CHEMICAL FIBRO SENSORS
Advances in communication industry have provided appropriate small
optical fibers, high energy sources such as laser and wavelength detectors.
The fiber optic sensors that were developed were called optodes, which
implies that optical sensors are very similar to electrodes.
Main features of chemical fibro sensors:
1. It can be made in small size.
2. Multiple sensors can be introduced together, through a catheter, for
intracranial or intravascular measurements.
3. Since optical measurements are being made, there is no electric hazard to
the patient.
4. Measurements are immune to external electric interference, provided that
the electronic instrumentation is properly shielded.
5. No reference electrode is necessary.
6. High degree of flexibility.
7. Good thermal stability.
8. Low cost manufacturing.
9. Disposable usage is possible.
Limitations of optical fiber sensors:
1. Sensitive to ambient light – It must be used in a dark environment or must
be optically shielded via opaque materials.
2. Optical signal may also have to be modulated in order to code it and make
it distinguishable from the ambient light.
3. The dynamic response of optical sensors is normally limited compared
with that of electrodes.
Types of sensors:
1. Reversible sensors
The reagent phase is not consumed by its reaction with the analyte.
Based on an equilibrium measurement rather than diffusion – dependent
one.
Less susceptible to changes in flow concentration of the sensor.
2. Non reversible sensors
The reagent phase is consumed.
Consumption of the reagent phase must be small / a way to replenish the
reagent.
Limitations of reagent based systems
1. Long term stability for optical sensors may be a problem. – Compensated
by the use of multiple wavelength detection and by the ease of changing
reagent phases.
2. When the reagent and the analyte are in different phases, a mass transfer
step is necessary before constant response is achieved. This limits the
temporal response of an optical sensor.
Designers of optical sensors, must consider:
1. Amount of reagent phase
Response α Amount of reagent phase
For small amounts of reagent, an increased response can be achieved by
increasing the intensity of the source.
An increased response, results in an increase in the photo degradation
process of the reagent.
2. Intensity of the light source
3. System stability
Fluorescence Optical pH sensor (Irreversible)
Sensor is irreversible because of the tight binding between reagent and
analyte or the formation of an irreversible product of the reaction.
Either a long –lasting reagent or a continuous reagent – delivery system is
necessary for long periods of operation.
Sensor is based on the pH sensitive dye hydroxypyrene trisulfonic acid
(HPTS), which is a water soluble fluorescent dye with a pKa of 7.0.
pH sensitivity range is approximately equal to pKa±1.
Figure 1: Single-fiber intravascular blood-gas sensor
Excites fluorescent dye at one wavelength and detects emission at different
wavelength.
Chemistries are covalently bonded through a cellulose matrix attached to the
fiber tip.
An opaque cellulose overcoat formed over the matrix provides mechanical
integrity and optical isolation from the environment.
Principle of measurement: Fluorescent dyes emit light energy at a
wavelength different from that of the excitation wavelength, which they
absorb.
Excitation peak wavelength for the (1) Acidic form of dye = 410 nm and (2)
Basic form of dye = 460 nm.
Emission spectra for both the acidic and basic forms of the dye have a peak
at 520 nm.
Due to the separation between the excitation and emission wavelengths, it
is possible to use a single optical fiber both for the delivery of light
energy to the sensor and for its reception from that sensor.
It must be stable enough to maintain accuracy for up to three days of use
within the patient.
Cost and shelf life of this disposable product must also be considered.
Dye must be able to follow physiological changes in the blood-gas
parameters and thus must have sufficient dynamic range and time
response.
Ratiometric principle/ Two wavelength approach
Used to design an optical measurement system that is independent of the
system and other parameters which include:
1. Loss of the optical signal as a result of fiber bending.
2. Optical misalignment
3. Other changes in the optical path that could be incorrectly
interpreted as changes in the concentration of the analyte being
measured.
Undertaken by selecting fluorescent dyes with two absorption or emission
peaks or by providing a mixture of dyes at the sensor tip,
One that is sensitive to the measured parameter and one that is not.
Fluorescence optical Pco2 sensor
Uses the same pH sensitive fluorescent dye as the pH sensor.
pH type sensor is used as the basic sensing element to detect Pco2.
Carbon dioxide comes to equilibrium with a mixture of a pH indicator in
bicarbonate buffer.
There is a direct relationship between the pH change in a bicarbonate
solution and the CO2 concentration in that solution. (Henderson-Hasselbach
equation).
A change in pH in an isolated bicarbonate buffer with a changing Pco2 is
measured.
This buffer is encapsulated by a hydrophobic gas permeable silicone matrix
that provides ionic isolation and mechanical stability for the measurement
system.
An optical cellulose overcoat ensures optical isolation of the sensor
chemistry from the environment.
CO2 equilibrates rapidly across the silicone membrane and causes a change
in the pH.
The concentration of the bicarbonate buffer is selected such that:
Sufficient pH change is detectable with appropriate accuracy.
Sensitivity over the physiological range for CO2, which is 10 to 100 mm
Hg.
Dye strength must be optimized to increase the signal-to-noise ratio and
there is a trade-off between iconic strength and pK.
Fluorescence optical PO2 sensor
It makes use of the principle of fluorescence or luminescence quenching of
oxygen.
In this quenching process:
Energy is absorbed and lost by various processes, such as vibration of the
molecule(heat)
Emission of the light as fluorescence or phosphofluorescence.
With oxygen present, these molecules provide collision paths and transfer
of energy to the oxygen molecule.
It competes with the energy decay modes, and luminescence is decreased
by the increasing loss of energy to oxygen.
Po2 probe is similar in design to the pH sensor.
Principle of operation:
When these fluorescent quenching dyes are irradiated by light at an
appropriate wavelength, they fluorescence in a non-oxygen atmosphere for
a given period of time.
However, when oxygen is present the fluorescence is quenched that is, the
dye fluoresces for a shorter period of time.
Period of dye fluorescence is inversely proportional to partial pressure of
oxygen in the environment.
Leads to a poor signal-to-noise ratio a high PO2 values.
High O2 levels quench the luminescence, which results in a small signal at
the detectors.
Fibers and inert beads are enclosed in an oxygen permeable hydrophobic
sheet such as porous polypropylene.
Measurement system includes both optical and electronic system.
It is designed using plastic optical fibers because of their mechanical
strength and flexibility they allow for a sharp bending radius.
Figure 2 Fiber optic oxygen sensor
Light returning from the sensor passes through a dichloric filter:
Separates the green fluorescent light from the blue excitation light.
Latter is scattered by the probe back into the return fiber.
Photomultiplier tubes are used in this application to :
Convert the light signal into a current.
Then a current-to-voltage converter is used to provide the voltage
proportional to the blue and green light.
Blue/green ratio is taken and PO2 output is calculated according to the Stern
Volmer equation.
Types of quenching base sensors:
Sensors based on transition metal quenching of ligand fluorescence
Iodine quenching of rubrene fluorescence
