US 11,953,437 B2
Device and method for measuring multiple analyte concentrations in a measuring medium
Marc Winter, Gelnhausen (DE); Xiang Liu, Rancho Cucamonga, CA (US); and Thomas Wilhelm, Chemnitz (DE)
Assigned to Endress+Hauser Optical Analysis, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Filed by SpectraSensors, Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/445,880.
Prior Publication US 2023/0065553 A1, Mar. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. G01N 21/64 (2006.01); G01N 21/17 (2006.01); G01N 21/39 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/6428 (2013.01) [G01N 21/1702 (2013.01); G01N 21/39 (2013.01); G01N 2021/1704 (2013.01); G01N 2021/1755 (2013.01); G01N 2021/6432 (2013.01); G01N 2201/06113 (2013.01); G01N 2201/12761 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for measuring a first analyte concentration and a second analyte concentration in a measuring medium, the method comprising:
providing a device comprising:
a sample cell adapted to receive the measuring medium;
a first light source unit configured to emit a first light at a first wavelength and a fourth light at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength;
a first detector unit configured to detect the first light and the fourth light;
a functional element disposed within the sample cell such that the functional element is in contact with the measuring medium;
a second light source unit configured to emit a second light, wherein the functional element comprises luminophores adapted to emit a third light upon stimulation by the second light, the third light depending on a presence of the second analyte in the measuring medium;
a second detector unit configured to detect the third light from the functional element; and
a control unit configured to operate on the detected first light, third light and fourth light;
emitting the first light from the first light source unit into the sample cell;
detecting the first light exiting the sample cell using the first detector unit;
evaluating the detected first light using the control unit to determine a first value representing the first analyte concentration in the measuring medium;
emitting the second light from the second light source unit onto the functional element such that the luminophores are stimulated by the second light to emit the third light;
detecting the third light from the functional element using the second detector unit;
evaluating the detected third light using the control unit to determine a second value representing the second analyte concentration in the measuring medium;
emitting the fourth light from the first light source unit into the sample cell;
detecting the fourth light exiting the sample cell using the first detector unit;
evaluating the detected fourth light using the control unit to determine a third value representing the second analyte concentration in the measuring medium;
comparing the second value and the third value using the control unit; and
signaling a status of the device using the control unit based on the comparing of the second value and the third value.