US4889407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical waveguide sensor and method of making same
Assignee: TGC RESEARCH Ltd
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Filing: 1988-12-02
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Granted: 1989-12-26
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Expires: 2008-12-02
Abstract
Abstract An optical waveguide sensor for determining an analyte in a medium, which sensor comprises an optical waveguide having a portion to be brought into contact with said medium, said portion having a plurality of cells arranged in an array which substantially covers the cross-sectional area of the waveguide, each of said cells containing an indicator sensitive to said analyte, and a method for the preparation of said sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 David R. Markle
- 👤 Barry C. Crane
- 👤 Michael P. Irvine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N21/78; G01N21/80; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/268; G01N21/7703; G01N21/17; G01N2021/1738; G01N2021/174
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
An optical waveguide sensor for determining an analyte in a medium, which sensor comprises an optical waveguide having a portion to be brought into contact with said medium, said portion having a plurality cells arranged in an aray which substantially covers the cross-sectional area containing an indicator sensitive to said analyte.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
An optical waveguide sensor for determining an analyte in a medium, which sensor comprises an optical waveguide having a portion to be brought into contact with said medium, said portion having a plurality cells arranged in an aray which substantially covers the cross-sectional area containing an indicator sensitive to said analyte.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sensor according to claim 1, in which the waveguide is an optical fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sensor according to claim 2, in which each of said cells is formed by ablating a hole in the optical fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sensor according to claim 3, in which said cell is ablated with a high energy laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sensor according to claim 1, in which said array is a helical array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sensor according to claim 1, in which the analyte is the pH of the medium and the indicator is a pH-sensitive absorption indicator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sensor according to claim 6, in which the indicator is phenol red which is deposited in each cell in a gel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sensor according to claim 1, in which the waveguide is an optical fiber having a distal end and a reflective surface is bonded to said distal end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sensor according to claim 8, in which said reflective surface is a metal or a layer of reflective particles suspended in an epoxy resin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sensor according to claim 1, in which the optical fiber is made from polymethyl methacrylate.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for the preparation of an optical waveguide sensor for determining an analyte in a medium, which comprises selecting a portion of said waveguide, subjecting said portion to means for forming one or more cells within the waveguide, immersing said portion in a medium containing an indicator sensitive to said analyte and evacuating said one or more cells until each of said cells is filled with said indicator.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for the preparation of an optical waveguide sensor for determining an analyte in a medium, which comprises selecting a portion of said waveguide, subjecting said portion to means for forming one or more cells within the waveguide, immersing said portion in a medium containing an indicator sensitive to said analyte and evacuating said one or more cells until each of said cells is filled with said indicator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 11, in which said waveguide is an optical fiber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 12, in which each of said cells is formed by ablating a hole in the optical fiber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 13, in which said cell is ablated with a high energy laser.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method according to claim 14, in which a plurality of cells is ablated in the optical fiber by ablating a first cell, then longitudinally moving and rotating the fiber and ablating a second cell and repeating the moving, rotating and ablating steps until the desired number of cells is formed, said cells being arranged in an array which substantially covers the cross-sectional area of the fiber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 15, in which said array is a helical array.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
87 words
A method according to claim 14, in which a plurality of cells arranged in an array which substantially covers the cross-sectional area of the fiber is ablated along said portion of the fiber by subjecting said portion to beams of radiation from a single laser wherein said beams are reflected by a series of reflectors, each of which is located around said portion at an angle which reflects its associated beam into said fiber at a site pre-selected to provide the relevant cell in the desired array.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 17, in which said array is a helical array.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for the preparation of an optical fiber pH sensor which comprises ablating a plurality of holes with an excimer laser to form cells in an array along a portion of an optical fiber, immersing said portion in a gel-forming solution of phenol red indicator and evacuating said cells so that the cells are filled with solution, removing the fiber from the solution and allowing an indicator-containing gel to form in each cell.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for the preparation of an optical fiber pH sensor which comprises ablating a plurality of holes with an excimer laser to form cells in an array along a portion of an optical fiber, immersing said portion in a gel-forming solution of phenol red indicator and evacuating said cells so that the cells are filled with solution, removing the fiber from the solution and allowing an indicator-containing gel to form in each cell.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 19, in which a cross-linking agent is added to the solution to facilitate formation of said gel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 19, in which said optical fiber has a distal end and a reflective surface is bonded to said distal end prior to or after said ablation step.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 21, in which said reflective surface is formed by suspending reflective particles in a liquid adhesive, immersing the distal end of said optical fiber in said liquid suspension, withdrawing said distal end from said liquid and curing said adhesive to provide a layer of said reflective particles on said distal end of the fiber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-25 | 1993-06-26 | 1993-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-25 | 1997-06-26 | 1997-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-25 | 2001-06-26 | 2001-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |