Optical probe

Abstract: An optical probe for the invasive measurement of the partial carbon dioxide pressure comprises an optical fiber (18)' and a pCO₂ sensor (15'). The pCO₂ sensor (15') comprises a diffusion zone with a dye-containing gel (23') which is optically sensitive to H⁺ ions and a semi-permeable membrane (30') which is permeable to CO₂ molecules, but basically not to hydrogen ions. Components of the pCO₂ sensors such as the part of the optical fiber (18') extending into the sensor or a reflector (24') are covered with a substance - preferably, with a coating (35, 36) - that is basically non-permeable to hydrogen ions. This prevents the hydrogen ions from diffusing into the sensor components, which otherwise would cause an imbalance of hydrogen ions and therefore a drift in the pCO₂ reading.

Description: The present invention relates to an optical probe for the invasive measurement of at least the partial carbon dioxide pressure (pCO₂), comprising an optical fiber and a pCO₂ sensor, said sensor having a diffusion zone with a dye-containing gel, said dye being optically sensitive to H⁺ ions, a semi-permeable membrane which is permeable to CO₂ molecules, but basically not to H⁺ ions, wherein said optical fiber extends into the sensor and is in contact with the dye-containing gel. Probes for the invasive measurement of blood parameters usually consist of at least one sensor which is connected with an associated monitor via an optical fiber. Typically, such probes comprise between 1 and 3 sensors, e.g. intended for the measurement of blood gases such as partial oxygen pressure (pO₂) or partial carbon dioxide pressure (pCO₂), or for the measurement of the pH value of the blood. All these sensors have a similar mechanical construction. The optical fiber in each sensor ends up with a gel containing a dye. The optical density or another optical parameter of said dye varies with the blood parameter to be measured. Light emitted by the associated monitor and transmitted via the optical fiber is fed into the gel and passes it. The light is then fed back via the same or another optical fiber to the monitor which contains a detector to measure light attenuation or changes in other optical parameters caused by the dye. This attenuation or change is a function of the blood parameter to be measured and the relation between attenuation, absorbance or the change of another optical parameter and the blood parameter is well-known. Usually, a reflector is positioned adjacent to the dye-containing gel, opposite to the optical fiber. In such a sensor, light transmitted through the optical fiber passes the gel, is reflected at the reflector, passes the gel again and is then transmitted back. In this environment, only one optical fiber is required for each sensor. Further, as the light passes the dye-containing gel twice, it is easier to detect any change in the optical characteristics of that dye. However, there are also other solutions like directing the light to a second optical fiber (when it has passed the gel) and feeding said second optical fiber back to the monitor. The key point in all of these cases is that the light has to pass the gel zone where its optical characteristics is altered. The end of the fiber, the gel and the reflector are surrounded by a semipermeable or selective membrane (for example, a hydrogen ion permeable envelope in the case of a pH sensor). This membrane permits, on the one hand, only selected ions or molecules to reach the dye-containing gel; on the other hand, it has a mechanical function, namely to keep the gel in place. In the terms of this description, and as it is usual in the art, the region of the dye-containing gel, together with the part of the membrane in this region, is called "diffusion zone". It has to be pointed out that an optical probe as described herein usually comprises three or even more sensors in order to measure various blood parameters with one probe. In these cases, the single optical fibers associated with the respective sensors are combined in a single cable for connection with the associated monitor. However, it is also possible to build an optical probe with one or two sensors only. An optical probe as described herein can be introduced into a patient's artery to measure - depending on the dye - various blood parameters such as pH, pO₂ or pCO₂, as described above. It is also possible to integrate further components such as a strain-relieving wire, an