Jennifer Marie Parker

US Patent:

50341898, Jul 23, 1991

Filed:

Aug 27, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/769881

Inventors:

Mary E. Cox - Flushing MI
Jennifer W. Parker - Los Angeles CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Alameda CA

International Classification:

G01N 3300

US Classification:

422 52

Abstract:

A fluorescent optical probe employed for the analysis of the concentration of an analyte (or material to be analyzed) in a fluid, employs a permeable, transparent polymeric matrix in which a fluorophor is immobilized, with the polymeric material being directly exposed to the fluid being analyzed. The composite material of the probe may be made up of a homogeneous matrix of transparent polymer, fluorescent compound, catalyst(s) and reagents(s) and is employed to measure analyte concentration in a fluid in the environment surrounding the material. For analyzing oxygen, the fluorophor may be 9,10-diphenyl anthracene and the polymer matrix may be poly (dimethyl siloxane), or silicone, with the presence of oxygen quenching the fluorescence of 9,10-diphenyl anthracene. For analyzing the concentration of glucose, the polymeric material may be poly (hydroxyethyl methacrylate), or PHEMA, the fluorophor may be 9,10-diphenyl anthracene, and as catalytic material, glucose oxidase may also be immobilized within the PHEMA matrix to reduce the quenching action of the oxygen, with increased output radiation therefore indicating higher levels of glucose. More generally, the fluorophor, and the catalyst, and other reagents, when utilized, are immobilized, either physically or chemically, in a homogeneous manner throughtout the polymer host.