Method of using a micro optical sensor device

Abstract

A method of using a sensor device for measuring a concentration of a substance within a sample includes inserting a tip portion of a sensor into a sample. The sensor has an optical transmission member having a first end and a second end. The second end has the tip portion attached thereto and an active material incorporated within the tip portion. The active material is capable of interacting with a substance within the sample. The method includes producing a reflected beam of light from the interaction of the active material with the substance within the sample, the reflective beam of light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The method includes determining the concentration of the substance based on the reflected beam of light.

1 . A method of using a sensor device for measuring a concentration of a substance within a sample comprising the steps of: 
 inserting a tip portion of a sensor into a sample, the sensor comprising an optical transmission member having a first end and a second end, the second end having the tip portion attached thereto and an active material incorporated within the tip portion, the active material capable of interacting with a substance within the sample;    emitting a beam of light into the first end of the sensor, through the optical transmission member and the tip portion and into the sample, the beam of light having a first wavelength;    producing a reflected beam of light from the interaction of the active material with the substance within the sample, the reflected beam of light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength;    receiving the reflected beam of light and producing a signal indicative of the reflected beam of light; and    determining the concentration of the substance within the sample based on the produced signal.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of preselecting the active material to interact with the substance within the sample.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optical transmission member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a fiber optic, organic polymers, inorganic alkoxysilanes, lead borosilicate, fused silica, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substance to be measure is glucose.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample is a human.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of forming the sensor with a pencil shaped and sized body having a tip portion, a central body, and an end cap.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of forming the tip portion to comprise a biologically active compound that is immobilized in an environment that is optically reactive.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of forming the tip portion to be shaped and adapted to be inserted into a cell without damaging the cell.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the forming step comprises forming the tip portion to have a diameter less than 30 microns.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the diameter is less than 20 microns.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the diameter is less than 10 microns.  
   
   
       12 . A method of using a sensor device for measuring a concentration of a substance within a sample comprising the steps of: 
 inserting a tip portion of a sensor into a sample, the sensor comprising an optical transmission member having a first end and a second end, the second end having the tip portion attached thereto and a first active material and a second active material incorporated within the tip portion, the first active material capable of interacting with a first substance within the sample, the second active material capable of interacting with a second substance within the sample;    emitting a beam of light into the first end of the sensor, through the optical transmission member and the tip portion and into the sample, the beam of light having a first wavelength;    reflecting a first reflected beam of light off of the first active material, the first reflected beam of light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength of the emitted beam of light, the first reflected beam of light relating to a concentration of the first substance within the sample;    reflecting a second reflected beam of light off of the second active material, the second reflected beam of light having a third wavelength different from the first wavelength of the emitted beam of light and the second wavelength of the first reflected beam of light, the second reflected beam of light relating to a concentration of the second substance within the sample;    detecting the first and second reflected beams of light; and    determining a concentration of the first substance within the sample from the first detected reflected beam of light, and a concentration of the second substance within the sample from the second detected reflected beam of light.