The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 12, 1996
Filed:
Jan. 18, 1995
Colleen C Nagel, Arden Hills, MN (US);
James G Bentsen, North St. Paul, MN (US);
Masao Yafuso, Lake Forest, CA (US);
Alan R Katritzky, Gainesville, FL (US);
John L Dektar, Laguna Hills, CA (US);
Cary A Kipke, Woodbury, MN (US);
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
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.