Patent · US Expired

Biomimetic sensor that simulates human response to airborne toxins

US5063164A · kind A · utility

76Cited by
4References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 29, 1990
Grant dateNov 5, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 29, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T436/205831
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention relates to a biomimetic sensor for detecting the presence of airborne toxins, such as carbon monoxide, mercury, ethylene oxide, volatile organic materials, and hydrogen sulfide. The biomimetic sensor, which has a functional life of at least one year, comprises a porous, semi-transparent substrate into which is impregnated a self-regenerating chemical sensor reagent. The response of the biomimetic sensor mimics the human response to such toxins, with respect to sensitivity and affinity. The extended functional lifetime of the biomimetic sensor and the mimicking of the human response to the toxins are achieved by the use of a molecular encapsulant that encapsulates at least one component of the chemical sensor reagent.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.