Fiber-optic flow cell and method relating thereto

Abstract

The present invention is for a fiber optic flow cell. The flow cell comprises a substrate having at least one sample channel and at least one optical fiber channel holder. At least one optical fiber is disposed within each optical fiber channel holder. Each optical fiber has at least one grating wherein each grating is in contact with each sample channel, defining a sensing area. At least one sample port is positioned in an operable relationship to at least one sample channel. Alternatively, at least one sample outlet is positioned in an operable relationship to at least one sample channel. The flow cell may be of a modular design providing a flow cell kit that contains pieces that may be assembled to form custom-made flow cells. The flow cell is used for conducting measurement studies on a sample.

1 . A process for conducting measurement studies on a sample and a flow cell, the process comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a flow cell comprising a substrate having at least one sample channel and at least on optical fiber channel holder; at least one optical fiber disposed within each optical fiber channel holder, wherein each optical fiber has at least one grating wherein each grating is in contact with each sample channel, defining a sensing area; and at least one sample port positioned in an operable relationship to at least one sample channel;    b) introducing at least one sample into the flow cell through at least one sample inlet;    c) allowing each sample to flow into each sample channel;    d) measuring characteristics of the sample and the flow cell at the sensing area; and    e) removing the sample from each sample channel.    
   
   
       2 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow cell further comprises at least one sample outlet positioned in an operable relationship to at least one sample channel.  
   
   
       3 . A process according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of introducing at least two different samples into the flow cell through at least one sample port and allowing the samples to mix in one sample channel.  
   
   
       4 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the physical characteristics of the sample are selected from the group consisting of: temperature; pressure; refractive index; and pH.  
   
   
       5 . A process according to  claim 2 , wherein the physical characteristics of the sample are selected from the group consisting of: temperature; pressure; refractive index; and pH.  
   
   
       6 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of: a liquid sample; a gas sample; and a complex sample.  
   
   
       7 . A process according to  claim 2 , wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of: a liquid sample; a gas sample; and a complex sample.  
   
   
       8 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the characteristics of the sample are biochemical characteristics.