Patent ID: 7496392

Claim:
A device for sensing a target analyte in a sample comprising: (a) an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end; (b) an optical system at the proximal end of the optical fiber comprising at least one electromagnetic energy emitter and at least one electromagnetic energy detector; (c) a sensing element attached to the distal end of the optical fiber and in optical connectivity with the optical fiber, said sensing element comprising (i) at least one periplasmic binding protein capable of specifically binding with at least one target analyte and at least one reporter group associated with the periplasmic binding protein and (ii) a polymeric matrix that is covalently attached to said distal end of said optical fiber through functional amine groups on the surface of said optical fiber, wherein the periplasmic binding protein and reporter group are entrapped within or attached to said polymeric matrix, wherein said matrix permits said periplasmic binding protein to retain conformational mobility, and wherein said matrix is adapted to transduce a luminescence change of said reporter group upon specific binding of the periplasmic binding protein to the target analyte; and (d) a tip that houses and protects said optical fiber and said sensing element within said tip.