arterial pressure sensor or the like into the probe. For a more detailed description of invasive fiber optic blood parameter measurement, reference is made to "Optical Fluorescence and its Application to an Intravascular Blood Gas Monitoring System", IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, Vol. BME-33, No. 2, February 1986, pages 117 ff., and "A Miniature Fiber Optic pH Sensor for Physiological Use", Journal of Biomedical Engineering, May 1980, pages 141 ff. The construction of an optical probe incorporating multiple sensors is e.g. described in European patent applications 2 79 004, 3 36 984 and 3 36 985. The present invention deals with the pCO₂ sensor of such a probe. PCO₂ sensors use the same dye and the same gel as pH sensors, namely a dye which is sensitive to H⁺ ions. The major difference between a pH sensor and a pCO₂ sensor is that, in the case of a pH sensor, the selective membrane surrounding the sensor is permeable to H⁺ ions, whereas, in the case of a pCO₂ sensor, the membrane is permeable to CO₂ molecules (and not to H⁺ ions). According to the following, simplified equation: H₂O + CO₂  H₂CO₃  H⁺ + HCO₃⁻  2H⁺ + CO₃²⁻, CO₂ molecules penetrating into the dye-containing gel increase the number of available H⁺ ions, which, in turn, changes the optical characteristics of the dye. Therefore, the pCO₂ sensor measures effectively a pH change which is caused by a change of the pCO₂. The present invention deals with an improvement of the measurement accuracy of the pCO₂ sensor. Extensive series of tests have shown that the known pCO₂ sensors show a time-dependent drift even when the external CO₂ pressure applied to the sensor is held constant. More specifically, if the external CO₂ pressure is increased by a certain amount (e.g. by means of a step function), then the pCO₂ reading based on the pCO₂ sensor is initially correct, but then shows a deviation over time leading to inaccurate measurement results. This effect will be discussed in more detail below. Based on the above observation, it is a major contribution of the present invention that the inventors have recognized that, in a pCO₂ sensor of the type described above, H⁺ ions may diffuse in various mechanical components and parts of the pCO₂ sensor, particularly in components consisting of glass, but also in other components. The result of such diffusion is a reduction of H⁺ ions in the diffusion zone, which causes an increase of the pH value and therefore a decrease of the measured pCO₂ value. In other words: an increase of the externally applied CO₂ pressure causes a corresponding increase of the measured pCO₂ value, but the measured pCO₂ value then shows a drift over time to lower pCO₂ values. This effect is only present in the pCO₂ sensor, not in the pH sensor. The reason is that the pCO₂ sensor constitutes, with regard to the H⁺ ions, a closed system, i.e. diffusion of H⁺ ions into various sensor components leads to a decrease of the number of available H⁺ ions. Such decrease is not compensated. On the contrary, the pH sensor is covered with a membrane permeable to H⁺ ions, so that a decrease in H⁺ ions in the diffusion zone leads to an increase in H⁺ ion transport from the environment through the membrane to the dye-containing gel. In other words, the pH sensor is - in contrast to the pCO₂ sensor - an "open system" with respect to the H⁺ ions. Based on the above findings, it is a major objective of the present invention to provide an optical probe with a pCO₂ sensor which always gives an accurate reading and, in particular, shows no or only a small drift. According to the invention, this problem is solved in an optical probe of the kind described above in that at least the optical fiber is covered by a substance that is basically non-permeable to H⁺ ions at least in an area where it is in contact with the dye-containing gel. According to another solution wherein the optical probe comprises an optical reflector positioned opposite to the fiber with respect to the dye-containing gel, the reflector is covered with a coating that is basically non-permeable to H⁺ ions. Such coating prevents H⁺ ions from diffusing into components of the pCO₂ sensor protected by such coating. Therefore, the amount of available H⁺ ions in the diffusion zone of the pCO₂ sensor remains constant, so that in fact the sensor shows no or only a neglectable drift. This increases the accuracy and reliability of the sensor and the probe. It has to be pointed