Diagnostic test optical fiber tips
OwnerTom C. Xuinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fiber optic sensor system is provided to determine the concentration of an analyte in fluids. The sensor is made of an optical fiber tip or a tubular tip and has a working end coated with reagents and enzymes. When the working end of the test tip interacts with the analyte, a color reaction takes place. The color intensity is correlated with the amount of analyte presented in the sample and will be transmitted through the optical fiber to a reading meter for data processing. The system can be used to monitor the concentration of a biological analyte such as glucose in blood. Because of the high sensitivity of the fiber optical detection system described here, a minimal sample volume is required and a virtually painless testing process can be achieved.
Claims14
A test tip device for measuring an analyte in a sample comprising:
- a piece of optical fiber with two ends;
- a reagent pad containing all the necessary chemicals and enzymes for a specified analysis;
- said reagent pad being mounted to one end of said optical fiber;
- a detection device comprising:
- (a) a light emitting source;
- (b) a housing for engaging the other end of said fiber to said light source;
- (c) a photo detector to receive light reflected off the reagent pad end of said fiber;
- (d) a processor to convert the light signal to the analyte concentration, and (e) a display to display the test results.
A tubular test tip device for measuring an analyte in a sample comprising:
- a piece of micro tubing with two ends;
- a reagent pad containing all the necessary chemicals and enzymes for a specified analysis;
- said reagent pad being mounted to one end of said tubing;
- a detection device comprising:
- (a) a light emitting source;
- (b) a fiber optic probe connected to the said light source, (c) a photo detector to receive light reflected off the reagent pad end of said tip;
- (d) a processor to convert the light signal to the analyte concentration, and (e) a display to display the test results.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.