Methods and apparatus to improve the sensitivity and reproducibility of bioluminescent analytical methods
First Claim
1. A hand-held assay device for measuring the presence of a sample selected from the group consisting of ATP and other entity capable of generating chemiluminescence, comprising:
- a first light sensor generating a sample signal in response to detecting the chemiluminescence;
a second light sensor shielded from the chemiluminescence and generating a reference signal; and
a controller receiving the sample and reference signal to output a resulting signal indicative of the sample and determined as the difference between the sample and reference signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hand-held assay device measuring chemiluminescence generated by as ample of ATP or other entity capable of chemically reacting to generate photoluminescence includes a photodiode detecting light which is emitted from the sample to produce a sample signal, another photodiode generating a reference signal in response to environmental changes, switched integrators amplifying the sensor signal over a controllable integration time to detect an output signal indicative of the presence of the sample.
138 Citations
62 Claims
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1. A hand-held assay device for measuring the presence of a sample selected from the group consisting of ATP and other entity capable of generating chemiluminescence, comprising:
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a first light sensor generating a sample signal in response to detecting the chemiluminescence;
a second light sensor shielded from the chemiluminescence and generating a reference signal; and
a controller receiving the sample and reference signal to output a resulting signal indicative of the sample and determined as the difference between the sample and reference signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A hand-held assay device for detecting the presence of a sample selected from the group consisting of ATP and other entity capable of chemically reacting to generate chemiluminescence, comprising:
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a housing provided with a sample compartment;
a detection assembly in the housing for detecting the chemiluminescence and generating a signal in response to its detection;
a transparent window between the sample chamber and detection assembly, said transparent window being covered with a conductive transparent coating to minimize the direct injection of static charge; and
a controller determining whether a resulting signal processed in response to the signal generated by the detection assembly is indicative of the presence of the sample. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A hand-held assay device for detecting the presence of a sample selected from the group consisting of ATP and other entity capable of chemically reacting to generate chemiluminescence, comprising:
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a housing provided with a sample compartment receiving the sample;
a source of light mounted in the housing and emitting a beam of light extending along a path;
a detection assembly along the path for generating a resulting signal in response to the chemiluminescence;
a transparent window along the path between the sample chamber and the detection assembly, the detection assembly generating a calibration signal indicating cleanliness of the transparent window in response to being struck by the beam of light from the source; and
a controller having an analytical mode, wherein the resulting signal is evaluated, and a calibration mode, wherein the calibration signal is evaluated. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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43. A hand-held assay device for detecting the presence of a sample selected from the group consisting of ATP and other entity capable of chemically reacting to generate chemiluminescence, comprising:
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a housing provided with a sample compartment;
a consumable collecting the sample and removably inserted into the sample compartment;
a detection assembly located in the housing along the path and juxtaposed with the consumable upon insertion of the consumable into the sample compartment, the detection assembly generating a resulting signal in response to the chemiluminescence and generating a consumable-present signal in response to detecting the consumable; and
a controller having an analytical mode, wherein the resulting signal is evaluated, and a detection mode, wherein the consumable-present signal is evaluated.
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50. A hand-held assay device for detecting the presence of a sample selected from the group consisting of ATP and other entity capable of chemically reacting to generate chemiluminescence, comprising:
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a hosing provided with a sample compartment;
a consumable adapted to be removably inserted in the sample compartment after collecting the sample, the sample compartment being provided with a transparent bottom;
a source of light provided in the sample compartment and emitting a beam of light which projects through the transparent bottom;
a detection assembly juxtaposed with the transparent bottom for generating a first signal in response to detection of the chemiluminescence and a second signal in response to being struck by the beam of light; and
a controller receiving the first and second signals and having a first mode, wherein the first signal is evaluated to determined the presence of the sample, a second mode, wherein the second signal is evaluated to determine the cleanliness of the transparent bottom, and a third mode, wherein the second signal is determined to be indicative of the presence of the consumable.
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57. A method of measuring the presence of a sample selected from the group consisting of ATP and other entity capable of generating chemiluminescence, comprising the steps of:
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providing a first photodiode for generating a sample signal in response to detecting the chemiluminescence;
providing a second photodiode shielded from the chemiluminescence for generating a reference signal;
providing a controller receiving the sample and reference signal for subtracting the reference signal from the sample signal to determine a resulting signal; and
comparing the resulting signal with a predetermined threshold; and
displaying the resulting signal indicative of the sample if the resulting signal is at least equal to the threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61)
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58. A method for detecting the presence of a sample selected from the group consisting of ATP and other entity capable of chemically reacting to generate chemiluminescence, comprising the steps of:
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providing a housing having a sample compartment formed with a transparent bottom;
detecting the chemiluminescence and generating a signal in response to the detection;
providing a film of a conductive plastic material on the transparent bottom, thereby minimizing the direct injection of static charge; and
comparing the signal with a predetermined threshold; and
displaying a value of the signal if the signal is at least equal to the predetermined threshold.
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59. A method for detecting the presence of a sample selected from the group consisting of ATP and other entity capable of chemically reacting to generate chemiluminescence, said sample being placed in a sample compartment provided in a housing, comprising the steps of:
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generating a sample signal in response to detecting the chemiluminescence;
generating a reference signal in response to detecting environmental changes selected from the group consisting of humidity, temperatures drifts and a combination thereof;
integrating the sample and reference signals during a controllable integration period to produce integrated values of the sample and reference signals;
digitizing the integrated values of the sample and reference signals;
subtracting the digitized value of the reference signal from the digitized value of the sample signal to determine a value of a resulting signal;
comparing the value of the resulting signal with a predetermined threshold and displaying the resulting signal indicative of the presence of the sample if the value of the resulting signal is at least equal to the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (62)
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Specification