out that the inventive effect may be obtained by any substance suited to prevent H⁺ ions from diffusing into the components of the sensor by coating these components. It is also possible to coat only those parts or components of the sensor which show a considerable tendency to attract H⁺ ions, or simply to coat all components of the sensor. Extensive tests have shown that in fact glass is the most crucial material. In all known pCO₂ sensors, glass fibers have been used for the optical transmission between the monitor and the probe. The glass fiber extends into the sensor and is in contact with the dye-containing gel. The above tests revealed that the most significant effects, in terms of reduction of the drift, can be obtained if the part of the glass fiber extending into the sensor is coated with a material that is basically non-permeable to H⁺ ions. The appropriate coating of a glass fiber is therefore a major aspect of the present invention. However, there are further components of the sensor which influence the CO₂ drift. An important component in this respect is the optical reflector comprised in most pCO₂ sensors. This reflector is preferably made of metal, e.g. platinum or stainless steel. It is arranged opposite to the fiber with respect to the dye-containing gel. The surface facing the gel is usually polished. However, there are alternative embodiments, like using a glass reflector with an evaporated reflective film or the like. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, such reflector is also covered with a coating that is basically non-permeable to H⁺ ions thus reducing the CO₂ drift. Surprisingly, it has further been found that the drift may also be reduced if the optical fibers are made of plastic, i.e. by using a plastic fiber. There have already been attempts to use plastic fibers in pH sensors in the early days of the development of intravascular blood sensors, see "A Miniature Fiber Optic pH Sensor for Physiological Use", Journal of Biomedical Engineering, May 1980, Pages 141 ff. However, nobody proposed to use them in pO₂ or pCO₂ sensors, and later plastic fibers were generally refused due to their transmission characteristics; instead, glass fibers were used (see "Optical Fluorescence and its Application to an Intravascular Blood Gas Monitoring System", IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, Vol. BME-33, No. 2, February 1986, page 117, 119). It is understood that, even if plastic fibers are used, a coating covering the proximal portion of the fiber may further reduce the drift. In case a coating is used to make the components of the pCO₂ sensor resistant against hydrogen ion diffusion, such coating may be obtained in different ways. For example, tests have shown that a reduction of the drift may be obtained by the use of hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) on the surface of a glass fiber. This leads to a chemical bonding of functional groups to the glass surface which makes it hydrophobic. Other silylating agents can be used as well. An even more considerable improvement could be obtained by using a silicone or a copolymer of silicone and polycarbonate for the coating of the glass fiber. Tests have shown that such coating reduces the measurable drift four to five times. However, it should be emphasized that the present invention is not limited to a certain kind of coating. The above materials are given as examples only; in fact, the invention relates to any material suited to prevent hydrogen ions from diffusing into the components of the pCO₂ sensor. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an optical probe, wherein at least the gel-contacting portion of the optical fiber and/or the optical reflector are covered with a coating that is basically non-permeable to H⁺ ions before the pCO₂ sensor and the optical probe are assembled. The invention will now be explained, with reference to the enclosed drawings, by means of a non-limiting example. In the drawings, Fig. 1 depicts the basic operating principle of an optical system for the invasive measurement of blood parameters, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of an optical probe comprising a multiplicity of blood parameter sensors, Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of a prior art pCO₂ sensor comprised in the probe of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a diagram depicting the effect of CO₂ drift in a prior art pCO₂ sensor, and