Abstract: The invention relates to devices comprising a sensor layer capable of binding magnesium ions and a scavenging layer that preferentially binds to calcium ions in the presence of both magnesium ions and calcium ions. The sensor layers can comprise known or novel luminionophores. The invention further relates to methods of selectively detecting magnesium ion concentration in the presence of calcium ions.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula I F-L-Q (I) where F comprises a fluorophore capable of absorbing energy at an excitation wavelength and, in the absence of a quencher, emitting energy at an emission wavelength, which is different than the excitation wavelength; Q comprises a quencher; L comprises a linker moiety having two ends, one end being covalently bound to F and the other end being covalently bound to Q. The compounds are capable of undergoing a reversible reaction (1), provided below: (1) where Q+ is an oxidized form of Q representing the absence of a quencher, Ox comprises an oxidizing agent, which is capable of oxidizing Q to its oxidized form Q, and Red comprises a reducing agent, which is capable of converting Q back to its reduced form Q. The compounds can undergo photo-induced electron transfer when irradiated with energy and when Q exists in its oxidized form, Q+.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula I F-L-Q (I) where F comprises a fluorophore capable of absorbing energy at an excitation wavelength and, in the absence of a quencher, emitting energy at an emission wavelength, which is different than the excitation wavelength; Q comprises a quencher; L comprises a linker moiety having two ends, one end being covalently bound to F and the other end being covalently bound to Q. The compounds are capable of undergoing a reversible reaction (1), provided below: (1) where Q+ is an oxidized form of Q representing the absence of a quencher, Ox comprises an oxidizing agent, which is capable of oxidizing Q to its oxidized form Q, and Red comprises a reducing agent, which is capable of converting Q back to its reduced form Q. The compounds can undergo photo-induced electron transfer when irradiated with energy and when Q exists in its oxidized form, Q+.

Abstract: The invention is directed to optical sensors for measuring clinically relevant analytes, their methods of manufacture, and their various uses. In an effort to develop a dry calibration method for the optical sensors of the invention it is discovered that water content inside or in the immediate vicinity of a such a sensor can have a major impact on fluorescence intensity (i.e., a sensor's response in the dry state). Thus, one of the objectives of the invention is the elimination of the bias of sensor responses measured at different humidity environments.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of determining potassium ions in a sample, wherein the ions are contacted with a compound having chromophoric moiety and an ionophoric moiety, where the ionophoric moiety interacts with the potassium ions present in the sample, resulting in the chromophoric moiety changing its radiation absorption properties in the ultraviolet and visible regions of the spectrum. For example, a change in an intensity of an absorption maximum is measured and the ion concentration is determined accordingly.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of determining sodium ions in a sample, wherein the ions are contacted with a compound having chromophoric moiety and an ionophoric moiety, where the ionophoric moiety interacts with the sodium ions present in the sample, resulting in the chromophoric moiety changing its radiation absorption properties in the ultraviolet and visible regions of the spectrum. For example, a change in an intensity of an absorption maximum is measured and the ion concentration is determined accordingly.