Abstract: Photocurable and photopatternable compositions are disclosed which comprise a) at least one copolymer derived from 1 to 99 parts by weight of at least one azlactone-functional monomer and 0 to 99 parts of at least one co-monomer; and b) at least one photocrosslinker. Articles are disclosed comprising a substrate and a gel layer of the cured composition which may be photopatterned with high resolution and used to bind biomolecules to the substrate.

Abstract: A blood parameter measurement device especially useful for surgical procedures includes a compact housing with a light source, light detector and signal converter contained within the housing. In use, the device is releasably coupled to a cassette that can be either used as an in-line cell in series with a cardiopulmonary by-pass circuit, or in another passageway that shunts the cardiopulmonary by-pass circuit. Preferably, the housing of the device has a longitudinal axis that extends in a direction generally parallel to the direction of blood flowing through the cassette.

Abstract: Photocurable and photopattemable compositions are disclosed which comprise a) at least one copolymer derived from 1 to 99 parts by weight of at least one azlactone-functional monomer and 0 to 99 parts of at least one co-monomer; and b) at least one photocrosslinker. Articles are disclosed comprising a substrate and a gel layer of the cured composition which may be photopatterned with high resolution and used to bind biomolecules to the substrate.

Abstract: A blood parameter measurement device especially useful for surgical procedures includes a compact housing with a light source, light detector and signal converter contained within the housing. In use, the device is releasably coupled to a cassette that can be either used as an in-line cell in series with a cardiopulmonary by-pass circuit, or in another passageway that shunts the cardiopulmonary by-pass circuit. Preferably, the housing of the device has a longitudinal axis that extends in a direction generally parallel to the direction of blood flowing through the cassette.

Abstract: A fluorescent ionophoric compound is disclosed that includes a complexing moiety, such as a cryptand or crown-ether portion, and a fluorescing moiety such as a coumarin portion. The coumarin portion may be substituted at the 3-position with an electron withdrawing or polarizable group such as a substituted aromatic group or a substituted heterocyclic group having a heteroatom in at least one of its alpha positions. The compound, which exhibits good photostability, can be incorporated into cation-sensing composite structures by means of convenient points of covalent attachment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fluorescence based sensor for measuring the concentration of a gas (e.g., CO.sub.2 or ammonia) in a medium such as blood which has improved drift stability. In a preferred embodiment, the sensors of the present invention comprise microcompartments of an aqueous phase having a pH sensitive sensing component within a hydrophobic barrier phase. The sensors of the present invention are substantially free of partitioning species other than the analyte of interest which can migrate from one phase to the other in response to a change in pH in the aqueous phase and which substantially affect the concentration dependent signal. In an alternative embodiment, the sensors of the present invention are constructed so as to retard the migration of partitioning species, thus reducing the initial rate of drift.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fluorescence based sensor for measuring the concentration of a gas (e.g., CO.sub.2 or ammonia) in a medium such as blood which has improved drift stability. In a preferred embodiment, the sensors of the present invention comprise microcompartments of an aqueous phase having a pH sensitive sensing component within a hydrophobic barrier phase. The sensors of the present invention are substantially free of partitioning species other than the analyte of interest which can migrate from one phase to the other in response to a change in pH in the aqueous phase and which substantially affect the concentration dependent signal. In an alternative embodiment, the sensors of the present invention are constructed so as to retard the migration of partitioning species, thus reducing the initial rate of drift.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensing instrument and method for measuring the concentration of an analyte. The sensing instrument includes: a sensing element including at least a first emissive indicator characterized by a bimolecular quenching rate constant k.sub.q, one or more fluorescence lifetimes .tau..sub.o above a lowest lifetime .tau..sub.oL, and capable of emitting analyte concentration dependent signals when exposed to an excitation signal in the presence of quencher; an excitation system which provides an amplitude modulated excitation signal at one or more radial modulation frequencies .omega.; a detector; and a processor. The processor univariantly processes the detected signals and provides output signals representative of analyte concentration. The sensing element and/or excitation system are configured to enable the instrument to operate sufficiently within the condition [(k.sub.q [Q]).sup.2 +.omega..sup.2 ].tau..sub.o.sup.2 >>1+2k.sub.q .tau..sub.

Abstract: Sensing elements, useful in sensing the concentration of a gas, e.g., carbon dioxide, in a medium, e.g. blood, and methods for making such sensing elements are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises continuously placing a sensing composition precursor in contact with a continuous web, forming a continuous sensing composition from the precursor, and applying a continuous opaque film to the sensing composition. A plurality of individual sensing elements are formed from this composite structure. These sensing elements, which each have very similar sensing characteristics, are placed in a sensor fixture for use.

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.

Abstract: A dental impression tray includes a self-contained light source for curing photocurable impression material. The light source is a solid state light emitter such as a light emitting diode. In one embodiment, an array of light emitting diodes is arranged along a channel of the tray. In another embodiment, a light dispersive material distributes light into the tray channel from a bank of one or more emitters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensing instrument and method for measuring the concentration of an analyte. The sensing instrument includes: a sensing element including at least a first emissive indicator characterized by a bimolecular quenching rate constant k.sub.q, one or more fluorescence lifetimes .tau..sub.o above a lowest lifetime .tau..sub.oL, and capable of emitting analyte concentration dependent signals when exposed to an excitation signal in the presence of quencher; an excitation system which provides an amplitude modulated excitation signal at one or more radial modulation frequencies .omega.; a detector; and a processor. The processor univariantly processes the detected signals and provides output signals representative of analyte concentration. The sensing element and/or excitation system are configured to enable the instrument to operate sufficiently within the condition [(k.sub.q [Q]).sup.2 +.omega..sup.2 ].tau..sub.o.sup.2 >>1+2k.sub.q .tau..sub.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fluorescence based sensor for measuring the concentration of a gas (e.g., CO.sub.2 or ammonia) in a medium such as blood which has improved drift stability. In a preferred embodiment, the sensors of the present invention comprise microcompartments of an aqueous phase having a pH sensitive sensing component within a hydrophobic barrier phase. The sensors of the present invention are substantially free of partitioning species other than the analyte of interest which can migrate from one phase to the other in response to a change in pH in the aqueous phase and which substantially affect the concentration dependent signal. In an alternative embodiment, the sensors of the present invention are constructed so as to retard the migration of partitioning species, thus reducing the initial rate of drift.