Fig. 5 depicts a pCO₂ sensor for use in a probe according to the present invention. Fig. 1 depicts a system for the invasive measurement of blood parameters, for example of the partial carbon dioxide pressure (pCO₂). The light of an optical transmitter 1 is directed into an optical fiber 2 (see arrow 2a), here a glass fiber. Usually a train of light pulses is used, but this is not a strict requirement. The light passes an optical coupler 3 and reaches tip 4 of the sensor, said tip being intended for introduction into the artery of a patient. Tip 4 of the sensor contains a gel into which a dye such as phenolred is immobilized. Said dye modifies at least one optical parameter, preferably the intensity, of the light depending on the pCO₂ (or, in other cases, the pO₂ or the pH) value of the blood. The modified light is reflected into the same fiber and, after passing through optical coupler 3, reaches an optical receiver 5 (see arrow 5a). It is understood that optical transmitter 1 and optical receiver 5 are incorporated into a monitor or other measuring instrument. Dashed line 6 indicates a releasable connection between the probe 7 and the monitor 8. Thus, the optical probe consists of an optical fiber as well as at least a pCO₂ sensor. As will be shown in more detail below, the optical probe comprises usually a multiplicity of sensors and optical fibers. Fig. 2 depicts a longitudinal section of the probe tip 9 of an optical probe comprising three sensors. A sheath 10 is closed at its outer end (proximal end) with a metal cap 11 and connected, as shown by 12, with a tubing element 13. The connection between sheath 12 and tubing element 13 is secured by adhesive means. Tubing element 13 ends (not shown) at a connector for connection to an appropriate monitor. Sheath 12 contains three sensors, two of which are shown in Fig. 2, namely a pH sensor 14 and a pCO₂ sensor 15. A third sensor, namely a pO₂ sensor, is not shown in Fig. 2 as it is hidden behind pCO₂ sensor 15. Each of the sensors is connected with the associated monitor via an optical fiber, as shown by optical fiber 16 (which is surrounded by an appropriate envelope 17) for the case of pH sensor 14 in Fig. 2; likewise, reference number 18 relates to the optical fiber of pCO₂ sensor 15, and reference number 19 to the envelope of this fiber. The various sensors are fastened within sheath 10 by means of a silicone glue or adhesive 20. Sheath 10 further comprises three openings, the first of which is labeled as 21 in Fig. 2, whereas the second opening 22 is hidden behind the pCO₂ sensor 15. The third opening is not shown in Fig. 2; it is contained in the broken-away part. These openings ensure that, when the probe tip is introduced into a patient's artery, the sensors are in contact with the blood thus allowing gas molecules and hydrogen ions to reach the sensors. PCO₂ sensor 15 further comprises a dye-containing gel 23 and an optical reflector 24. The region where dye-containing gel 23 is located is also called "diffusion zone". Sensor 15 is, insofar as contained in sheath 10, surrounded by a semi-permeable membrane 25 which is fixed on optical fiber 18 and reflector 24 by means of a further glue or adhesive, as will be explained later. In similar manner, pH sensor 14 comprises a dye-containing gel 26, a reflector 27 and a semi-permeable membrane 28. It is understood that the probe depicted in Fig. 2 is only a typical example for an invasive optical blood parameter probe. In other embodiments, the probe comprises only one or two sensors or even more elements, such as a strain relieving wire. The operation of the sensors will now be explained by means of Fig. 3 which shows a longitudinal section through pCO₂ sensor 15. The mechanical construction of pCO₂ sensor 15 is typical for sensors of this type; the pO₂ and the pH sensor have a similar construction. According to Fig. 3, pCO₂ sensor 15 comprises a glass fiber 18 and an optical reflector 24. Optical reflector 24 is made of stainless steel, and its surface 29 is polished. Between the optical fiber and the reflector, a gel 23 is located. This gel is used to immobilize a dye such as phenolred, the optical characteristics of which varies with the blood parameter - in this case, CO₂ - to be measured. The sensor is surrounded by a semi-permeable or selective membrane 25 which is fastened on the sensor by means of a glue 30. This selective membrane is permeable to the ions or gas molecules to be measured. In