Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

John L Dektar

Masao Yafuso

James Gregory Bentsen

Alan Roy Katritzky

Cary A Kipke

Sanjay L Patil

Colleen C Nagel

Kenneth Brian Wood

Kathryn R Bretscher

Evan A Thompson

James F Fagan

Ronnie L Pratt

The present invention provides processes for the preparation of ionic sensors that include a matrix material, such as ion-permeable cellulose, having a sensing component included therein, such as a fluorescent dye, and an opaque overcoat material. For example, the present invention provides a method of making an ionic sensor comprising: contacting a water-swellable ion-permeable matrix material with an aqueous-based bath of a sensing component, or precursor thereof, under conditions effective to covalently attach the sensing component, or precursor thereof, to the water-swellable ion-permeable matrix material; wherein the aqueous-based bath comprises water and an organic solvent in an amount effective to solubilize the sensing component, or precursor thereof; contacting the water-swellable ion-permeable matrix material having covalently attached sensing component, or precursor thereof, with an aqueous solution having a pH of at least about 10 and an ionic strength of at least about that of a 5% aqueous sodium chloride solution to form a sensing element; and covering the sensing element with an opaque overcoat material. Also provided is a method of making a precursor to a preferred sensing component, i.e., acetoxypyrenetris(sulfonyl)chloride, which is made using a thionyl chloride method. If the sensing component is attached to the matrix material using amine groups, any unreacted amine groups can be capped by contacting them with a solution comprising an acetylating agent, an organic amine, and an ethereal solvent.

Method for producing an ionic sensor

Sensing elements, useful in sensing the concentration of a gas, e.g., carbon dioxide, in a medium, e.g. blood, and methods for making such sensing elements are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises continuously placing a sensing composition precursor in contact with a continuous web, forming a continuous sensing composition from the precursor, and applying a continuous opaque film to the sensing composition. A plurality of individual sensing elements are formed from this composite structure. These sensing elements, which each have very similar sensing characteristics, are placed in a sensor fixture for use.

Sensing elements and methods for uniformly making individual sensing

A sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a medium is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sensor comprises a sensing element including a matrix material and, covalently bonded thereto, one or more monomeric indicator components each of which is capable of providing a first emitted signal of a given wavelength in response to being exposed to an excitation signal. The sensing element is capable of providing a second emitted signal having a longer wavelength than the first emitted signal or signals in response to being exposed to the excitation signal, the second emitted signal being provided by an excimer component produced in the sensing element from the monomeric indicator component(s) and being dependent on the concentration of the analyte in the medium to a greater extent than the first emitted signal or signals. In another embodiment, the sensor comprises a sensing element including two or more different monomeric components at least one or which is a monomeric indicator component capable of providing a first emitted signal in response to being exposed to a first excitation signal. The sensing element is capable of providing a second emitted signal in response to being exposed to a second excitation signal. This second emitted signal is provided by an exciplex produced from the monomeric components. This second emitted signal is preferably dependent on the concentration of the analyte in the medium. An excitation assembly is positioned and adapted to provide the excitation signal to the sensing element. A detector assembly is positioned and adapted to detect the second emitted signal. Preferably, a processor assembly is positioned and adapted to analyze the second emitted signal in determining the concentration of the analyte in the medium.

Sensors and methods for sensing

A sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a medium is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sensor comprises a sensing element including a matrix material and, covalently bonded thereto, one or more monomeric indicator components each of which is capable of providing a first emitted signal of a given wavelength in response to being exposed to an excitation signal. The sensing element is capable of providing a second emitted signal having a longer wavelength than the first emitted signal or signals in response to being exposed to the excitation signal, the second emitted signal being provided by an excimer component produced in the sensing element from the monomeric indicator component(s) and being dependent on the concentration of the analyte in the medium to a greater extent than the first emitted signal or signals. In another embodiment, the sensor comprises a sensing element including two or more different monomeric components at least one of which is a monomeric indicator component capable of providing a first emitted signal in response to being exposed to a first excitation signal. The sensing element is capable of providing a second emitted signal in response to being exposed to a second excitation signal. This second emitted signal is provided by an exciplex produced from the monomeric components. This second emitted signal is preferably dependent on the concentration of the analyte in the medium. An excitation assembly is positioned and adapted to provide the excitation signal to the sensing element. A detector assembly is positioned and adapted to detect the second emitted signal. Preferably, a processor assembly is positioned and adapted to analyze the second emitted signal in determining the concentration of the analyte in the medium.

A composition of matter useful in a sensor for sensing the concentration of an ionic component in a medium is disclosed. This composition comprises a first material which includes a sensing component in an amount effective to provide a signal which varies as the concentration of the ionic component in the medium varies, and a first matrix material which is permeable to the ionic component; and a second material which includes a second matrix material which is permeable to the ionic component, and an opaque agent in an amount sufficient to render the second material effectively opaque. The first material matrix and the second matrix material are covalently bonded together. Sensing apparatus including such composition of matter and methods for making and using such composition of matter are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Laguna Hills, CA, United States of America

John L Dektar