Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for the quantitative determination of at least one chemical parameter of a sample medium, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a fluorescent substance with an excitation spectrum and an emission spectrum and which displays a fluorescent decay time (t), said fluorescent substance being non-responsive to said chemical parameter to be determined; (b) providing a chromogenic substance having an absorption maximum which can be shifted in wavelength in accordance with said chemical parameter to be determined; (c) immobilizing said fluorescent and chromogenic substances in close vicinity to each other on a substrate so that the emission spectrum of said fluorescent substance at least partially overlaps the absorption spectrum of said chromogenic substance, influencing the fluorescence decay time of said fluorescent substance; (d) contacting said fluorescent and chromogenic substances with a sample medium defining at least one chemical parameter, (e) exposing said fluorescent substance to excitation radiation, and (f) measuring a reduction of said fluorescence decay time (t) caused by energy transfer between said chromogenic and said fluorescent substances for the quantitative determination of said chemical parameter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for the quantitative determination of at least one chemical parameter of a sample medium, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a fluorescent substance with an excitation spectrum and an emission spectrum and which displays a fluorescent decay time (t), said fluorescent substance being non-responsive to said chemical parameter to be determined; (b) providing a chromogenic substance having an absorption maximum which can be shifted in wavelength in accordance with said chemical parameter to be determined; (c) immobilizing said fluorescent and chromogenic substances in close vicinity to each other on a substrate so that the emission spectrum of said fluorescent substance at least partially overlaps the absorption spectrum of said chromogenic substance, influencing the fluorescence decay time of said fluorescent substance; (d) contacting said fluorescent and chromogenic substances with a sample medium defining at least one chemical parameter, (e) exposing said fluorescent substance to excitation radiation, and (f) measuring a reduction of said fluorescence decay time (t) caused by energy transfer between said chromogenic and said fluorescent substances for the quantitative determination of said chemical parameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said fluorescent substance is 7-diethylaminocoumarin-3-carboxylic acid, said chromogenic substance is methyl orange and said chemical parameter is hydrogen ion concentration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said fluorescent substance is 8-aminopyrene-1,3,6-trisulphonate, said chromogenic substance is phenol red, and said chemical parameter is hydrogen ion concentration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said fluorescent substance is sulphorhodamine 101, said chromogenic substance is alizarin-complexon, and said chemical parameter is barium ion concentration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said fluorescent substance is rhodamine 6G, said chromogenic substance is beryllone, and said chemical parameter is magnesium ion concentration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said fluorescent substance is 2,7-dichloro-fluorescein, said chromogenic substance is catechol violet, and said chemical parameter is cadmium ion concentration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said fluorescent substance is fluorescein, said chromogenic substance is chrome azurol S, and said chemical parameter is aluminium ion concentration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said fluorescent substance is coumarin 7, said chromogenic substance is eriochrome black T, and said chemical parameter is calcium or lead ion concentration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said fluorescent substance is coumarin 343, said chromogenic substance is murexide, and said chemical parameter is copper ion concentration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said fluorescent substance is coumarin 334, said chromogenic substance is zincone, and said chemical parameter is zinc ion concentration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said fluorescent substance (donor) and said chromogenic substance (acceptor) are covalently attached to each other.