Monitor having a polymer internal reflective element

A monitor for detecting at least one material contained in a mixture, said monitor comprising:

• a controller;
• and
• detector assembly which is capable of analyzing said material, said detector assembly comprising:
• an internal reflection element which is formed of a polymer having internally reflecting surfaces and an optical index of refraction greater than that of said material;
• a base portion disposed substantially adjacent to said internal reflection element;
• a light source disposed within said base portion wherein it is in communication with said internal reflection element such that said light source is capable of radiating light into said internal reflection element such that it contacts said internally reflecting surfaces;
• and a light analyzer disposed within said base portion wherein it is in communication with said internal reflection element such that said light analyzer is capable of measuring the absorbance of said material as said light is discharged from said internal reflection element,
• wherein said controller controls said light source to radiate light into said internal reflection element at greater than the critical angle such that said light is reflected on said internally reflection surface, a portion of said light is absorbed by said material, wherein said non-absorbed portion of said light is discharged from said internal reflective element at less than the critical angle, and causes said light analyzer to measurer the absorbed light.

A method of detecting at least one material contained within a mixture, said method comprising the steps of:

• exposing a detector assembly to said mixture, wherein said detector assembly comprises:
• an internal reflection element which is formed of a polymer having internally reflecting surfaces and an optical index of refraction greater than that of said material;
• a base portion disposed substantially adjacent to said internal reflection element;
• a light source disposed within said base portion wherein it is in communication with said internal reflection element such that said light source is capable of radiating light into said internal reflection element such that it contacts said internally reflecting surfaces;
• and a light analyzer disposed within said base portion wherein it is in communication with said internal reflection element such that said light analyzer is capable of measuring the absorbance of said material as said light is discharged from said internal reflection element;
• controlling a light source to radiate light into said internal reflective element at greater than the critical angle such that said light is reflected on said internally reflecting surfaces, and such that an absorbed portion of said light is absorbed by said material and where the unabsorbed portion of said light is radiated from said internal reflection element at less than the critical angle, and
• controlling said light analyzer to detect said unabsorbed portion of said light.