case of the pCO₂ sensor shown in Fig. 3, the selective membrane is permeable to CO₂ molecules. In operation, light guided in optical fiber 18 reaches dye-containing gel 23, the absorption spectrum of said dye (for example, phenolred) being dependent on the pH value. Due to the equation H₂O + CO₂  H₂CO₃  H⁺ + HCO₃⁻  2H⁺ + CO₃²⁻, a change in the concentration of CO₂ molecules causes a change in the concentration of H⁺ ions, which in turn alters the optical characteristics of the dye. The light is then reflected at the polished surface 29 of optical reflector 24. It passes the dye-containing gel again in reverse direction and is then fed back into optical fiber 18. The associated monitor measures the intensity of the reflected light to determine the pH change and thus the pCO₂ change. The preferred material for selective membrane 30 is - in case of a pCO₂ sensor - polypropylene comprising a silicone coating. Fig. 4 depicts a diagram which illustrates a typical drift effect of the pCO₂ sensor. This diagram has been recorded in a test environment, i.e. the pCO₂ sensor has been exposed to an artificial CO₂ environment. Dashed line 31 indicates the partial carbon dioxide pressure of the artificial environment, whereas continuous line 32 depicts the sensor response, i.e. the pCO₂ reading of a sensor. The abscissa in Fig. 4 shows the time and is scaled in hours, whereas the ordinate shows the partial carbon dioxide pressure (scaled in kPa as well as in Torr). The diagram in Fig. 4 shows that the pCO₂ sensor reacts accurately when the external pCO₂ value is suddenly increased at t = 10 hours, i.e. the pCO₂ reading is 13.33 kPa, as is the external carbon dioxide pressure (reference number 33). However, although the external CO₂ pressure is held constant over the next four hours, the pCO₂ reading of the sensor shows a significant drift or deviation over this time period. That is, the indicated pCO₂ value deviates more and more from the externally applied value. A similar effect can be observed when the external CO₂ pressure is reduced to 2.67 kPa again at t = 14 hours. The pCO₂ reading of the sensor depicts a significant undershoot at this point in time (reference number 34); during the next four hours, the reading returns again to the external value. It is an important finding of the present invention that these drift effects are caused by a diffusion of H⁺ ions into certain components of the sensor, particularly the glass fiber, but also the reflector. As the pCO₂ sensor is a closed system with respect to H⁺ ions - i.e. the imbalance caused by diffusion of H⁺ ions is not compensated by further supply of H⁺ ions from the environment (this is the case because only CO₂ molecules, but no H⁺ ions pass the semi-permeable membrane) - the diffusion of H⁺ ions leads to a reduction of H⁺ ions available in the diffusion zone and therefore to an increase of the pH value, which is equivalent to a decrease of the indicated pCO₂ pressure. Based on this finding, the present invention proposes to coat the optical fiber and/or the reflector with a coating that is basically non-permeable to H⁺ ions. A sensor manufactured in this way is shown in longitudinal section in Fig. 5. The reference numbers in Fig. 5 are the same as in Fig. 3 with the exception of an additional apostrophe, in order to indicate that the components are basically the same. The major difference is that, in the environment of Fig. 5, the part of optical fiber 18' extending into the sensor is covered by a coating 35. Likewise, the reflector 24' is covered by a coating 36. The major property of coatings 35 and 36 is that they are basically non-permeable to H⁺ ions. Thus, hydrogen ions can be prevented from diffusing into these components. This stabilizes the pCO₂ sensor and avoids basically the drift effect shown in Fig. 4. A preferred material for coatings 35 and 36 is PS099, a copolymer consisting of silicone and polycarbonate, as well as PS254, a similar copolymer. A reduction of the CO₂ drift could also be obtained by the use of hexamethyldisilazane which modifies the glass surface such that it becomes hydrophobic by the bonding of functional groups. The term "coating" as used in this description means also such modification of a surface. The effect of such coating has been verified in a standardized test. In this test, the externally applied CO₂ was increased from 3% to 15%, and then the average drift of the pCO₂ sensor reading over the first 12 hours was