Optics: measuring and testing – Plural test
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-08
2001-02-20
Font, Frank G. (Department: 2877)
Optics: measuring and testing
Plural test
C356S039000, C356S317000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06191847
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates in general to the field of optic sensors and more specifically to an optical sensor system and distributed architecture permitting on site sampling of a wide array of analyte samples with information storage and subsequent transfer to remote processing systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with an optic based sensor system using a diverse collection of lenses, filters, detector and light components and related electronics to detect, qualify and quantify the presence of one or more sample analytes.
Optic-based sensor systems have been developed and used in the fields of chemical, (bio)chemical, biological or biomedical analysis, process control, pollution detection and control as well as others. A typical application involves the chemical coating of a thin film, cable or other article followed by excitation and measurement in the presence of a given sample of interest.
The earliest prior art systems combined a wide assortment of lenses, filters, light sources, detector component and electronics. One example is the fluorescence-based fiber optic oxygen cable sensor which uses a single high brightness Light Emitting Diode (LED) to produce an excitation signal that catalyzes the emission properties of the fluorescence coating material which interacts with the analyte sample of interest to produce a measurable difference in the emission. The material is deposited on a length of the fiber optic cable which, in turn, is emersed in the sample solution producing a measurable change in the fluorescence chemistry emission.
Another prior art system uses a prism shaped lens to direct light incoming one surface onto a second surface upon which a sample reagent or binding material has been deposited. The second surface is placed in contact with the sample which binds to or otherwise interacts with the reagent to alter the angle of refraction along the prism/sample interface. The light output is directed out the third prism surface towards a detector array that senses the angular change indicating one or more sample properties.
These earlier sensor systems had limited use in most practical field applications. The signal generator, LED, lens, filter, detector, amplifier and other components required significant amounts of work space to setup and operate. In addition, their overall high cost and immobility confined their use to the laboratory and research environment. Moreover, such systems required specialized and routine maintenance to ensure precise alignment of the optics in relation to the light sources, detector components and other sub-systems.
Recent advances in miniaturized low powered light sources and detectors has allowed the design of compact fully integrated sensors. A main feature of these miniaturized sensors is the fixed positioning of the light source, sampling surface and detector elements within a rigid solid housing. Thus, miniaturized sensors eliminate the need to transport the sample to the sensor sampling surface. Because the components are readily available the miniaturized sensors are easier to maintain and less expensive to manufacture. Also, since the optics are fixed, miniaturized sensors do not exhibit the same alignment problems of the bulkier prior art sensor systems.
Until the present invention, however, the use of the miniaturized integrated sensors in application specific hand held instruments has not been contemplated. A device that communicates with one or more sensors which are in close proximity or contact with the sample would permit distributed monitoring of environmental conditions and provide great utility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A distributed sensor system incorporating miniaturized sensor technology wherein the optics are fixed in a self-contained housing or device platform has not been contemplated. Prior art sensing systems are too bulky and expensive for use on an in-situ basis.
As such, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a miniaturized integrated (bio)chemical sensing system that allows field personnel to collect sample data in-situ, process, analyze, store the data, and transfer it to a local or centralized server for further analysis. The system includes a fixed optic sensor which can be drop placed in the field or throughout a facility and monitored from an electronic sub-assembly that communicates with the sensor to receive the sample data and control the sensor's operations. Multiple sensors can be monitored by using a sensor specific identifying tag which provides a location mark specific identity for each sensor.
Another object of the invention is to provide a distributed sensor architecture wherein sample data from a plurality of separate and disparate locations is transferred from the local field processors to a centralized processing system. The architecture defines a sensor system with widespread application such as in toxic waste, medical onsite diagnosis or military uses.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sensor system that can be used as an on-site medical diagnostic tool by medical field personnel. In this regard, a device capable of resolving various cardiac markers quickly is envisioned. A blood sample is placed in contact with a sensor/sample interface which has a plurality of binding ligands thereon causing binding interactions between the ligands and specific cardiac markers. The interaction data is relayed to a local processor for analysis and onsite diagnosis which, in turn, is relayed to centralized processor for patient tracking and/or billing purposes. The field medical personnel can receive on-site diagnosis via an integrated display from either the local processing system or the centralized processor and continue treatment accordingly.
Disclosed in one embodiment, is an optical sensor system with a sensor sub-system having at least one light source, one sensor/sample surface and one detector interfaced in fixed relation to one another and an electronic sub-system that communications with the sensor sub-system to obtain sample related data. The electronic sub-system includes a signal processing means, a microcontroller, a storage area, a display, a user interface and controls. The sample data can be stored in the electronic sub-system and relayed to a centralized processing system for further analysis. The communications means between the electronic sub-system and the sensor subsystem is preferably wireless such as radio frequency or infrared. Application specific software can be included on the electronic sub-system assembly providing various user functions, options and control of the sensor sub-system.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, including its features and advantages, reference is now made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5268304 (1993-12-01), Inman et al.
patent: 5299141 (1994-03-01), Hungerford et al.
patent: 5357441 (1994-10-01), Petty et al.
patent: 5485277 (1996-01-01), Foster
patent: 5553094 (1996-09-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 5582170 (1996-12-01), Soller
Melendez et al. , A commercial solution for surface plasmon sensing,Sensors and Actuators B,vol. 35, No. 1/03, Sep. 1996, pp. 212-216.
Bartholomew Dwight U.
Berlien, Jr. John H.
Breedlove Paul S.
Carr Richard A.
Geyer Frederick F.
Brady III Wade James
Denker David
Font Frank G.
Ratliff Reginald A.
Telecky , Jr. Frederick J.
LandOfFree
Fixed optic sensor system and distributed sensor network does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fixed optic sensor system and distributed sensor network, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fixed optic sensor system and distributed sensor network will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2593428