Avl Medical Instruments Ag

Avl Ag

Other

Alfred Leitner

Hermann J Marsoner

Hellfried Karpf

Thomas Schalkhammer

Fritz Pittner

Harald Brunner

Otto S Wolfbeis

Helmut List

Herbert Kroneis

Franz Aussenegg

An optochemical sensor for measuring concentrations of analytes is provided with a reactive matrix preferably made of polymeric material capable of swelling. Further provided are a mirror layer and a layer of a plurality of discrete islands that are electrically conductive, between which layers the reactive matrix is positioned, the diameter of the islands being smaller than the wavelength of the light employed for monitoring and evaluation.

Optochemical sensor and method for production

An optochemical fluorescence sensor with a biorecognitive layer for measuring the concentration of one or more analytes in a sample is provided with at least one island layer which is applied on a sensor substrate. The islands of the island layer are in the form of electrically-conductive material and have a diameter of less than 300 nm, the biorecognitive layer being directly applied on the island layer or bound via a spacer film. In addition, an analyte-specific fluorescent compound is provided which may be added to the sample or is provided in the sensor itself. The biorecognitive layer can bind the analyte to be measured directly or by means of analyte-binding molecules, the originally low quantum yield of the fluorescent compound increasing strongly in the vicinity of the island layer.

Optochemical fluorescence sensor and method for measuring the

Due to the size of the devices used for the excitation and measuring of light, conventional sensor elements for optically determining the concentrations of substances contained in gaseous and liquid samples, featuring an indicator layer with one or more indicator substances, are not well suited for use with microanalysis equipment, nor are they easy to mass-produce. These disadvantages are eliminated by integrating on the carrier layer (1) at least one photosensitive element (3) and its electric contact leads in planar arrangement, and by establishing optical contact between the indicator substance (7, 7') of the indicator layer (6) stimulated by the excitation radiation (11), and the photosensitive elements (3).

Sensor element for determination of concentration of substances

Due to the size of the devices used for the excitation and measuring of light, conventional sensor elements for optically determining the concentrations of substances contained in gaseous and liquid samples, featuring an indicator layer with one or more indicator substances, are not well suited for use with microanalysis equipment, nor are they easy to mass-produce. These disadvantages are eliminated by using a unitary sensor element having a carrier layer, at least one photosensitive element with electric contact leads in contact with the carrier layer, and an indicator layer containing an indicator substance.

A sensor element for use in determining the concentrations of substances contained in gaseous and liquid samples includes a carrier layer and an indicator layer containing one or more indicator substances whose optical properties change depending on the concentration of the substances to be measured, the carrier layer being provided with at least one photosensitive element with electrical contacts in planar arrangement, the indicator layer acting as a waveguide for excitation radiation coupled therein by an optical element.

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Graz, Austria

Alfred Leitner