Fiberchem, Inc.

Fci-fiberchem, Inc.

Optical Sensors, Inc.

Other

Fic - Fiberchem, Inc.

Stanley M Klainer

Kisholoy Goswami

Devinder P Saini

Chuka H Ejiofor

Dileep K Dandge

David R Walt

Amos J Gottlieb

Marcus S Butler

Stephen L Coulter

Geoffrey F Hewitt

Fred Paul Milanovich

Stephen J Simon

Lawrence A Eccles

Johnny R Thomas

Chet A Frank

Nelson R Herron

Kishology Goswami

Simplicity, sensitivity and versatility of optical sensors based on competitive immunoassays using antibody-antigen reactions are achieved by solid-state, single-step reactions which permit accurate sensitive qualitative and quantitative information to be obtained without human participation. All of the chemistry-biochemistry is an inherent part of the sensor. A direct reaction occurs when the sample (antigen) is brought in contact with the sensor. The sensitivity of the competitive immunoassay optical sensor is controlled and increased by selecting a tag for the antigen or altering the attachment of a tag to an antigen so that the binding of tagged antigen to an antibody is decreased relative to the binding of untagged antigen to the antibody. The user can vary size, molecular weight and geometric configuration of the tagged antigen. This can be accomplished by selecting the proper tag or by attaching the indicator material to the antigen through a spacer or by attaching the tag directly to the antigen and attaching a compound of proper molecular weight and size elsewhere. Pretreatment of the substrate to which the antibody-bound tagged antigen is immobilized to block the surface from unwanted interferences and the use of optical isolation increases sensitivity. If the tag cannot be attached to the antigen, it is attached to the antibody. Attaching the controlled size, molecular weight tag to either the antigen or antibody permits the analysis of species not normally measureable by competitive immunoassay, thus increasing the versatility of the method.

Single-step, solid-state competitive immunoassay

Simplicity, sensitivity and versatility of optical sensors based on competitive immunoassays using antibody-antigen reactions are achieved by solid-state, single-step reactions which permit accurate sensitive qualitative and quantitative information to be obtained without human participation. All of the chemistry-biochemistry is an inherent part of the sensor. A direct reaction occurs when the sample (antigen) is brought in contact with the sensor. The sensitivity of the competitive immunoassay optical sensor is controlled and increased by selecting a tag for the antigen or altering the attachment of a tag to an antigen so that the binding of tagged antigen to an antibody is decreased relative to the binding of untagged antigen to the antibody. The user can vary size, molecular weight and geometric configuration of the tagged antigen. This can be accomplished by selecting the proper tag or by attaching the indicator material to the antigen through a spacer or by attaching the tag directly to the antigen and attaching a compound of proper molecular weight and size elsewhere. Pretreatment of the substrate to which the antibody-bound tagged antigen is immobilized to block the surface from unwanted interferences and the use of optical isolation increases sensitivity. If the tag cannot be attached to the antigen, it is attached to the antibody. Attaching the controlled size, molecular weight tag to either the antigen or antibody permits the analysis of species not normally measureable by competitive immunoassay, thus increasing the versatility of the method. Background from displaced tagged antigen can be reduced, and sensitivity increased, by including an interference modifier in the tagged antigen. A gel layer on the sensor extends the ability to detect gaseous or solid species by maintaining the sensing chemistry in an internal wet environment.

Ultrasensitive single-step, solid-state competitive immunoassay sensor

Waveguide sensors are formed on a chip package which contains at least one source and at least one detector. Simple waveguide elements are mounted on the chip. Waveguide defining elements can also be formed integrally with the chip package so that simple waveguide bodies can be inserted or removed. Various geometries of source, reference detector, and sensing detector can be produced. A liquid waveguide sensor is formed by filling a waveguide channel with a liquid reagent or reagents homogeneously dispersed in sol-gels. Sensing waveguides are made of or contain chemistries or biochemistries or are uncoated. Reference waveguides are made of or contain chemistries, biochemistries or materials which are inert to the analyte (sample) of interest. The chip geometries are such that absorption, fluorescence, and refractive index measurements can be made.

Chip level waveguide sensor

A fiber optic sensing device for measuring a chemical or physiological parameter of a body fluid or tissue is provided. To one end of the fiber is attached a polymer including a plurality of photoactive moieties selected from the group consisting of chromophores and lumophores, the photoactive moieties spaced apart so as to minimize chemical or physical interaction therebetween while optimizing the density of photoactive moieties. In one embodiment, a polymer chain is covalently bound to photoactive moieties through functional groups such as esters, amides, or the like. In a second embodiment, a polymer chain is inherently fluorescent and is formed from at least one monomeric unit. These devices are particularly useful as pH and oxygen sensors.

