Texas Instruments Corporation

Fci-fiberchem, Inc.

Richard A Carr

Jose L Melendez

Dwight Urban Bartholomew

Kirk S Laney

Jerome Lee Elkind

John H Berlien, Jr

Robert C Keller

Paul S Breedlove

Diane Louise Arbuthnot

Frederick F Geyer

Patrick Paul Smith

Devinder P Saini

John G Quinn

Jerry L Elkind

A disposable, portable, miniature surface plasmon resonance sensor () having real-time referencing capability in the presence of any interaction, without changing the sensing surface condition is disclosed herein. The sensor () includes an electromagnetic radiation source () which generates a beam of electromagnetic radiation () that passes through a liquid crystal switch that includes a polarizer, plates and liquid crystal material sandwiched between the plates. The liquid crystal switch is disposed between the source () and an array of detectors (). The liquid crystal switch has the ability to switch between a first and a second state of polarized radiation such that it provides the transverse magnetic component of the electromagnetic radiation for detection of SPR on a target element and, in the alternative, provides the transverse electric component of the electromagnetic radiation to determine a reference signal for the sensor (). The polarized radiation is directed toward a layer () of a conductive material capable of sustaining surface plasmon resonance and reflected off layer () towards an array of electromagnetic radiation detectors () to make a determination of a property of the targeted element adjacent to layer () and produce an output signal in response to the received reflected electromagnetic radiation () indicative of the presence of, or representative of the concentration or a concentration range of, the targeted element.

Surface plasmon resonance sensor having real-time referencing

A miniaturized integrated sensor ( ) useful for indicating the presence of a sample analyte is disclosed. The sensor ( ) has a platform ( ) with an upper surface ( ) and a detector ( ), light source ( ), waveguide ( ), and reflective fixtures ( ) embedded in the platform ( ). The light source ( ) is preferably a light emitting diode and sits in a cup-shaped dimple ( ) that directs light from the light source ( ) toward one of the reflective fixtures ( ) to uniformly distribute light across the waveguide ( ). The waveguide ( ) is coupled to an upper surface ( ) of the sensor platform ( ) and is coated with a thin film of indicator chemistry ( ) which interacts with the sample analyte to produce optic signal changes that are measurable by the detector ( ). A lead frame ( ) in the platform ( ) has pins ( ) which provide the interface to the outside world. In one embodiment, sensor package ( ) has a unique shape that requires a predetermined insertion and removal into an instrument harness or other similar application.

Miniaturized integrated sensor platform

A sensor control and data analysis system ( ) for detecting and analyzing various (bio)chemical properties of a given sample substance ( ) using an integrated SPR sensor ( ) or other miniaturized sensor configuration. In one embodiment, raw sensor data from the sensing device ( ) is transferred to a remote processing system ( ), such as a desktop computer, having a display ( ), keyboard or other user control and data entry device ( ), internal storage area ( ), internal microprocessor ( ) and a communications means ( ). The processing system ( ) runs a software application program ( ) that receives the raw sample data and perform qualitative and quantitative analysis to render meaningful information about the sample substance.

Fixed optic sensor system and distributed sensor network

Method and apparatus for electrically interconnecting a sensor ( ) in a beverage dispensing apparatus ( ) to a sensor control system contained within a separate unit concurrent with attachment of said beverage dispensing apparatus to said separate unit are disclosed, comprising locking members ( ) disposed on the beverage dispensing apparatus, a base plate ( ) on the separate unit having receptacles ( ) adapted to matably engage and align the beverage dispensing apparatus, a plurality of base plate conductor members ( ), disposed on the lower surface of the base plate and electrically coupled to the sensor control system, a plurality of dispenser apparatus conductor members ( ), electrically coupled ( ) to the sensor and disposed on an upper surface ( ) of the beverage dispensing apparatus such that as the beverage dispensing apparatus is matably engaged with the base plate the conductor members are brought into alignment and communicative contact.

