Abstract: A multiple single use optical sensor includes a series of continuous sensor stripes deposited on a substrate web. At least one sample chamber is adapted to extend transversely across a discrete portion of the series of sensor stripes to facilitate analysis of a sample disposed therein. The sample chamber may be moved, or additional sample chambers provided to enable subsequent measurements of additional samples at unused discrete portions of the sensor stripes. The continuous nature of the sensor stripes provides consistency along the lengths thereof to enable calibration data obtained from one discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be utilized for testing an unknown sample an other discrete portion of the sensor stripes. This advantageously eliminates the need for any particular discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be contacted by more than one sample, for improved sensor performance.

Abstract: A multiple single use optical sensor includes a series of continuous sensor stripes deposited on a substrate web. At least one sample chamber is adapted to extend transversely across a discrete portion of the series of sensor stripes to facilitate analysis of a sample disposed therein. The sample chamber may be moved, or additional sample chambers provided to enable subsequent measurements of additional samples at unused discrete portions of the sensor stripes. The continuous nature of the sensor stripes provides consistency along the lengths thereof to enable calibration data obtained from one discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be utilized for testing an unknown sample an other discrete portion of the sensor stripes. This advantageously eliminates the need for any particular discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be contacted by more than one sample, for improved sensor performance.

Abstract: A multiple single use optical sensor includes a series of continuous sensor stripes deposited on a substrate web. At least one sample chamber is adapted to extend transversely across a discrete portion of the series of sensor stripes to facilitate analysis of a sample disposed therein. The sample chamber may be moved, or additional sample chambers provided to enable subsequent measurements of additional samples at unused discrete portions of the sensor stripes. The continuous nature of the sensor stripes provides consistency along the lengths thereof to enable calibration data obtained from one discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be utilized for testing an unknown sample an other discrete portion of the sensor stripes. This advantageously eliminates the need for any particular discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be contacted by more than one sample, for improved sensor performance.

Abstract: A liquid permeable metallic coating is utilized in conjunction with a fluorescence based optical sensor. The metallic coating is deposited directly on, and is in physical contact with, the sensing membrane. The metallic coating does not require an intervening substrate layer or other components. When light from a light source is shone through the substantially light transmissive substrate onto the sensing membrane, the metallic overcoating reflects back the excitation light as well as the fluorescence light generated by the sensor such that substantially no light reaches the sample where the light may be scattered and/or absorbed by the sample. Accordingly, the accuracy and repeatability of the sensor is improved while the cost and production times associated with manufacturing the sensor are minimized.

Abstract: A multiple single use optical sensor includes a series of continuous sensor stripes deposited on a substrate web. At least one sample chamber is adapted to extend transversely across a discrete portion of the series of sensor stripes to facilitate analysis of a sample disposed therein. The sample chamber may be moved, or additional sample chambers provided to enable subsequent measurements of additional samples at unused discrete portions of the sensor stripes. The continuous nature of the sensor stripes provides consistency along the lengths thereof to enable calibration data obtained from one discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be utilized for testing an unknown sample an other discrete portion of the sensor stripes. This advantageously eliminates the need for any particular discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be contacted by more than one sample, for improved sensor performance.

Abstract: A multiple single use optical sensor includes a series of continuous sensor stripes deposited on a substrate web. At least one sample chamber is adapted to extend transversely across a discrete portion of the series of sensor stripes to facilitate analysis of a sample disposed therein. The sample chamber may be moved, or additional sample chambers provided to enable subsequent measurements of additional samples at unused discrete portions of the sensor stripes. The continuous nature of the sensor stripes provides consistency along the lengths thereof to enable calibration data obtained from one discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be utilized for testing an unknown sample an other discrete portion of the sensor stripes. This advantageously eliminates the need for any particular discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be contacted by more than one sample, for improved sensor performance.

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

Abstract: A liquid permeable metallic coating is utilized in conjunction with a fluorescence based optical sensor. The metallic coating is deposited directly on, and is in physical contact with, the sensing membrane. The metallic coating does not require an intervening substrate layer or other components. When light from a light source is shone through the substantially light transmissive substrate onto the sensing membrane, the metallic overcoating reflects back the excitation light as well as the fluorescence light generated by the sensor such that substantially no light reaches the sample where the light may be scattered and/or absorbed by the sample. Accordingly, the accuracy and repeatability of the sensor is improved while the cost and production times associated with manufacturing the sensor are minimized.

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: A liquid permeable metallic coating is utilized in conjunction with a fluorescence based optical sensor. The metallic coating is deposited directly on, and is in physical contact with, the sensing membrane. The metallic coating does not require an intervening substrate layer or other components. When light from a light source is shone through the substantially light transmissive substrate onto the sensing membrane, the metallic overcoating reflects back the excitation light as well as the fluorescence light generated by the sensor such that substantially no light reaches the sample where the light may be scattered and/or absorbed by the sample. Accordingly, the accuracy and repeatability of the sensor is improved while the cost and production times associated with manufacturing the sensor are minimized.

