Sensor Device for Interrogation of Changes in the Contents of a Sealed Container

Abstract

A device and method allowing evaluation of the contents of a sealed primary container by means of an integral sensor which is separated from the contents of the sealed primary container yet provides information on quality of the contents of the primary container without breaking the sealed system. The integral sensor device includes a biosensor retained within a plastic construct by a gated-pore membrane. Pores in the membrane open in response to an environmental change in the primary container allowing the contents of the primary container to contact the biosensor. Status of the contents of the primary container can be determined by inspection of the biosensor, visually or via a fiberoptic probe, through the optical window of the plastic construct.

1 . A sensor device, comprising:
 a biosensor comprising a receptor bound on a solid substrate;   a sensor compartment having an interior and an exterior, and enclosing the biosensor, the sensor compartment having a surface allowing external viewing of the biosensor; and   a separation barrier comprising a barrier material that forms at least a portion of the sensor compartment, the separation barrier being selected from the group consisting of a fibril membrane, a microporous membrane and a capillary-pore membrane, the separation barrier having at least one pore that opens upon contact of the barrier material with a stimulus, thereby allowing fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the sensor compartment.   
   
   
       2 . The sensor device of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane further comprises a bioactive detector molecule and signal material. 
   
   
       3 . The sensor device of  claim 2 , wherein the bioactive detector molecule and signal material are a fluorescent receptor complex. 
   
   
       4 . The sensor device of  claim 2 , wherein the bioactive detector molecule and signal material are a fluorochrome-receptor complex. 
   
   
       5 . The sensor device of  claim 2 , wherein the bioactive detector molecule and signal material are a combination of a first fluorescent receptor and a second fluorescent receptor, the second receptor emitting detectable light of a unique wavelength on excitation by fluorescent resonance transfer by the first fluorescent receptor. 
   
   
       6 . The sensor device of  claim 2 , wherein the bioactive detector molecule and signal material are a combination of a first receptor and a second receptor, the first receptor binding a cell and the second receptor undergoing a detectable spectral change in response to material released by the cell bound to the first receptor. 
   
   
       7 . The sensor device of  claim 2 , wherein the bioactive detector molecule and signal material are a combination of two inhibited fluorescent groups linked by an enzymatic cleavage site, and wherein enzymatic action cleaves the enzymatic cleavage site and releases the fluorescent inhibition. 
   
   
       8 . The sensor device of  claim 2 , wherein the bioactive detector molecule and signal material are a combination of a first receptor and a second receptor, the first receptor binding a cell capable of releasing an enzyme and the second receptor being an inhibited fluorescent group wherein the enzyme releases the fluorescent inhibition. 
   
   
       9 . The sensor device of  claim 2 , wherein the bioactive detector molecule and signal material is linked to the membrane via a carboxyl group. 
   
   
       10 . A membrane selected from the group consisting of a fibril membrane, a microporous membrane and a capillary-pore membrane, the membrane comprising:
 a receptor bound on a solid substrate; and   at least one pore,   wherein the membrane forms a separation barrier and further comprises an interior and exterior of a sensor compartment of a biosensor.   
   
   
       11 . The membrane of  claim 10 , wherein the membrane further comprises a bioactive detector molecule and signal material. 
   
   
       12 . The membrane of  claim 11 , wherein the bioactive detector molecule and signal material are a fluorescent receptor complex. 
   
   
       13 . The membrane of  claim 11  wherein the bioactive detector molecule and signal material are a fluorochrome-receptor complex. 
   
   
       14 . The membrane of  claim 11 , wherein the bioactive detector molecule and signal material are a combination of a first fluorescent receptor and a second fluorescent receptor, the second receptor emitting detectable light of a unique wavelength on excitation by fluorescent resonance transfer by the first fluorescent receptor. 
   
   
       15 . The membrane of  claim 11 , wherein the bioactive detector molecule and signal material are a combination of a first receptor and a second receptor, the first receptor binding a cell and the second receptor undergoing a detectable spectral change in response to material released by the cell bound to the first receptor. 
   
   
       16 . The membrane of  claim 11 , wherein the bioactive detector molecule and signal material are a combination of two inhibited fluorescent groups linked by an enzymatic cleavage site, and wherein enzymatic action cleaves the enzymatic cleavage site and releases the fluorescent inhibition. 
   
   
       17 . The membrane of  claim 11 , wherein the bioactive detector molecule and signal material are a combination of a first receptor and a second receptor, the first receptor binding a cell capable of releasing an enzyme and the second receptor being an inhibited fluorescent group wherein the enzyme releases the fluorescent inhibition. 
   
   
       18 . The membrane of  claim 11 , wherein the bioactive detector molecule and signal material is linked to the membrane via a carboxyl group.