Versatile interconnection scheme for beverage quality and control sensors

Disclosed is a method of automatically sensing and controlling beverage quality for soft drinks from a fountain dispenser, for example, comprising the steps of supplying a first fluid, such as water or carbonated water, wherein the flow of the first fluid is controlled by a first valve, supplying a second fluid, mixing the first fluid and the second fluid, passing a sample of the mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid onto a sensing surface of a fixed optic sensor, measuring one or more properties of the sample, such as, for example, refractive index, temperature, and pressure, controlling the first valve based on the one or more properties, and dispensing the mixture. The first valve may be proportionally enlarged and reduced or it may selectively opened and closed pursuant to a desired duty cycle. The present invention further comprises a system for automatically sensing and controlling beverage quality, comprising a controller means, a first valve electrically coupled to the controller means for controlling supply of a first fluid, a second valve electrically coupled to the controller means for controlling supply of a second fluid, and a fixed optic sensor electrically coupled to the controller means.

System and method for sensing and controlling beverage quality

A miniaturized integrated sensor (,) useful for indicating the presence of a sample analyte is disclosed. The sensor (,) has a platform (,) with an upper surface (,) and a detector (,), light source (,), waveguide (,), and reflective fixtures (,) embedded in the platform (,). The light source (,) is preferably a light emitting diode and sits in a cup-shaped dimple (,) that directs light from the light source (,) toward one of the reflective fixtures (,) to uniformly distribute light across the waveguide (,). The waveguide (,) is coupled to an upper surface (,) of the sensor platform (,) and is coated with a thin film of indicator chemistry (,) which interacts with the sample analyte to produce optic signal changes that are measurable by the detector (,). A lead frame (,) in the platform (,) has pins (,) which provide the interface to the outside world. In one embodiment, sensor package (,) has a unique shape that requires a predetermined insertion and removal into an instrument harness or other similar application.

Method of making and connecting a miniaturized integrated sensor

Disclosed is a sensing system and method utilizing a sensor cartridge (,) for making analytical measurements regarding one or more samples (,) of interest, the cartridge (,) comprising an opaque housing (,) having an opening (,), the opening (,) allowing access to one or more electrically conductive contacts (,) and one or more fluidic connectors (,) disposed within the housing (,) and mechanically aligned to the electrically conductive contacts (,), a flow cell (,) having one or more channels connected to the one or more fluidic connectors (,), and a fixed optic sensor (,) disposed within said housing (,) and aligned to a sensing surface on the flow cell. The fixed optic sensor may be, for example, a surface plasmon resonance sensor, a critical angle sensor, or a fluorescence-based sensor. In one embodiment of the present invention, the one or more electrically conductive contacts (,) comprise card-edge contacts (,). In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the one or more electrically conductive contacts comprise conductive pins (,) intended to be inserted into a socket (,) of a reporter unit (,). Because the optic sensor is pre-aligned, e.g., a sensing surface portion of the optic sensor is mounted on the flow cell, and at least one of the fluid connectors is aligned to the electrical contacts, the cartridge can be easily replaced on a host unit to allow, e.g., field analysis of multiple fluids.

System and method for optical sensing utilizing a portable, detachable sensor cartridge

A fixed optic sensor system (,) comprising a sensor system (,), and electronic sub-system (,) and a communications means (,). The system can be used for detecting the presence of various sample (,) properties and in that regard has widespread application by leveraging off various miniaturized sensor configurations including surface plasmon resonance (,), fluorescence (,), light transmission (,) and others (,). In one embodiment, the communications means (,) is a wireless transmitter/receiver. In another embodiment, a hand held instrument (,) can be used on-site and communicates with the sensor (,) to receive sample (,) related data and transmit it to a remote processing system (,) for further analysis. In yet another embodiment, a hand held instrument (,) has a plurality of cardiac marker binding ligands (,) deposited on the sensor/sample interface providing a medical diagnosis and point-of-care device (,).

