Device for Qualitative and/or Quantative Analysis of a Sample

The present invention relates to a device for a qualitative and quantitative in-vitro or in-vivo analysis of a sample by means of attenuated total reflectance utilizing at least one radiation source, an ATR element as well as a detector unit.

Known is an analysis process for strongly absorbant materials, so-called "attenuated total reflectance" (ATR), first described in 1961 by Harrick and Fahrenfort. This is a reflection method that utilizes the physical phenomena at the interface of two media of different optical density.

If a beam of light impinges obliquely into a medium having a high refraction index n.sub.2 onto an interface to an optically less dense medium having n.sub.1, the beam is reflected back if the angle of incidence .alpha. (the angle between the incident beam of light and the perpendicular on the interface) exceeds the critical angle of total reflectance. A part of the electromagnetic energy, however, nonetheless penetrates to a depth of a few light wavelengths into the optically less dense medium (surface waves).

If the energy of this part returns completely into the medium having a higher refraction index, this is referred to as total reflectance. If, however, the electro-magnetic radiation penetrating into the optically less dense medium is absorbed, the corresponding wavelengths, respectively portions of energy are missing in the reflected ray.

ATR technology is based on this principle. It requires a special optical device which usually is placed in the sample area of a spectrometer. The ATR additional element is composed of a system of mirrors which directs the incident beam into a crystal usually in the form of a trapezoidally cut prism of high reflection factor (e.g. KRS5, Ge, AgCl, or the like), which is in contact with the to-be-examined surface of the sample. In Fahrenfort's original arrangement, total reflectance occurs once at the interface between the crystal and the sample. Presently flat crystal plates to which the sample is pressed from both sides are usually employed. The radiation enters through the bevelled narrow end of the crystal, is reflected back and forth between the surfaces (up to 50 times) and leaves the same through the other narrow crystal end. This type of ATR is also referred to as "multiple reflectance unit", the method as FMIR (frustrated multiple internal reflection) or just MIR.

The previously mentioned physical principles yield the conditions and possibilities of ATR technology. The following points are criteria for the realization of an ATR spectrum:

the difference between the refraction indices of the reflection element and of the sample at a selected wavelength.

the angle of incidence .alpha.,

the absorption of the sample,

the optical contact between the ATR crystal and the sample,

the number n of reflections within the crystal,

the illuminated surface of the crystal,

the depth of penetration of the surface wave into the sample.

Quantative measurements with ATR technology have hitherto not generally been possible, because the contact between the sample and the reflection element is dependent on the pressing force, respectively on the state of the surface of the sample.

The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a device for the analysis of the composition of a sample with which both high precision qualitative and quantitative analysis can be carried out not only in vitro but also in vivo. Primarily analysis/measurement precision should be improved compared to the known devices as well as detection ability, which is an important criterium for assessment of the quality of an analysis process. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to develop a measuring head in miniaturized form which is orders of magnitudes smaller than conventional ATR additional elements.

An invented miniaturized measuring head opens totally new application possibilities extending far beyond those of the present state of the art.

The present invention is based, i.a. on the surprising revelation that this goal can be achieved by, e.g., using an ATR element of a most simple geometric shape, noteably, semi-cylindrical or hemispherical. Therefore, contrary to the state of the art, no complicatedly shaped crystals, which are usually not only expensive but also very sensitive sometimes even poisonous (KRS5|), are not required, but rather, e.g., simple, conventional plano-convex glass or plastic micro-lenses of hemispherical shape are employed.

Contrary to the state of the art ATR technology, single or multimode laser diodes (Fabry-Perot-type) having different wavelengths depending on the goal of the analysis are employed as the primary source of radiation. The invented apparatus requires, i.a., no monochromator. Single mode laser diodes themselves transmit, by way of illustration, strictly monochromatic radiation.

Depending on the emitted wavelength ranges of the laser diode(s) utilized as the primary radiation source(s), simple (usually not cooled) photodiodes (e.g., Ge detectors) are employed. The invented apparatus obviates the use of expensive arrays of diodes or photomultipliers.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention a device is created which, on the one hand, holds the ATR element, and on the other hand also serves as a mount for one or several laser diodes and, furthermore, affords photodiodes (depending on the number of utilized laser diodes) support. The plane area of the ATR elements lies in a plane (hereinafter referred to as "base") with said holding device and later serves to receive the sample substance, respectively, can, e.g., be pressed against the sample substance to be examined. The curved interface of the ATR element extends into said holding device and simultaneously closes a cavity that serves as a light trap and can be designed in various manners.

