Luminoscopic analytic device and method

Claim 2

An analytic device for reflective luminoscopy comprising within an enclosure: a light source; a pair of spaced light detectors; a refractor body; said refractor body comprising a from surface which forms an entry plane and an exit plane, said entry and exit planes enclosing an angle of less than 180° and not less than 90°, and a rear surface which forms a base plane, said light source and light detectors being positioned adjacent the front surface of said refractor body, a light-collimating means between said light source and said entry plane, a light-collecting means between said light detectors and said exit plane, a first light-reflecting layer positioned adjacent said base plane, a first luminoscopic layer positioned between said base plane and said first light-reflecting layer, said first light-reflecting layer being constructed and positioned so as to reflect only a portion of light emanating from said light source which is passed through said refractor body and said first luminscopic layer, said first luminoscopic layer serving as a reference layer, a second light-reflecting surface constructed and positioned so as to reflect light emanating from said light source which is passed through said refractor body, said first luminoscopic layer, and is not reflect by said first light-reflecting layer, a second luminoscopic layer positioned between said first and second light-reflecting layers, said second luminosopic layer serving as a measuring area for reaction with a species of analytic interest which is in contact with said second luminoscopic layer, wherein light from said first reflecting layer is directed by said refractor body to a first of said light detectors and light from said second reflecting layer is directed by said refractor body to a second of said light detectors.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 wherein said each luminoscopic layer is a transparent membrane containing a colorimetric or fluorometric indicator.

Claim 4

The device of claim 1 wherein said enclosure comprises a chamber for contacting said second luminoscopic layer, or portion thereof, with a species of analytic interest.

Claim 5

The device of claim 1 having inlet and outlet means for continuously or intermittently passing a fluid medium of analytic interest through said device.

Claim 6

The device of claim 4 wherein said fluid medium is a liquid and wherein a separating means is provided to separate a gaseous component from said fluid medium.

Claim 7

The device of claim 1 comprising means for separating a gaseous constituent containing a species of analytic interest from a fluid sample or process stream; and a chamber for contacting said gaseous constituent with a reactive luminoscopic layer; said chamber comprising a mirror and heating means in thermal contact with said mirror so as to prevent condensation thereon.

Claim 8

The device of claim 6 including a heater in thermal connection with said reflector.

Claim 9

An analytic method for reflective luminoscopy comprising the steps of: providing light from a light source; detecting light by a pair of spaced light detectors: refracting light from said light source by a refractor body; said refractor body comprising a front surface which forms an entry plane and an exit plane, said entry and exit planes enclosing an angle of less than 180° and not less than 90°, and a rear surface which forms a base plane, said light source and light detectors being positioned adjacent the front surface of said refractor body, collimating said light by a light-collimating means between said light source and said entry plane, collecting light by a light-collecting means between said light detectors and said exit plane, reflecting light by a first light-reflecting layer positioned adjacent said base plane, providing a first luminoscopic signal by a first luminoscopic layer positioned between said base plane and said first light-reflecting layer, said first light-reflecting layer being constructed and positioned so as to reflect only a portion of light emanating from said light source which is passed through said refractor body and said first luminoscopic layer, said first luminoscopic layer serving as a reference layer, reflecting light by a second light-reflecting surface constructed and positioned so as to reflect light emanating from said light source which is passed through said refractor body, said first luminscopic layer, and is not reflected by said first light-reflecting layer, providing a second luminoscopic signal by a second luminoscopic layer positioned between said first and second light-reflecting layers, said second luminoscopic layer serving as a measuring area for reaction with a species of analytic interest which is in contact with said second luminoscopic layer, wherein light from said first reflecting layer is directed by said refractor body to a first of said light detectors and light from said second reflecting layer is directed by said refractor body to a second of said light detectors.

Claim 10

An analytic method for reflective luminoscopy comprising the steps of: providing light from a light source; detecting light by a pair of spaced light detectors: refracting light from said light source by a refractor body; said refractor body comprising a front surface which forms an entry plane and an exit plane, said entry and exit planes enclosing an angle of less than 180° and not less than 90°, and a rear surface which forms a base plane, said light source and light detectors being positioned adjacent the front surface of said refractor body, collimating said light by a light-collimating means between said light source and said entry plane, collecting light by a light-collecting means between said light detectors and said exit plane, reflecting light by a first light-reflecting layer positioned adjacent said base plane, providing a first luminoscopic signal by a first luminoscopic layer positioned between said base plane and said first light-reflecting layer, said first light-reflecting layer being constructed and positioned so as to reflect only a portion of light emanating from said light source which is passed through said refractor body and said first luminoscopic layer, said first luminoscopic layer serving as a reference layer, reflecting light by a second light-reflecting surface constructed and positioned so as to reflect light emanating from said light source which is passed through said refractor body, said first luminscopic layer, and is not reflected by said first light-reflecting layer, providing a second luminoscopic signal by a second luminoscopic layer positioned between said first and second light-reflecting layers, said second luminoscopic layer serving as a measuring area for reaction with a species of analytic interest which is in contact with said second luminoscopic layer, wherein light from said first reflecting layer is directed by said refractor body to a first of said light detectors and light from said second reflecting layer is directed by said refractor body to a second of said light detectors.