Compact opto-fluidic chemical sensor
OwnerUlrich Bonne, Purnendu K. Dasguptainventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensor having a tubular optical cell or similar structure with a membrane wall. The wall may be permeable so that analyte can enter into the tube containing a reagent. Conversely, the wall structure could instead operate to let reagent enter into the tube containing the analyte. Attached to one end of the tube may be a reagent reservoir. A valve may be attached to the other end of the tube and to a reagent disposal container. The flow or replacement of the reagent in the tube may be caused by gravity, a pump, elastic reservoir design or pressurized gas. One or more light sources may be positioned at one end of the tube with a light detector at the other end. Processing and display electronics may be connected to the valve, light sources and detector.
Claims50
A sensor comprising:
- an enclosure having an input and an output;
- a light source proximate to the enclosure;
- a light detector proximate to the enclosure;
- and
- wherein the enclosure is capable of containing a first fluid.
A fluid sensor comprising:
- a tube comprising a membrane wall;
- a reagent supply container connected to a first end of the tube;
- a reagent disposal container connected to a second end of the tube;
- a first light source having a first wavelength proximate to the second end of the tube;
- a second light source having a second wavelength proximate to the second end of the tube;
- and
- a light detector proximate to the first end of the tube.
A sensor comprising:
- a first container;
- a tube, having a porous wall, connected to the first container;
- and
- a light source proximate to the tube.
A sensing means comprising:
- means for the holding a fluid;
- means for providing a fluid to the means for holding the fluid;
- means for controlling a flow of a fluid into the means for holding a fluid;
- means for illuminating a fluid in the means for holding a fluid;
- and
- means for detecting light from the means for illuminating a fluid via the means for holding a fluid;
- and
- wherein the means for holding a fluid permits analyte to enter the means for holding a fluid.
A method for sensing, comprising:
- placing a reagent into an enclosure;
- subjecting the enclosure to an environment containing analyte so that the analyte mixes with the reagent;
- illuminating the reagent;
- and
- detecting light from the reagent.
A sensor comprising:
- an enclosure having an input and an output;
- a light source proximate to the enclosure;
- a light detector proximate to the enclosure;
- and
- wherein the enclosure is capable of containing a fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.