A miniaturized sensor (,) that improves the confidence measure of a given sample reading by directing the flow of sample to the sensor/sample interface (,) and thus bringing the sample reliably in contact with the sensor's biosensing film. An inlet flow channel (,) extending from the bottom (,) of the sensor (,) to the sensing surface (,). The inlet channel (,) guides the sample to a cavity 115 formed at a housing surface (,) where it interacts with the film deposit (,). An outlet channel (,) extends from the cavity (,) to the bottom surface (,) and directs the sample outside the device. The light source (,), detector array (,) and interface (,) can be added to the structure providing a fully integrated miniaturized sensor. Various well known methods of manufacturing may be used including mill casting, split molding and double mold processes.

Optically based miniaturized sensor with integrated fluidics

A self-contained optical sensor (5) with a device platform (7) and an encapsulating light transmissive housing (9) formed therein is disclosed in conjunction with several sensor configurations including fluorescence-based, surface plasmon resonance based and light transmissive (bio) chemical sensor applications. The sensor (10) has at least one light source (20), a photodetector (25), a power source (18) and a display (50) which are embedded in an encapsulating housing (14). In other embodiments, a signal processing unit (35), converter circuit (30) and wireless Communications means (40, 45) are also included in the housing (14).

Self-contained optical sensor system

Disclosed is an integrated miniaturized biochemical sensor (50) which can be used to make critical angle measurements resulting from the differences in refractive index between the sensor's housing (55) and a given sample (40). In one embodiment, the sensor includes a device platform (111) over which an encapsulating and light transmissive housing (115) is formed to enclose the various sensor components including a light source (105), and a photodetector (107), a signal processing unit (95) and a temperature sensor (95). In another embodiment the housing (115) has a reflective mirrored surface (119) which focuses the light (117) from the light source (105) onto a sensing surface (121) which is in interact with the sample (40) of interest. Light incident from the sensing surface (121) is directed at the photodetector (107,159) which may be an array or single cell. A temperature sensor (95) may also be included and coupled to the platform (111).

Critical angle sensor

A miniaturized integrated sensor (50) useful for indicating the presence of a sample analyte is disclosed. The sensor (50) has a platform (52) with an upper surface (53) and a detector (62), light source (60), waveguide (58), and reflective fixtures (60,62) embedded in the platform (52). The light source (60) is preferably a light emitting diode and sits in a cup-shaped dimple (68) that directs light from the light source (60) toward one of the reflective fixtures (64) to uniformly distribute light across the waveguide (58). The waveguide (58) is coupled to an upper surface (53) of the sensor platform (52) and is coated with a thin film of indicator chemistry (70) which interacts with the sample analyte to produce optic signal changes that are measurable by the detector (62). A lead frame (51) in the platform (52) has pins (54, 55, 56) which provide the interface to the outside world. In one embodiment, sensor package (100) has a unique shape that requires a predetermined insertion and removal into an instrument harness or other similar application.

An integrated biochemical sensor (200) for detecting the presence of one or more specific samples (240) having a device platform (355) with a light absorbing upper surface and input/output pins (375) is disclosed. An encapsulating housing (357) provides an optical transmissive enclosure which covers the platform (355) and has a layer of fluorescence chemistry on its outer surface (360). The fluorophore is chosen for its molecular properties in the presence of the sample analyte (240). The detector (370), light sources (365, 367, 407, 409) are all coupled to the platform (355) and encapsulated within the housing (357). A filter (375) element is used to block out unwanted light and increase the detector's (370) ability to resolve wanted emission light.

Integrated fluorescence-based biochemical sensor

A fixed optic sensor system (200) comprising a sensor system (210), and electronic sub-system (205) and a communications means (215). The system can be used for detecting the presence of various sample (236) properties and in that regard has widespread application by leveraging off various miniaturized sensor configurations including surface plasmon resonance (50), fluorescence (80), light transmission (125) and others (150). In one embodiment, the communications means (215) is a wireless transmitter/receiver. In another embodiment, a hand held instrument (358) can be used on-site and communicates with the sensor (350) to receive sample (352) related data and transmit it to a remote processing system (370) for further analysis. In yet another embodiment, a hand held instrument (403) has a plurality of cardiac marker binding ligands (400) deposited on the sensor/sample interface providing a medical diagnosis and point-of-care device (403).

Growing community of inventors

Rowlett, TX, United States of America

Richard A Carr