Abstract: Provided is an optical sensor including a support and a detection layer, wherein the detection layer includes:

Abstract: Provided is an optical sensor including a support and a detection layer, wherein the detection layer includes: (a) a luminescent material wherein the luminescence intensity of the luminescent material varies as the amount of an analyte varies; (b) a reflective material having a highly efficient reflectance of the wavelengths of excitation and of emission of the luminescent material; and (c) a polymeric binder to support and hold together the luminescent material and the reflective material. Such an optical sensor can be advantageously used in the detection of gaseous, ionic, and nonionic analytes in highly scattering samples. Also provided are methods for the manufacture of such optical sensors.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ammonia sensor including a pH sensitive fluorophore immobilized in a hydrophobic polymer, wherein the fluorophore can react quantitatively with ammonia and the transducing moiety of the fluorophore is neutrally charged when deprotonated. The present invention also provides a method for detecting ammonia using the ammonia sensor and optical sensing devices comprising the ammonia sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ammonia sensor having a pH sensitive fluorophore immobilized in a hydrophobic polymer, wherein the fluorophore can react quantitatively with ammonia and the transducing moiety of the fluorophore is neutrally charged when deprotonated. The present invention also provides a method for detecting ammonia using the ammonia sensor and optical sensing devices that include the ammonia sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a creatinine sensor material having a first layer of a protonated pH sensitive fluorophore immobilized in a hydrophobic polymer, wherein the fluorophore can react quantitatively with ammonia and the transducing moiety of the fluorophore is neutrally charged when deprotonated; a second layer of creatinine deiminase and a polymer; and a third layer of a polymer. The present invention also provides a method for detecting creatinine using the creatinine sensor material and optical sensing devices that incorporate the creatinine sensor material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a urea sensor material having a first layer of a protonated pH sensitive fluorophore immobilized in a hydrophobic polymer, wherein the fluorophore can react quantitatively with ammonia and the transducing moiety of the fluorophore is neutrally charged when deprotonated; a second layer of urease and a polymer; and a third layer of a polymer. The present invention also provides a method for detecting urea using the urea sensor material and optical sensing devices that incorporate the urea sensor material.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for generating the fluorescence of polyanionic fluorophores in low dielectric media with fluorescence activation produced by specific quaternary onium compounds. The method may be used for measuring an analyte and may be useful in sensor devices.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for generating the fluorescence of polyanionic fluorophores in low dielectric media with fluorescence activation produced by specific quaternary onium compounds. The method may be used for measuring an analyte and may be useful in sensor devices.

Abstract: An optical detection method for detecting specific ligands in an immunoassay is formed by diffracting a beam of light through slits formed in a mask and thererby forming an interference pattern. The diffracted light of one of the slits is distributed by an assay having a ligand which when reacted with anti-ligand changes the optical characteristics of the assay thereby changing the interference pattern in a concentration dependent manner.