Development of a fiber optic oxygen and glucose sensor

Fiber optic sensors for oxygen and glucose based on fluorescence quenching were designed and fabricated. The prototype oxygen sensor was fabricated by coaxially grafting a hydrogel, poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (PHEMA), containing a fluorescent dye, 9,10-diphenylanthracene (9,10-D), to fused silica optical fibers. Grafting was done through silane coupling agents, yielding a graft which was resistant to hydrolytic attack. The sensor was sensitive to dissolved oxygen concentrations, due to oxygen quenching of 9,10-D fluorescence. A glucose sensor was developed by incorporating glucose oxidase, which catalyzes the oxidation of glucose, into the PHEMA/9,10-D matrix. In the presence of glucose, the matrix oxygen concentration is lowered, resulting in an increased fluorescent signal.<>