Abstract: A precalibrated sensing system for determining a blood parameter such as the partial pressures of oxygen (pO.sub.2) and carbon dioxide (pCO.sub.2), and the negative logarithm of hydrogen ion activity (pH). A dry sensor is provided which may be calibrated in the factory, packaged, sterilized and stored, without requiring recalibration prior to use.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor is provided for determination of the partial pressure of oxygen. In one aspect, the invention consists of oxygen-quenchable luminescent lanthanide complexes for an oxygen sensor. The complexes are oxygen-quenchable even though immobilized in a solid matrix, such as a solid polymeric matrix, and preferably are terbium complexes of Schiff base or .beta.-diketone ligands. Certain preferred processes are described for improving the oxygen sensitivity of the lanthanide complexes. In another aspect, the invention consists of a combination measuring and reference analyte sensor containing both quenchable and nonquenchable luminescent materials. The materials luminesce at different wavelengths and thus may be transmitted together down a single optical fiber and later discriminated by means of filters and separtely detected. In a third aspect, the invention consists of a low-noise phosphorescent analyte sensor employing a gatable detector.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor is provided for determination of the partial pressure of oxygen. In one aspect, the invention consists of oxygen-quenchable luminescent lanthanide complexes for an oxygen sensor. The complexes are oxygen-quenchable even though immobilized in a solid matrix, such as a solid polymeric matrix, and preferably are terbium complexes of Schiff base or .beta.-diketone ligands. Certain preferred processes are described for improving the oxygen sensitivity of the lanthanide complexes. In another aspect, the invention consists of a combination measuring and reference analyte sensor containing both quenchable and nonquenchable luminescent materials. The materials luminesce at different wavelengths and thus may be transmitted together down a single optical fiber and later descriminated by means of filters and separately detected. In a third aspect, the invention consists of a low-noise phosphorescent analyte sensor employing a gatable detector.