United States Patent [m
Mauze et al.
[54] FIBER OPTIC POTASSIUM ION SENSOR
[76] Inventors: Ganapati R. Mauze, 1114 W.
Knickerbocker Dr., Sunnyvale, Calif.
94087; Lothar Rupp, Kirchstr. 2,
D-7209 Aixheim, Germany
[21] Appl. No.: 918,486
[22] Filed: Jul. 22,1992
Related U.S. Application Data
[62] Division of Sen No. 610,289, Nov. 7, 1990, Pat. No. 5,154,890.
[51] Int. CI.6 C08K 5/39; C08K 5/49;
C07D 323/00; C07D 321/00
[52] U.S. CI 524/707; 524/714; 524/718;
524/720; 549/351; 549/352
[58] Field of Search 549/352, 351;
524/707, 714, 718, 720
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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US005462989A [ii] Patent Number: 5,462,989 [45] Date of Patent: Oct. 31,1995
4,603,209 7/1986 Tsien et al 549/352
5,049,373 9/1991 Tsien et al 549/352
5,162,525 11/1992 Masilamani et al 549/352
Primary Examiner—C. Warren Ivy
Assistant Examiner—Raymond Covington
[57] ABSTRACT
A sensor (10) is provided for detecting the concentration of potassium ions which comprises a molecule which selectively complexes potassium ions. The molecule, e.g., 2,2bis[3,4-(15-crown-5)-2-nitrophenylcarbamoxymethyl]tetradecanol-14, has at least one binding site and is provided with a fluorophore group, e.g., Rhodamine-B, at that site. The molecule is one that expands upon complexation of potassium ions, such that the intensity of fluorescence increases. The change in fluorescent intensity is a direct measure of the concentration of potassium ions. A detector employing the sensor is also provided.
4,523,994 6/1985 Shono et al.
5 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
