Analyte system and method for determining hemoglobin parameters in whole blood
Inventors
Cafferty, Michael S. • Cionek, Scott P.
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10151630-B2
Publication Date
2018-12-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
An optical spectrometer for use in a COOx analyzer includes a spectrometer housing having an optical fiber housing end, a light-receiving input slit positioned adjacent the optical fiber housing end, a light dispersing element mounted to but spaced from the optical fiber housing end and positioned within an optical path along which light travels from the light-receiving input slit. The light dispersing element receives the light transmitted through the input slit and separates the light into a plurality of light beams, a light-array detector capable of receiving the plurality of light beams and converting the plurality of light beams into the electrical signal, an achromatic lens positioned in the optical path to direct the light from the input slit to the light dispersing element and to direct the plurality of light beams reflected from the light dispersing element onto the light-array detector, and a thermal-compensating means for the spectrometer housing.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an optical spectrometer for use in a COOx analyzer. The spectrometer includes a spectrometer housing having a baseplate and an optical fiber housing end, a light-receiving input slit positioned adjacent the optical fiber housing end, and a light dispersing element mounted to the baseplate spaced from the optical fiber housing end.
The light dispersing element receives light transmitted through the input slit, separates the light into a plurality of light beams with different wavelengths, and re-directs the plurality of light beams. The spectrometer further includes a light-array detector next to the light-receiving input slit, and the light-array detector receives the plurality of light beams and converts the plurality of light beams into an electrical signal.
An achromatic lens assembly is located between the light dispersing element and the light-receiving input slit. The achromatic lens assembly directs light from the input slit to the light dispersing element and receives the plurality of light beams reflected from the light dispersing element to direct the plurality of light beams onto the light-array detector.
A key part of the invention is thermal-compensating means for maintaining a position of the plurality of light beams on the light-array detector. The thermal-compensating means comprises one or more of insulation disposed around the spectrometer housing, a temperature controller assembly attached to the spectrometer housing, and a thermal-compensating lens mount supporting the achromatic lens, with the thermal-compensating lens mount disposed within the spectrometer housing.
Claims Coverage
The document’s independent claim covers an optical spectrometer for use in a COOx analyzer with an optical layout that combines a fiber-adjacent input slit, a wavelength-separating light dispersing element, an achromatic lens assembly, a light-array detector, and thermal-compensating means to maintain dispersed-light position on the detector. Dependent claims further refine the thermal-compensating lens mount and optical placement features, yielding five inventive features within the overall spectrometer concept.
Optical spectrometer housing with fiber-end and adjacent light-receiving input slit
A spectrometer housing having a baseplate and an optical fiber housing end, with a light-receiving input slit positioned adjacent the optical fiber housing end.
Wavelength-separating light dispersing element in an optical path
A light dispersing element mounted to the baseplate spaced from the optical fiber housing end and positioned within an optical path, the light dispersing element capable of receiving light transmitted through the input slit, separating the light into a plurality of light beams each having a different wavelength, and re-directing the plurality of light beams.
Light-array detector next to the input slit producing electrical signals
A light-array detector next to the light-receiving input slit, capable of receiving the plurality of light beams and converting the plurality of light beams into the electrical signal.
Achromatic lens assembly between the dispersing element and the input slit
An achromatic lens assembly located between the light dispersing element and the light-receiving input slit, having an achromatic lens positioned in the optical path to direct light from the input slit to the light dispersing element and to receive the plurality of light beams reflected from the light dispersing element and directing the plurality of light beams onto the light-array detector.
Thermal-compensating means maintaining dispersed-light position on the detector
Thermal-compensating means for maintaining a position of the plurality of light beams on the light-array detector, the thermal-compensating means comprising one or more of insulation disposed around the spectrometer housing, a temperature controller assembly attached to the spectrometer housing, and a thermal-compensating lens mount supporting the achromatic lens, the thermal-compensating lens mount being disposed within the spectrometer housing.
Overall claim coverage centers on a compact spectrometer optical architecture for a COOx analyzer: wavelength separation by a light dispersing element, imaging and direction via an achromatic lens assembly to a light-array detector, and thermal-compensating means to maintain the position of dispersed light on the detector, with dependent claims refining thermal-compensating lens mount mechanics and certain optical component placement.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?