determined. The test revealed the following average drift values: Material Average drift Glass fiber without coating 3.87 kPa/12h = 29 Torr/12h Glass fiber with nonhygroscopic surface (Hexamethyldisilazane) 2.8 kPa/12h = 21 Torr/12h Glass fiber with PS099 coating 1.07 kPa/12h = 8 Torr/12h Glass fiber with PS254 coating 0.8 kPa/12h = 6 Torr/12h It should be emphasized that the invention is not limited to the use of the substances mentioned above. The crucial point is whether the substance is suited to prevent hydrogen ions from diffusing into the sensor components. Further, it is not mandatory to coat all of the sensor components in order to reduce the drift drastically. H⁺ ions may also be prevented from diffusing into sensor components by using an appropriate physical or chemical mixture for the sensor components or glue 25'. Last not least, the optical fiber may also be a plastic fiber, either coated or uncoated (Figs. 3 or 5). In case of an uncoated plastic fiber, the above mentioned standardized test revealed the following results: Material Average drift Plastic fiber without coating 1.2 kPa/12h = 9 Torr/12h

Claims: Optical probe for the invasive measurement of at least the partial carbon dioxide pressure (pCO₂), comprising an optical fiber (18') and a pCO₂ sensor (15'), said sensor having (1.1) a diffusion zone with a dye-containing gel (23'), said dye being optically sensitive to H⁺ ions, (1.2) a semi-permeable membrane (30') which is permeable to CO₂ molecules, but basically not to H⁺ ions, wherein (1.3) said optical fiber (18') extends into the sensor (15') and is in contact with the dye-containing gel, characterized in that (1.4) at least the optical fiber (18') is covered by a substance that is basically non-permeable to H⁺ ions at least in an area where it is in contact with the dye-containing gel (23'). Optical probe according to claim 1, wherein said optical fiber (18') is a glass fiber, characterized in that at least the part of the glass fiber (18') extending into the sensor (15') is covered with a coating (35) that is basically non-permeable to H⁺ ions. Optical probe for the invasive measurement of at least the partial carbon dioxide pressure (pCO₂), comprising an optical fiber (18') and a pCO₂ sensor (15'), said sensor having (3.1) a diffusion zone with a dye-containing gel (23'), said dye being optically sensitive to H⁺ ions, (3.2) a semi-permeable membrane (30') which is permeable to CO₂ molecules, but basically not to H⁺ ions, wherein (3.3) said optical fiber (18') extends into the sensor (15') and is in contact with the dye-containing gel, (3.4) an optical reflector (24') positioned opposite to the fiber (18') with respect to the dye-containing gel (23'), characterized in that (3.5) the reflector (24') is covered with a coating (36) that is basically non-permeable to H⁺ ions. Optical probe according to claim 3, characterized in that the optical reflector (24') consists of metal, preferably stainless steel. Optical probe according to claim 1, 3 or 4, characterized in that said optical fiber (18') is a plastic fiber. Optical probe according to claim 5, characterized in that at least the part of the plastic fiber extending into the sensor (15') is covered with a coating that is basically non-permeable to H⁺ ions. Optical probe according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the semi-permeable membrane is fastened on the sensor by a glue (25'), characterized in that said glue (25') is mixed with or composed of a substance that is basically non-permeable to H⁺ ions. Optical probe according to at least one of claims 1 to 4 or 6 to 7, characterized in that said substance is silicone or a copolymer of silicone and polycarbonate. Optical probe according to any of claims 2, 3 or 6, characterized in that said coating consists basically of a silylating agent, in particular hexamethyldisilazane. Method for manufacturing an optical probe according to claims 1 or 3, characterized in that at least the gel-contacting portion of the optical fiber (18') and/or the optical reflector (24') are covered with a coating (35,36) that is basically non-permeable to H⁺ ions before the pCO₂ sensor (15') and the optical probe are assembled.

Inventors: GUENTHER MARTIN, RUPP LOTHAR, WUNDERLING MARTIN, GUENTHER, MARTIN, RUPP, LOTHAR, WUNDERLING, MARTIN, Günther, Martin
Applicants: HEWLETT PACKARD GMBH, HEWLETT-PACKARD GMBH
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A61B5
IPC codes: A61B5, A61B10