# US 10,119,902 B2 · Method and apparatus for determining concentration using polarized light > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,119,902 B2 - Document ID: US10119902B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/685,636 - Filed: 2017-08-24 - Published: 2017-12-07 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2006-11-07 - Assignees: DEKA Products Limited Partnership - Applicants: DEKA Products Limited Partnership - Inventors: Jacob W. Scarpaci - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10119902B2 ## CPC - G01N 21/21: Polarisation-affecting properties (G01N21/19 takes precedence) - G01N 2201/0683: Brewster plate; polarisation controlling elements - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract An apparatus and method for determining the concentration of chiral molecules in a fluid includes a first polarizer configure to polarize light in substantially a first plane to provide initially polarized light. A second polarizer is capable of polarizing the initially polarized light in a plurality of planes, at least one of the plurality of planes being different from the first plane, to provide subsequently polarized light. One or more receivers are included for measuring an intensity of the subsequently polarized light in one or more of the plurality of planes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for determining the concentration of chiral molecules in a fluid comprising: a first polarizer configured to polarize light substantially in a first plane; a second polarizer configured to polarize light in a plurality of planes, at least one of the plurality of planes being different from the first plane; a fluid chamber, at least a portion of the fluid chamber at least partially disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, the fluid chamber configured to retain a volume of fluid; and at least one receiver capable of measuring an intensity of incident light transmitted through the first polarizer and through the second polarizer, wherein the second polarizer includes a polarizer array including one or more polarizing elements, each of the one or more polarizing elements configured to polarize light substantially in a respective single plane, each of the respective single planes being different from one or more of the other of the respective single planes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further including a light source capable of providing light incident upon the first polarizer, the light incident upon the first polarizer being substantially randomly polarized. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fluid chamber includes an at least partially transparent fluid line configured to allow a fluid containing a concentration of chiral molecules to flow through the fluid chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the chiral molecules include glucose molecules. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second polarizer includes a gradient polarizer configured to polarize light in a plurality of different planes. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one receivers are capable of measuring an intensity of light in one or more of the plurality of planes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one receiver includes a linear receiver array. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one receiver includes one or more individual receivers, at least one individual receiver associated with each of the plurality of planes. ### Claim 9 A method comprising: transmitting initially polarized light through a fluid chamber; polarizing the initially polarized light transmitted through the fluid chamber in at least a first plane and a second plane, the second plane being different from the first plane, to provide subsequently polarized light; measuring an intensity of the subsequently polarized light in the at least two planes; and measuring an intensity of the subsequently polarized light when the fluid chamber does not contain the fluid and measuring an intensity of the subsequently polarized light when the fluid chamber contains the fluid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further including providing a fluid capable of containing a concentration of chiral molecules in the fluid chamber. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the chiral molecules include glucose molecules. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further including comparing a measured intensity of the subsequently polarized light when the fluid chamber does not contain the fluid and a measured intensity of the subsequently polarized light when the fluid chamber contains the fluid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further including determining the concentration of the chiral molecules based upon, at least in part, a difference in the measured intensity of the subsequently polarized light when the fluid chamber does not contain the fluid and the measured intensity of the subsequently polarized light when the fluid chamber contains the fluid. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further including providing a visual indicator of measured intensity of the subsequently polarized light in one or more of the plurality of planes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the visual indicator includes a curve of measured intensity of the subsequently polarized light in one or more of the plurality of planes.