Chemical sensing device

Abstract

This invention relates to a chemical sensing device for detecting an analyte. The device comprises a light source, at least one luminescent reagent which is capable of luminescing when irradiated by the light source wherein the luminescence of the luminescent reagent is modifiable by the analyte thereby changing the generation of heat, which change in heat generation is proportional to the concentration of the analyte, a transducer having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes which is capable of transducing the change in heat to an electrical signal, and a detector which is capable of converting the electrical signal into an indication of the concentration of the analyte. The invention also relates to a method for detecting an analyte.

1 . A chemical sensing device for detecting an analyte, comprising
 a light source,   at least one luminescent reagent which is capable of luminescing when irradiated by the light source wherein the luminescence of the luminescent reagent is modifiable by the analyte thereby changing the generation of heat, which change in heat generation is proportional to the concentration of the analyte,   a transducer having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes which is capable of transducing the change in heat to an electrical signal,   a detector which is capable of converting the electrical signal into an indication of the concentration of the analyte.   
     
     
         2 . A chemical sensing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the luminescence is quenchable by the analyte thereby increasing the generation of heat, which increase in heat generation being proportional to the concentration of the analyte. 
     
     
         3 . A chemical sensing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the luminescence is enhancable by the analyte thereby decreasing the generation of heat, which decrease in heat generation being proportional to the concentration of the analyte. 
     
     
         4 . A chemical sensing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the luminescent reagent is interconvertable between two chemical forms having different luminescence properties by reaction or combination with the analyte. 
     
     
         5 . A chemical sensing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the luminescent reagent is mounted on the transducer. 
     
     
         6 . A chemical sensing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the luminescent reagent is adsorbed on, entrapped within or immobilised upon a support material. 
     
     
         7 . A chemical sensing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the luminescent reagent is a fluorescent reagent. 
     
     
         8 . A chemical sensing device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an additional reagent which is capable of reacting with a second analyte to change the local concentration of the first analyte thereby modifying the luminescence of the luminescent reagent to provide an indication of the concentration of the second analyte. 
     
     
         9 . A chemical sensing device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the first analyte is oxygen, the second analyte is glucose and the second reagent is glucose oxidase. 
     
     
         10 . A chemical sensing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the luminescent reagent is a combination of a light-absorbing component and a luminescent component where the light-absorbing component absorbs light and then excites the luminescent component indirectly by energy transfer. 
     
     
         11 . A method for detecting an analyte, comprising
 irradiating at least one luminescent reagent,   exposing the luminescent reagent to a sample wherein, in the presence of the analyte, the luminescence is modified by the analyte thereby changing the amount of heat generated which change in heat generation is proportional to the concentration of the analyte,   transducing the change in heat to an electrical signal using a transducer having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes, and   converting the electrical signal into an indication of the concentration of the analyte.   
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the analyte quenches the luminescence of the luminescent reagent thereby increasing the generation of heat, which increase in heat generation being proportional to the concentration of the analyte. 
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the analyte enhances the luminescence of the luminescent reagent thereby decreasing the generation of heat, which decrease in heat generation being proportional to the concentration of the analyte. 
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the analyte converts the luminescent reagent from one chemical form to another chemical form where the two chemical forms have different luminescence properties. 
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein a second reagent reacts with a second analyte to change the local concentration of the first analyte thereby modifying the luminescence of the luminescent reagent to provide an indication of the concentration of the second analyte. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein a second reagent reacts with a second analyte to change the local concentration of the first analyte thereby modifying the luminescence of the luminescent reagent to provide an indication of the concentration of the second analyte. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein a second reagent reacts with a second analyte to change the local concentration of the first analyte thereby modifying the luminescence of the luminescent reagent to provide an indication of the concentration of the second analyte. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein a second reagent reacts with a second analyte to change the local concentration of the first analyte thereby modifying the luminescence of the luminescent reagent to provide an indication of the concentration of the second analyte.