Abstract: Optical sensor formulations comprising polymeric sensing formulations and methods of predictably making optical sensor formulations, for, e.g., measuring O2 levels in patient blood samples. These formulations may be, e.g., deposited as a membrane on light-transmissive substrates. In an embodiment, O2-sensing formulations may be made by a process including selecting a first homopolymer comprised of first monomeric units, the first homopolymer having a first PermO2 value; selecting a second homopolymer comprised of second monomeric units, the second homopolymer having a second PermO2 value that is different from the first PermO2 value; and copolymerizing the first and second monomeric units to obtain a copolymer having an intermediate PermO2 value, i.e., between the two PermO2 values, the intermediate PermO2 providing the desired PermO2 for the desired oxygen sensing formulation.

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: A polymeric sensing membrane having a Stern-Volmer constant within a pre-determined range of Stern-Volmer constants. The membrane includes a polymeric material having a fluorescent dye molecule dispersed therein. The dye molecule is capable of having its fluorescence collisionally quenched by a gas to be detected by the membrane. In one embodiment, the membrane includes a fluorescent dye molecule which has a relaxation time and a polymeric material having a permeability within a range of permeabilities defined by a mathematical function of the pre-determined range of Stern-Volmer constants. In another embodiment, the membrane includes a polymeric having a permeability and a fluorescent dye molecule having a relaxation time within a range of relaxation times defined by a mathematical function of the pre-determined range of Stern-Volmer constants.

Abstract: A polymeric sensing membrane having a Stern-Volmer constant within a pre-determined range of Stern-Volmer constants. The membrane includes a polymeric material having a fluorescent dye molecule dispersed therein. The dye molecule is capable of having its fluorescence collisionally quenched by a gas to be detected by the membrane. In one embodiment, the membrane includes a fluorescent dye molecule which has a relaxation time and a polymeric material having a permeability within a range of permeabilities defined by a mathematical function of the pre-determined range of Stern-Volmer constants. In another embodiment, the membrane includes a polymeric having a permeability and a fluorescent dye molecule having a relaxation time within a range of relaxation times defined by a mathematical function of the pre-determined range of Stern-Volmer constants.

Abstract: An evanescent wave system and method including an optical sensor for use in assaying a reference material and at least one molecular species or analyte in a test medium or test sample for diagnostic and other applicable purposes. The sensor includes a waveguide for propagating a radiation input along its length. The radiation input causes evanescent electromagnetic waves that are capable of stimulating output emissions that are indicative of a reference material and of one or more molecular species or analytes. By comparing the emission(s) indicative of the reference material to the emission indicative of the presence of the molecular species or analyte, the presence and concentration of the molecule in the sample can be determined. The reference material provides for normalization and/or calibration of the system.

Abstract: An evanescent wave system and method including an optical sensor for use in assaying a reference material and at least one molecular species or analyte in a test medium or test sample for diagnostic and other applicable purposes. The sensor includes a waveguide for propagating a radiation input along its length. The radiation input causes evanescent electromagnetic waves that are capable of stimulating output emissions that are indicative of a reference material and of one or more molecular species or analytes. By comparing the emission(s) indicative of the reference material to the emission indicative of the presence of the molecular species or analyte, the presence and concentration of the molecule in the sample can be determined. The reference material provides for normalization and/or calibration of the system.

Abstract: An evanescent wave sensor and method for use in analyzing one or more media, the sensor including a waveguide having first and second wave propagating surfaces. The waveguide propagates an input signal along the waveguide between the first and second surfaces. The first surface receives a first radiation signal which indicates the presence of a first analyte, and the second surface receives a second radiation signal representing one or both of a second analyte and a reference. The first and second surfaces can both be contacted with a single medium, or with two separate media, and one or more output signals can be detected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical apparatus and a uniaxial method for rapidly measuring spectroscopically labelled specific binding analytes in a reaction assay mixture that contains unbound label without requiring the physical separation of the unbound label from the reaction mixture or sequential reagant additions and incubations. Moreover, the technique is equally applicable to measurements in either serum or whole blood.

Abstract: An evanescent wave sensor for use in analyzing a medium, the sensor including a shell having a radiation port at a first end and a base at a second end. The base has a dimension greater than that of the radiation port, and inner and outer wall surfaces of the shell extend between the radiation port and the base. The shell is formed of a material having an index of refraction greater than that of the medium. An apparatus and method for analyzing the medium using the sensor may include a receptacle which defines a chamber about a portion of the shell for contacting the medium to the shell for analysis, optical elements for guiding radiation from a radiation source to the radiation port, and optical elements for guiding fluorescent radiation from the shell to a detector of fluorescent radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel evanescent wave sensor which can have a high numerical aperture and is capable of being used in various forms of optically-based assays. Unlike previous fiber optical devices, the present sensors do not use any cladding at the contact points.