The laser diode is disposed within said device in such a manner that it aims at an angle that is larger than the critical angle of the total reflection for the respective medium at the center point of the ATR element (respectively in the case of semi-cyclindrical ATR elements the center line). A photodiode corresponding to the laser diode is attached at the same angle, however, on the laser diode of the opposite side of the apparatus. To be noted is that the incident radiation angle (on the laser diode side) and radiation angle (on the detector side) must be identical.

The same, naturally, is the case if several laser diodes are used: the holding device permits the use of (practically) any number of laser diodes and the corresponding number of photodiodes. Depending on the shape of the utilized ATR elements, they can be arranged parallel to, respectively in a circle around the ATR element. As can be readily seen, according to this principle many different constellations can be realized, e.g. several laser diodes having the same wavelength but having a different angle of radiation, or several laser diodes having different wavelengths but having the same angle of radiation, or combinations of both possibilities.

The wavelengths of the radiation emitted by the laser diodes is very temperature and current dependent. Usually, therefore, an attempt is made, in addition to respective stabilization of current and power, to keep the temperature as constant as possible. In accordance with the state of the art, this is usually realized by cooling the laser diodes with fans, Peltier elements, fluid nitrogen, or the like.

As one self-calibrating method, the primary beam of the radiation source is used for generating a self-calibrating measurement signal using a current applied to the radiation source and a current generated by a photodiode of the radiation source for the self-calibration of a temperature of the radiation source. More particularly, information about an optical output power of the laser chip (i.e., given by a current generated by the photodiode) and information about a current applied to the radiation source can be obtained during an operation of the laser diode, and such information is useable to self-calibrate a temperature of the radiation source, i.e. as a laser chip alters its optical output power depending on its temperature, any shift in current generated by the photodiode is an indication of a shift in temperature. The radiation source can be site-dependent doped laser chip which has an inner structure thereof alterable by changing a current strength applied thereto such that varying electron density can be achieved which results in site-dependency of a refraction index so that emission of several pencils of rays of a same and/or varying wavelength occurs. More particularly, change of a current varies an electron density inside of the semiconductor, which in turn causes a change in the refraction index associated with the device. For relevant known art, attention is directed to the Melles Griot Catalog, copyright 1990, p. 20-58 through p. 20-61.

The present invention is, furthermore, based on understanding that suited temperature control of the laser diodes is also possible with thermistors. This is in particular the case by utilizing barristers (PTC resistors) which are employed as heating elements to raise the temperature of the laser diode to a value above the ambient temperature not attainable solely with the laser current. On the basis of their special characteristic line, the employed PTC resistors are simultaneously utilized as control elements. A (if need be also several) PTC resistor is brought into contact with the housing of the laser diode, preferably with the flange.

Described is a device (measuring head, sensor head) for qualitative and/or quantative in-vitro or in-vivo analysis of the composition of a sample.

The invented device has the combination of the following features:

at least one laser diode is provided which emits radiation at a specific angle in

a geometrically as simple as possible designed ATR element on the plane base of which the sample substance to be examined can be positioned

as well as at least one radiation detector corresponding to the laser diode,

furthermore the apparatus contains at least one PTC resistor in order to control the laser diode.

The invented apparatus is distinguished by its simplicity which permits a very small size. This yields a wide range of possible applications of which only the use in analyzing human tissue, in particular in in-vivo examination of body fluids as well as particularly in non-invasive analysis of components of human blood (blood glucose, cholesterol, alcohol, etc.) are mentioned.

A compensation arrangement can be constructed to utilize changes in physical parameters such as temperatures, power, current strength as well as other physical parameters depending on a pressure with which a sample is applied to the ATR element, for analysis of the example. Further, the compensation arrangement can utilize physical changes in air such as temperature for analysis of the sample. More particularly, such parameters (measured by appropriate sensors) can be utilized for compensating for an influence of such parameters on the measurements, therefore to enable a better analysis of the sample.