Method for making fluorescent polymers

Surface-bound fluorescent polymers and related methods of synthesis and

A base modifier is added to a pyridine/base reagent composition to improve the ability to detect halogenated hydrocarbons like TCE and chloroform. The base modifier is an organic base which facilitates formation of a stable final reaction product. New bases are also combined with pyridine.

Halohydrocarbon sensing chemistry with base modifier

A solid state optical sensor for CO has a sensing material which includes a molybdenum, tungsten or vanadium color forming agent; a palladium, ruthenium or osmium catalyst; and an iron, chromium or cesium reversing agent. A redox property modifier and/or an interference suppressing agent may also be included. The chemistry is contained in a polymer embedding matrix, with permeation enhancer, if required. Solubility of the chemistry in the polymer matrix is enhanced by lipophilic counterions. The matrix with embedded sensing chemistry is coated on an optical substrate to form an optical transducer.

Solid state sensor for carbon monoxide

A sensing chemistry for halogenated hydrocarbons includes pyridine or a pyridine derivative and a strong organic alkoxide base. The sensing chemistry may be in a nonaqueous organic solvent or in a solid state matrix. The base reacts with the halohydrocarbon to produce a carbene intermediate reaction product, which in the absence of water preferentially reacts with the pyridine to form a colored and/or fluorescent product.

Method and composition for halohydrocarbon detection

A molybdenum, tungsten or vanadium salt-palladium, ruthenium or osmium salt solution for CO detection is made reversible by addition of ferric, chromium (VI) or cerium (IV) ion. The system is made more CO specific by adding an interference control salt which forms white or colorless precipitates with interfering species. The operational and shelf life are extended by a mixture of counterions; the acetate counterion is particularly useful.

Specific and reversible carbon monoxide sensor

A molybdenum salt-palladium salt solution for CO detection is made reversible by addition of ferric ion. The system is made more CO specific by adding an interference control salt which forms white or colorless precipitates with interfering species. The operational and shelf life are extended by a mixture of counterions; the acetate counterion is particularly useful.

In a refractive index type optical sensor having a thin film metal clad on a waveguide to control leakage of light as a function of refractive index, light leakage occurs in the region where a discontinuity in refractive index occurs. A discontinuous clad with short, closely spaced segments maximizes light leakage and sensitivity over the length of the sensing region. Multiple sensing regions can be formed on a single waveguide.

Optimal length for refractive index sensors

A species-specific metal clad segment on a waveguide, including a planar waveguide, allows controlled light leakage of light propagating through the waveguide by total internal reflection, to measure refractive index and identify chemical species. A waveguide sensor is designed for a particular chemical species by selecting a metal clad with an affinity for the species and by matching the refractive indices of the waveguide body, clad, metal clad segment and chemical species. Dual or multiple measurement methods use a pair or multiple metal clad segments of different specificity. The metal clad segment may include another material to provide a suitable refractive index while having the desired affinity for the chemical species or to provide a catalyst to react the species to form a reaction product which is more readily detected.

Planar and other waveguide refractive index sensors using metal cladding

Single or multi-cell reservoir sensors with single illumination sources and one or more detectors per cell unit have an arrangement whereby a gaseous, vapor or liquid sample enters the cell body and interacts with a sensing solution to detect and quantify a given species. Entrance of the sample into the sensor is through an opening in the cell body which may be covered with a membrane to contain the sensing reagent and to presort the species entering the cell. Reservoir cells can be used with organic, inorganic or biochemical sensing materials. A variety of sensors as alcohol, drugs of abuse, organic halides, cyanide and inorganic ions are provided.

Reservoir chemical sensors

A fiber optic chemical sensor is made water repellent by attaching a plurality of long, hydrophobic chains, e.g. silane polymers, to the surface. The chains extend from the surface and form a semi-permeable barrier which repels water molecules while selectively passing analyte molecules therethrough. In one configuration, the hydrophobic chains are attached substantially uniformly over the clad. In a second configuration, the clad is a plurality of spaced stripes with the hydrophobic chains attached in the gaps between the stripes. In another configuration, a patterned hydrophobic coating of alternating thick and thin segments is formed on the clad.

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Henderson, NV, United States of America

Stanley M Klainer