Oxygen sensor for internal monitoring of tissue oxygen in vivo

摘要

Provided is a durable oxygen sensitive probe of sufficient strength to withstand direct tissue pressures in vivo, the probe comprising a sensor chamber within a biocompatible, gas-permeable membrane containing an oxygen sensitive analyte solution producing oxygen quenchable phosphorescence when excited. Further provided is a tissue oxygen detection and measurement system comprising the probe, and methods for use of the probe and the system to directly, rapidly and accurately measure tissue oxygen levels in a patient without reliance on blood vessels or fluid protection of the probe.

主权项

1. A system for detecting and measuring oxygen directly in muscle of a patient, the system comprising:
a probe comprising:
a sensor chamber enclosed within a biocompatible, gas-permeable layer; and contained within the sensor chamber, an oxygen quenchable, aqueously-soluble, oxygen sensor comprising a phosphor solution that upon excitation emits phosphorescence, wherein refractive index of the solution in the sensor chamber is higher than that of the surrounding gas permeable layer, enhancing internal reflection, and causing the phosphorescent light to be channeled within the liquid core, rather than exiting from the sides of the probe, wherein the probe has a wall-strength to withstand external pressure within muscle, thereby allowing the probe to be suitable for insertion directly into muscle; a light source for transmitting controlled excitation light to the phosphor solution; and a detecting device for detecting light emitted from the excited phosphor.