US 6,306,347 B1Granted

Optical sensor and method of operation

AssigneeBayer Aktiengesellschaft

InventorsRichard W. Mason, Rudolf E. Slovacek, Kevin J. Sullivan

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Abstract

A multiple single use optical sensor includes a series of continuous sensor stripes deposited on a substrate web. At least one sample chamber is adapted to extend transversely across a discrete portion of the series of sensor stripes to facilitate analysis of a sample disposed therein. The sample chamber may be moved, or additional sample chambers provided to enable subsequent measurements of additional samples at unused discrete portions of the sensor stripes. The continuous nature of the sensor stripes provides consistency along the lengths thereof to enable calibration data obtained from one discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be utilized for testing an unknown sample an other discrete portion of the sensor stripes. This advantageously eliminates the need for any particular discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be contacted by more than one sample, for improved sensor performance.

Claims12

Dependent claims

An optical sensor assembly adapted for sensing analyte content of a plurality of samples, said optical sensor assembly comprising:

(a) an optical sensor comprising:
a substrate web of predetermined length, said substrate web being substantially gas impermeable and optically transparent in a predetermined spectral range;
a plurality of elongated sensor stripes extending in parallel, spaced relation along the length of said web;
each one of said plurality of sensor stripes adapted for providing an optically discernible response to presence of at least one analyte;
said optical sensor adapted for selective analyte-sensing contact with the plurality of samples, wherein each one of the plurality of samples are selectively superimposable with each one of said plurality of elongated sensor stripes at one a plurality of discrete sample positioned along the lengths thereof;
said optically discernible response being substantially identical at said plurality of discrete sample positions;
and
(b) at least one sample chamber superimposable with each of said plurality of elongated sensor stripes at one of said plurality of discrete sample positions along the lengths thereof;
wherein said at least one sample chamber is adapted for alternately maintaining individual ones of the plurality of samples in said analyte-sensing contact, and wherein said at least one sample chamber comprises:
an elongated cavity disposed within a chamber member, said elongated cavity being defined by a substantially concave surface of said chamber member;
said elongated cavity including first and second apertures disposed at opposite ends thereof to facilitate alternate entry and exit of the individual ones of the plurality of samples to and from said sample chamber;
said chamber member adapted to extend across said plurality of sensor stripes with said substantially concave surface facing said web, wherein said optical sensor effectively closes said substantially concave surface to define a longitudinal side wall of said elongated cavity.

9 more elements

An optical sensor assembly adapted for sensing analyte content of a plurality of samples, said optical sensor assembly comprising:

(a) an optical sensor comprising:
a substrate web of predetermined length, said substrate web being substantially gas impermeable and optically transparent in a predetermined spectral range;
a plurality of elongated sensor stripes extending in parallel, spaced relation along the length of said web;
each one of said plurality of sensor stripes adapted for providing an optically discernible response to presence of at least one analyte;
said optical sensor adapted for selective analyte-sensing contact with the plurality of samples, wherein each one of the plurality of samples are selectively superimposable with each one of said plurality of elongated sensor stripes at one of a plurality of discrete sample positioned along the lengths thereof;
said optically discernible response being substantially identical at said plurality of discrete sample positions;
and
(b) a plurality of sample chambers disposed in parallel, spaced relation on said web, each one of said plurality of sample chambers being sealably superposed with said plurality of elongated sensor stripes at one of said plurality of discrete sample positions along the lengths thereof,
wherein each of said plurality of sample chambers is adapted for alternately maintaining individual ones of the plurality of samples in said analyte-sensing contact.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.