US5166073A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Miniaturized sensor for ionizing radiation
Assignee: Dow Chemical Co
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Filing: 1989-05-05
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Granted: 1992-11-24
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Expires: 2009-05-05
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an optical sensor useful for the detection of ionizing radiation emitted from an analyte in a fluid. The sensor is composed of a permeable scintillator having a high surface area to scintillator volume ratio and an optical waveguide located in working relation to the scintillator to collect light photons generated in response to an ionizing radiation source. The sensor is especially useful for biomedical applications. Increased sensitivity allows for miniaturization and implantation in a blood vessel of a small experimental animal.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven M. Lefkowitz
- 👤 Mary A. Leugers
- 👤 Steven J. Brownell
- 👤 Deborah C. Helmer
- 👤 Patrick E. Kastl
- 👤 Ray Chrisman
- 👤 Patrick W. Langvardt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/161; A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/42; A61B6/4208; A61B6/4258; G01T1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A sensor for determining the concentration of an ionizing radiation emitting analyte in a fluid comprising: (a) a scintillator having permeability to said fluid, said scintillator being effective for yielding a sensitivity to ionizing radiation above 2.5×10 3 counts per minute per disintegration per minute per microliter per cubic meter of scintillator (cpm/dpm/μl/m3); and (b) an optical waveguide in working relation with said scintillator to collect light photons generated by said scintillator in response to an ionizing radiation source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A sensor for determining the concentration of an ionizing radiation emitting analyte in a fluid comprising: (a) a scintillator having permeability to said fluid, said scintillator being effective for yielding a sensitivity to ionizing radiation above 2.5×10 3 counts per minute per disintegration per minute per microliter per cubic meter of scintillator (cpm/dpm/μl/m3); and (b) an optical waveguide in working relation with said scintillator to collect light photons generated by said scintillator in response to an ionizing radiation source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the sensor includes a permeable membrane surrounding the scintillator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the sensor includes a reflecting surface positioned with respect to the optical waveguide and the scintillator in a manner such that the intensity of light photons impinging on the waveguide is substantially increased.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the scintillator is sensitive to beta emitting ionizing radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the sensor has a diameter of from about 50 to about 1000 micrometers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the sensor has a diameter of from about 400 to about 600 micrometers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the sensor includes a semipermeable membrane surrounding the scintillator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The sensor of claim 7 wherein the semipermeable membrane is selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, copolymers of acrylonitrile/vinylpyrrolidone, polyamideimide, polysulfone, polyamide, hydrophilic polyolefin, copolymer of acrylonitrile/methallyl sulfonate, sulfonated polysulfone, silicone rubber, microporous polyolefin, polytetrafluoroethylene and combinations thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sensor of claim 8 wherein the semipermeable membrane is selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, polysulfone, sulfonated polysulfone, polyfluorocarbon and combinations thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the optical waveguide is an optical fiber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sensor of claim 10 wherein the scintillator is selected from the group consisting of organic crystal, organic plastic, inorganic crystal, inorganic amorphous solid and combinations thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sensor of claim 11 wherein the scintillator is selected from the group consisting of anthracene, picene, naphthacene, naphthalene, pentacene, hexacene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, chrysens, pyrene, fluorene, carbazole, diphenylene oxide and combinations thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the scintillator is an openly cellular foam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor of claim 13 wherein the foam is a polymeric matrix in combination with at least one scintillator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The sensor of claim 14 wherein the polymeric matrix is selected from the group consisting of poly(styrene), poly(vinyl toluene), poly(vinyl naphthalene), poly(vinyl anthracene), poly(methyl methacrylate) and the copolymers and blends thereof.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for determining the concentration of an ionizing radiation emitting analyte in a fluid medium, comprising the steps of: (A)inserting a sensor into the medium, wherein the sensor comprises: (a) a scintillator having a permeability to said fluid; and (b) an optical waveguide in working relation with said scintillator to collect light photons generated by said scintillator in response to an ionizing radiation source: (B) collecting the light photons from the scintillator through the waveguide: (C) measuring the number of the light photons and relating the measured number to a known standard to determine the concentration of the analyte in the fluid medium.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for determining the concentration of an ionizing radiation emitting analyte in a fluid medium, comprising the steps of: (A)inserting a sensor into the medium, wherein the sensor comprises: (a) a scintillator having a permeability to said fluid; and (b) an optical waveguide in working relation with said scintillator to collect light photons generated by said scintillator in response to an ionizing radiation source: (B) collecting the light photons from the scintillator through the waveguide: (C) measuring the number of the light photons and relating the measured number to a known standard to determine the concentration of the analyte in the fluid medium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the sensor further comprises a reflecting surface positioned with respect to the optical waveguide and the scintillator in a manner such that the intensity of light photons impinging on the waveguide is substantially increased.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the optical waveguide is an optical fiber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the scintillator is selected from the group consisting of organic crystal, organic plastic, inorganic crystal, inorganic solid and composites thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the scintillator is selected from the group consisting of anthracene, picene, naphthacene, naphthalene, pentacene, hexacene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, chrysene, pyrene, fluorene, carbazole, diphenylene oxide and combinations thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the scintillator is selected from the group consisting of anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, naphthacene, fluorene and carbazole.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the analyte comprises a beta emitting compound.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the analyte comprises a compound labelled with 14 C.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the sensor has a diameter of from about 50 to about 1000 micrometers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the sensor has a diameter of from about 400 to about 600 micrometers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the scintillator is in the form of an openly cellular foam.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the foam comprises a polymeric matrix in combination with at least one scintillator wherein the polymeric matrix is selected from the group consisting of poly(styrene), poly(vinyl toluene), poly(vinyl naphthalene), poly(vinyl anthracene), poly(methyl methacrylate) and the copolymers and blends thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the sensor further comprises a semipermeable membrane enclosing the scintillator.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the semipermeable membrane is selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, copolymers of acrylonitrile/vinylpyrrolidone, polyamideimide, polysulfone, polyamide, hydrophilic polyolefin, copolymer of acrylonitrile/methallyl sulfonate, sulfonated polysulfone, silicone rubber, microporous polyolefin, tetrafluoroethylene fluorocarbon and combinations thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the semipermeable membrane is selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, polysulfone, sulfonated polysulfone, polyfluorocarbon and combinations thereof.
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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) | 1995-11-24 | 1996-05-25 | 1996-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-24 | 2000-05-25 | 2000-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-24 | 2004-05-25 | 2004-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |