Patent ID: 8323576
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A sensing assembly for sensing a target compound, the sensing assembly comprising: a sensing unit including a capillary having an inlet, an outlet, and a wall with an internal surface such that a carrier gas can move through the capillary and at least one band of an amplifying fluorescent polymer provided on a portion of the internal surface of the capillary, the band of amplifying fluorescent polymer having an axis and wherein said band of amplifying fluorescent polymer has a width sufficient to capture target compound from a carrier gas passing through said capillary; a source of excitation positioned outside of the capillary to emit a wavelength of light along a path substantially normal to the axis of the band of amplifying fluorescent polymer in such a way that the wavelength of light generated by said source of excitation passes through the wall of the capillary and interacts with the amplifying fluorescent polymer on the internal surface of the capillary to cause the amplifying fluorescent polymer to generate light that varies in intensity in response to interaction of the amplifying fluorescent polymer with the target compound delivered by the carrier gas; a light detector positioned outside of the capillary to receive the light generated by the amplifying fluorescent polymer, the light detector outputting a signal indicative of the interaction of the target compound with the amplifying fluorescent polymer; and a filter positioned between the light detector and the amplifying fluorescent polymer for passing light generated by the amplifying fluorescent polymer and for blocking the medium emitted by the source of excitation.