US5708957A — Optical sensor with radioluminescent light source

Claim 1

Independent Claim 80 words

An optical sensor for detecting a selected substance, comprising: a radioluminescent light source, including: a radioactive constituent, a phosphor constituent energized by radiation from said radioactive constituent to emit light; a sensing matrix absorbing light from said radioluminescent light source to produce an optical characteristic, the optical characteristic changing upon exposure of said sensing matrix to the selected substance; and a photodetector configured to detect the optical characteristic and provide a corresponding signal to indicate detection of the selected substance.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 80 words

An optical sensor for detecting a selected substance, comprising: a radioluminescent light source, including: a radioactive constituent, a phosphor constituent energized by radiation from said radioactive constituent to emit light; a sensing matrix absorbing light from said radioluminescent light source to produce an optical characteristic, the optical characteristic changing upon exposure of said sensing matrix to the selected substance; and a photodetector configured to detect the optical characteristic and provide a corresponding signal to indicate detection of the selected substance.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 23 words

The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein: said radioactive constituent includes a beta particle emitter; and said sensing matrix has a luminophore portion.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 33 words

The optical sensor of claim 2, wherein the selected substance includes O 2 , said phosphor constituent includes ZnS:Ag, said luminophore portion includes a ruthenium complex fluorophore, and the optical characteristic includes fluorescence.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 40 words

The optical sensor of claim 2, wherein the selected substance is pH of a solution, said phosphor constituent includes Y 2 O 2 S:Eu, said luminophore portion includes Merck N9, and the optical characteristic includes color of said sensing matrix.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 41 words

The optical sensor of claim 2, wherein the selected substance is CO 2 , said phosphor constituent includes Y 3 (Al,Ga) 5 O 12 :Ce, said luminophore portion includes m-cresol purple, and the optical characteristic includes color of said sensing matrix.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 38 words

The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein said sensing matrix has a luminophore portion and said luminophore portion includes a compound selected from the group consisting of: Ru(dpp) 3 ; Ru(phen) 3 ; Merck N9; and m-cresol purple.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 41 words

The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein said radioactive constituent includes one of 3 H, 14 C, and 147 Pm and said phosphor constituent includes one of Y 2 O 2 S:Eu, Y 3 (Al,Ga) 5 O 12 :Ce, and ZnS:Ag.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 84 words

An optical sensing system for detecting concentration of a selected substance in a test medium, comprising: a radioluminescent source emitting light; a sensing matrix exposed to the test medium, said sensing matrix absorbing light from said radioluminescent source to produce an optical characteristic, the optical characteristic varying in accordance with concentration of the selected substance in the test medium; and a photodetector configured to detect the optical characteristic and provide a corresponding signal to indicate concentration of the selected substance in the test medium.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 84 words

An optical sensing system for detecting concentration of a selected substance in a test medium, comprising: a radioluminescent source emitting light; a sensing matrix exposed to the test medium, said sensing matrix absorbing light from said radioluminescent source to produce an optical characteristic, the optical characteristic varying in accordance with concentration of the selected substance in the test medium; and a photodetector configured to detect the optical characteristic and provide a corresponding signal to indicate concentration of the selected substance in the test medium.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 33 words

The optical sensing system of claim 8, wherein said radioluminescent source includes: a radioactive material emitting beta particles; and a phosphor material energized by beta particles from said radioactive material to emit light.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 13 words

The optical sensing system of claim 8, wherein said photodetector includes a photodiode.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 14 words

The optical sensing system of claim 8, wherein said photodetector includes a photomultiplier tube.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 26 words

The optical sensing system of claim 8, further comprising an optical filter positioned between said sensing matrix and one of said radioluminescent source and said photodetector.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 43 words

The optical sensing system of claim 8, further comprising a container enclosing said radioluminescent source, said container being positioned to define a test cell between said sensing matrix and said radioluminescent source, and said test cell being configured to receive the test medium.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 87 words

The optical sensing system of claim 13, wherein said photodetector includes a photodiode, said sensing matrix includes a membrane coupled to the photodetector, said membrane has a surface exposed to the test medium, and further comprising: a first light filter positioned between said container and said test cell; a second light filter positioned between said membrane and said photodetector; and a signal processing subsystem electrically coupled to said photodetector, said signal processing subsystem including a display for providing a indication of the substance concentration to an operator.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 122 words

The optical sensing system of claim 8, further comprising: a probe housing said radioluminescent source, said probe having: an outer surface coupled to said sensing matrix, said sensing matrix having a sensing surface configured to contact said test medium, a mirror adjacent said radioluminescent source to reflect electromagnetic radiation emitted therefrom, a body configured to transmit light from said radioluminescent source to said sensing matrix; an optical fiber coupling said probe to said photodetector, said optical fiber and said probe being configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation from said sensing matrix to said photodetector; an optical filter positioned between said photodetector and said radioluminescent source; and a coating covering at least a portion of said sensing surface to prevent intrusion of ambient light.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 99 words

