Quantum Group Inc.

Other

Michelle S Oum

Mark K Goldstein

William B Helfman

Michael G Apte

Kathleen L Kerns

Vernon T Taniguchi

A miniature lower cost optical sensing apparatus and method are provided for determining the concentration and/or hazard from a target gas by means of IR or visible photon monitoring one or more sensors that responds to carbon monoxide. The apparatus comprises a photon source optically coupled to the sensor and at least a portion of the photon intensity passing through the sensor is quantified by one or more photodiode(s) in a system, so that the photon flux is a function of at least one sensor's response to the target gas, e.g., transmits light through the sensor to the photodiode. The photo current from the photodiode is converted to a sensor reading value proportional to the optical characteristics of the sensors and is loaded into a microprocessor or other logic circuit. In the microprocessor, the sensor readings may be differentiated to determine the rate of change of the sensor readings and the total photons absorbed value may be used to calculate the CO concentration and/or dose.

Carbon monoxide sensor system and related methods

Gas diffusion sampling and measurement system for occupational dosimetry and air quality monitoring as exemplified by a carbon monoxide occupational dosimeter

Sensor and sensor assemblies generally comprises a sensor body having a chamber disposed therein for accommodating a sensor reagent or material. The chamber is defined within the body between optically transparent body portions. The chamber is in gas flow communication with a passage used for passing a collected breath to the sensor material. A liquid or solid sensor material is disposed within the chamber and is designed to change in optical properties upon exposure to a target gas within the collected breath sample by reaction therewith. A gas permeable membrane can be disposed over the chamber opening to retain the sensor material, in the event it is liquid, and to permit the diffusion of gas from the collected breath sample to the sensor material. The sensor assembly is used with a photon source that emits photons, within a selected wavelength band, onto the chamber and sensor material, and a photon collector that is used to receive photons that exit the chamber. The photon source and photon collector can be part of the sensor assembly or can be part of a breath diagnostic assembly, of which the sensor assembly is a removable member. An optical reading means can be used to determine the change or rate of change in the optical properties, e.g., photon adsorption, of the sensor material after it is exposed to the collected breath sample. The measured change in optical properties can then be used with other gathered information, such as carbon dioxide level, to determine the level of target gas within the collected breath sample.

Sensor and sensor assembly for detecting a target gas in a breath sample

A carbon monoxide (CO) detection system is connected into an anesthesia gas delivery system. The system comprises, among other things, a CO sensor unit containing an inexpensive, replaceable sensor that detects the presence of CO in anesthesia, an in-line adapter that exposes the detection unit to the main stream of the gas and can be placed in a variety of different locations along the gas stream and a side-stream adapter for the removal and analysis of gas stream samples using a CO sensor unit outside of the main gas stream. There is also apparatus capable of measuring the response of the sensors to CO exposure, and data acquisition and a data processing unit for storing, processing and displaying the CO sensor response data. In a preferred embodiment there is a carbon monoxide detection system comprising a detection unit including a sensor unit and a measurement unit. The sensor unit detects carbon monoxide based on the change or rate of change of the optical characteristics of the sensor unit. In a specific embodiment a non-regenerative carbon monoxide sensor comprises a mixture of palladium chloride, silicomolybdic acid, and sulfurous acid. The non-regenerating sensor comprises an antioxidant, preferably sulfite ion.

Non-regenerating carbon monoxide sensor

An improved carbon monoxide sensor system has a dual sensor system having two sensors disposed in a series arrangement within a sensor housing. Each sensor is formed from a porous semi-transparent substrate that is impregnated with a different chemical sensor reagent. At lease one sensor substrate surface is treated with a chemical compound before being impregnated to increase average pore size and, thereby, increase the sensitivity of the sensor. One sensor is formed from a chemical sensor reagent designed to perform at a lower to middle humidity and temperature range. The other sensor is formed from a chemical sensor reagent designed to perform at a middle to high humidity and temperature range. The dual sensor system constructed in this manner provides good carbon monoxide sensitivity at temperature and humidity conditions required by the standards of UL-2034.

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Chula Vista, CA, United States of America

Michelle S Oum