Bayer Corporation

Ciba Corning Diagnostics Corp.

Other

Chiron Corporation

Chiron Diagnostics Corporation

Rudolf E Slovacek

Kevin J Sullivan

Walter F Love

Thomas C Collins

Thomas A Cook

Richard W Mason

Richard L Schulkind

Irene M Walczak

Christiane Munkholm

Joseph Berger

Michael A Harvey

Steven M Barnard

Susan L Cudmore

A multiple single use optical sensor includes a series of continuous sensor stripes deposited on a substrate web. At least one sample chamber is adapted to extend transversely across a discrete portion of the series of sensor stripes to facilitate analysis of a sample disposed therein. The sample chamber may be moved, or additional sample chambers provided to enable subsequent measurements of additional samples at unused discrete portions of the sensor stripes. The continuous nature of the sensor stripes provides consistency along the lengths thereof to enable calibration data obtained from one discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be utilized for testing an unknown sample an other discrete portion of the sensor stripes. This advantageously eliminates the need for any particular discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be contacted by more than one sample, for improved sensor performance.

Optical sensor and method of operation

Method of operating an optical sensor adapted for selective analyte-sensing contact with a plurality of samples

A liquid permeable metallic coating is utilized in conjunction with a fluorescence based optical sensor. The metallic coating is deposited directly on, and is in physical contact with, the sensing membrane. The metallic coating does not require an intervening substrate layer or other components. When light from a light source is shone through the substantially light transmissive substrate onto the sensing membrane, the metallic overcoating reflects back the excitation light as well as the fluorescence light generated by the sensor such that substantially no light reaches the sample where the light may be scattered and/or absorbed by the sample. Accordingly, the accuracy and repeatability of the sensor is improved while the cost and production times associated with manufacturing the sensor are minimized.

Metallic overcoating as a light attenuating layer for optical sensors

Optical sensors with reflective materials

Optical sensor formulations comprising polymeric sensing formulations and methods of predictably making optical sensor formulations, for, e.g., measuring O,levels in patient blood samples. These formulations may be, e.g., deposited as a membrane on light-transmissive substrates. In an embodiment, O,-sensing formulations may be made by a process including selecting a first homopolymer comprised of first monomeric units, the first homopolymer having a first Perm,value; selecting a second homopolymer comprised of second monomeric units, the second homopolymer having a second Perm,value that is different from the first Perm,value; and copolymerizing the first and second monomeric units to obtain a copolymer having an intermediate Perm,value, i.e., between the two Perm,values, the intermediate Perm,providing the desired Perm,for the desired oxygen sensing formulation. By adjusting the relative amounts of the first and second monomeric units, a series of polymers having a desired range of intermediate permeability values (and hence Stem-Volmer characteristic k,values) may be obtained.

Oxygen sensing membranes and methods of making same

The invention discloses enzyme-based optical sensors for detecting blood components which are substrates for oxidative enzymes, the sensors advantageously employing a multiple-layer structure featuring a thin, rapidly responding, optical, oxygen sensing layer. The sensors comprise, in order, a) an enzymatic layer containing an oxidative enzyme or enzyme cascade in a water and oxygen-permeable matrix; b) an oxygen sensing layer containing luminescent dye in a light-transmissive, oxygen-permeable matrix; and which is preferably deposited onto c) a light-transmissive substrate. Embodiments of the invention may further include a rapidly hydrating gas-permeable cover, or spacer, layer deposited over the enzymatic layer. A particulate filler material may be included in an effective amount in the oxygen sensing layer to reduce sample light scattering effects. The sensors of the disclosure may be used to detect creatinine and other enzyme-oxidizable analytes such as glucose, lactate or cholesterol, and may be made easily using standard coating techniques known in the art. These sensors are suitable for multiple analyses, but the materials and methods used allow the sensors to be disposable as well, allowing their wide use in medical and analytical applications.

Optical oxidative enzyme-based sensors

A polymeric sensing membrane having a Stern-Volmer constant within a pre-determined range of Stern-Volmer constants. The membrane includes a polymeric material having a fluorescent dye molecule dispersed therein. The dye molecule is capable of having its fluorescence collisionally quenched by a gas to be detected by the membrane. In one embodiment, the membrane includes a fluorescent dye molecule which has a relaxation time and a polymeric material having a permeability within a range of permeabilities defined by a mathematical function of the pre-determined range of Stern-Volmer constants. In another embodiment, the membrane includes a polymeric having a permeability and a fluorescent dye molecule having a relaxation time within a range of relaxation times defined by a mathematical function of the pre-determined range of Stern-Volmer constants.

Oxygen sensing membranes

An evanescent wave system and method including an optical sensor for use in assaying a reference material and at least one molecular species or analyte in a test medium or test sample for diagnostic and other applicable purposes. The sensor includes a waveguide for propagating a radiation input along its length. The radiation input causes evanescent electromagnetic waves that are capable of stimulating output emissions that are indicative of a reference material and of one or more molecular species or analytes. By comparing the emission(s) indicative of the reference material to the emission indicative of the presence of the molecular species or analyte, the presence and concentration of the molecule in the sample can be determined. The reference material provides for normalization and/or calibration of the system.

Multiple output referencing system for evanescent wave sensor

An evanescent wave sensor and method for use in analyzing one or more media, the sensor including a waveguide having first and second wave propagating surfaces. The waveguide propagates an input signal along the waveguide between the first and second surfaces. The first surface receives a first radiation signal which indicates the presence of a first analyte, and the second surface receives a second radiation signal representing one or both of a second analyte and a reference. The first and second surfaces can both be contacted with a single medium, or with two separate media, and one or more output signals can be detected.

Multiple surface evanescent wave sensor with a reference

The present invention relates to an optical apparatus and a uniaxial method for rapidly measuring spectroscopically labelled specific binding analytes in a reaction assay mixture that contains unbound label without requiring the physical separation of the unbound label from the reaction mixture or sequential reagant additions and incubations. Moreover, the technique is equally applicable to measurements in either serum or whole blood.

Method for the rapid detection of analytes involving specific binding

An evanescent wave sensor for use in analyzing a medium, the sensor including a shell having a radiation port at a first end and a base at a second end. The base has a dimension greater than that of the radiation port, and inner and outer wall surfaces of the shell extend between the radiation port and the base. The shell is formed of a material having an index of refraction greater than that of the medium. An apparatus and method for analyzing the medium using the sensor may include a receptacle which defines a chamber about a portion of the shell for contacting the medium to the shell for analysis, optical elements for guiding radiation from a radiation source to the radiation port, and optical elements for guiding fluorescent radiation from the shell to a detector of fluorescent radiation.

Growing community of inventors

Norfolk, MA, United States of America

Rudolf E Slovacek