An optical sensor for detecting a selected substance in a test medium, comprising: a radioluminescent source emitting light; a sensing matrix having a fluorophore portion, said sensing matrix being exposed to the test medium, said sensing matrix providing a fluorescent emission in response to absorption of light from said radioluminescent source; and a photodetector detecting a first intensity of the fluorescent emission when the test medium does not include the selected substance and said photodetector detecting a second intensity of the fluorescent emission when the test medium includes the selected substance, said second intensity differing from said first intensity.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 99 words

An optical sensor for detecting a selected substance in a test medium, comprising: a radioluminescent source emitting light; a sensing matrix having a fluorophore portion, said sensing matrix being exposed to the test medium, said sensing matrix providing a fluorescent emission in response to absorption of light from said radioluminescent source; and a photodetector detecting a first intensity of the fluorescent emission when the test medium does not include the selected substance and said photodetector detecting a second intensity of the fluorescent emission when the test medium includes the selected substance, said second intensity differing from said first intensity.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 14 words

The optical sensor of claim 16, wherein said fluorophore portion includes a ruthenium complex.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 14 words

The optical sensor of claim 16, wherein said fluorophore portion includes a PAH compound.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 32 words

The optical sensor of claim 16, wherein said sensing matrix includes one of: Ru(dpp) 3 in a polystyrene membrane; Ru(dpp) 3 in a sol-gel membrane; and Ru(phen) 3 in a silicone membrane.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 32 words

The optical sensor of claim 16, wherein said radioluminescent source includes: a radioactive constituent emitting beta particles; and a phosphor constituent emitting light in response to beta particles from said radioactive constituent.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 47 words

The sensor of claim 16, further comprising: a container for enclosing said radioluminescent source and being configured to transmit light from said radioluminescent source to said sensing matrix; and a coupling means for positioning said sensing matrix relative to said container, said photodetector, and the test medium.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 24 words

The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein said sensing matrix is spaced apart from said radioluminescent light source to define a test cell therebetween.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 31 words

The optical sensor of claim 8, wherein said sensing matrix includes a film containing a fluorophore configured to detect oxygen, and said film is spatially separated from said radioluminescent light source.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 28 words

The optical sensor of claim 16, wherein said sensing matrix includes a film with said fluorophore portion, and said film is spatially separated from said radioluminescent light source.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 92 words

An optical sensing system for detecting a selected substance, comprising: a radioluminescent light source, including: a radioactive constituent, a phosphor constituent energized by radiation from said radioactive constituent to emit light; a sensing matrix absorbing light from said radioluminescent light source, said sensing matrix being defined separately from said radioluminescent light source to produce an optical characteristic, said optical characteristic changing upon exposure of said sensing matrix to the selected substance; and a photodetector configured to detect the optical characteristic and provide a corresponding signal to indicate detection of the selected substance.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 92 words

An optical sensing system for detecting a selected substance, comprising: a radioluminescent light source, including: a radioactive constituent, a phosphor constituent energized by radiation from said radioactive constituent to emit light; a sensing matrix absorbing light from said radioluminescent light source, said sensing matrix being defined separately from said radioluminescent light source to produce an optical characteristic, said optical characteristic changing upon exposure of said sensing matrix to the selected substance; and a photodetector configured to detect the optical characteristic and provide a corresponding signal to indicate detection of the selected substance.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 26 words

The system of claim 25, wherein said radioluminescent light source and said sensing matrix are spaced apart from each other to define a test cell therebetween.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 26 words

The system of claim 25, wherein said sensing matrix includes a film containing a luminophore and said film is spaced apart from said radioluminescent light source.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 69 words

The system of claim 25, further comprising a probe housing said radioluminescent source, said probe having: an outer surface coupled to said sensing matrix, said sensing matrix having a sensing surface configured to contact a test medium; and a body configured to transmit light from said radioluminescent source to said sensing matrix, at least a portion of said body being positioned between said sensing matrix and said radioluminescent source.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 28, wherein said probe includes a mirror to reflect electromagnetic radiation emitted from said radioluminescent light source.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 31 words

The system of claim 29, further comprising an optical fiber coupling said probe to said photodetector, said probe being configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation from said sensing matrix to said photodetector.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 25, wherein said sensing matrix includes a ruthenium complex configured to detect oxygen.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 25, wherein said radioactive constituent includes at least one of 3 H or 147 Pm.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 25, wherein said phosphor constituent includes at least one of Y 2 O 2 S:Eu, Y 3 (Al,Ga) 5 O 12 :Ce, or ZnS:Ag.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-01-12	2001-07-14	2002-01-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-01-12	2005-07-14	2006-01-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-01-12	2009-07-14	2010-01-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Optical sensor with radioluminescent light source

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