector, a high pass filter located adjacent the photodetector, and a glass layer located adjacent the high pass filter. An indicator layer is located adjacent the glass layer and a light emitting diode is embedded in the indicator layer. The indicator layer has indicator molecules that provide a fluorescent emission as a result of light from the light emitting diode. The indicator layer also allows an analyte to diffuse into it and the presence of the analyte reduces the amount of light emitted from the indicator molecules that passes through the glass layer and the high pass filter and is incident upon the photodetector. Since the amount of current from the photodetector depends upon the incident light, this is used to detect the presence and amount of the analyte. In one embodiment a waveguide is also present.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur E. Colvin, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/64; G01N21/6428; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N2021/7769; G01N2021/7786
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A fluorescence sensor for sensing an analyte comprising: photodetector means for generating an electric signal as a result of being exposed to incident light; indicator means for providing a fluorescent emission as a result of excitation light, said indicator means comprising a material permitting said analyte to diffuse therein and having light emitting indicator molecules specific to said analyte to cause said indicator molecules to interact with said analyte to alter the amount of light incident upon said photodetector means from light emitted from said indicator molecules; light emitting means for emitting excitation light having at least a portion thereof located within said indicator means; said photodetector means having a primary axis of light detection and said light emitting means having a primary axis of light emission, said photodetector means and said light emitting means being located to cause the primary axis of light emission from said light emitting means to be substantially perpendicular to the primary axis of light detection of said photodetector means; said photodetector means, said indicator means and said light emitting means being located in one unitary structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A fluorescence sensor for sensing an analyte comprising: photodetector means for generating an electric signal as a result of being exposed to incident light; indicator means for providing a fluorescent emission as a result of excitation light, said indicator means comprising a material permitting said analyte to diffuse therein and having light emitting indicator molecules specific to said analyte to cause said indicator molecules to interact with said analyte to alter the amount of light incident upon said photodetector means from light emitted from said indicator molecules; light emitting means for emitting excitation light having at least a portion thereof located within said indicator means; said photodetector means having a primary axis of light detection and said light emitting means having a primary axis of light emission, said photodetector means and said light emitting means being located to cause the primary axis of light emission from said light emitting means to be substantially perpendicular to the primary axis of light detection of said photodetector means; said photodetector means, said indicator means and said light emitting means being located in one unitary structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 1 further comprising filtering means for filtering light located between said indicator means and said photodetector means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 2 wherein said filtering means comprises a high pass filter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 2 wherein said filtering means filters out light above or below a certain wavelength.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 2 further comprising second filtering means for filtering light surrounding a portion of said light emitting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 1 wherein said light emitting means comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 1 wherein said photodetector means has an electric signal output and further comprising measuring means connected to said photodetector means for measuring the electric signal output from said photodetector means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 1 further comprising a housing surrounding at least a portion of said photodetector means, said indicator means and said light emitting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 1 further comprising a glass layer located adjacent to said indicator means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 1 wherein said indicator means comprises a substantially flat indicator membrane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 1 wherein the light emitting indicator molecules of said indicator means interact with oxygen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
194 words
A fluorescence sensor for sensing an analyte comprising: photodetector means for generating an electric signal as a result of being exposed to incident light; indicator means for providing a fluorescent emission as a result of excitation light, said indicator means comprising a material permitting said analyte to diffuse therein and having light emitting indicator molecules specific to said analyte to cause said indicator molecules to interact with said analyte to alter the amount of light incident upon said photodetector means from light emitted from said indicator molecules; a waveguide layer located adjacent to said indicator means; light emitting means for emitting excitation light having at least a portion thereof surrounded by said waveguide layer; said photodetector means having a primary axis of light detection and said light emitting means having a primary axis of light emission, said photodetector means and said light emitting means being located to cause the primary axis of light emission from said light emitting means to be substantially perpendicular to the primary axis of light detection of said photodetector means; said photodetector means, said indicator means, said waveguide layer and said light emitting means being located in one unitary structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
194 words
A fluorescence sensor for sensing an analyte comprising: photodetector means for generating an electric signal as a result of being exposed to incident light; indicator means for providing a fluorescent emission as a result of excitation light, said indicator means comprising a material permitting said analyte to diffuse therein and having light emitting indicator molecules specific to said analyte to cause said indicator molecules to interact with said analyte to alter the amount of light incident upon said photodetector means from light emitted from said indicator molecules; a waveguide layer located adjacent to said indicator means; light emitting means for emitting excitation light having at least a portion thereof surrounded by said waveguide layer; said photodetector means having a primary axis of light detection and said light emitting means having a primary axis of light emission, said photodetector means and said light emitting means being located to cause the primary axis of light emission from said light emitting means to be substantially perpendicular to the primary axis of light detection of said photodetector means; said photodetector means, said indicator means, said waveguide layer and said light emitting means being located in one unitary structure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 12 further comprising filtering means for filtering light located between said said waveguide layer and said photodetector means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 13 wherein said filtering means comprises a high pass filter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 13 further comprising second filtering means for filtering light surrounding a portion of said light emitting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 12 wherein said light emitting means comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 12 wherein said photodetector means has an electric signal output and further comprising measuring means connected to said photodetector means for measuring the electric signal output from said photodetector means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 12 further comprising a housing surrounding at least a portion of said photodetector means, said indicator means and said waveguide layer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fluorescence sensor of claim 12 further comprising a glass layer located adjacent to said waveguide layer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-05-14 | 1999-11-13 | 2000-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-14 | 2003-11-13 | 2004-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-14 | 2007-11-13 | 2008-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |