Method and apparatus for performing diagnostic testing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A portable diagnostic assay system for conducting a luminescent test and recording luminescent signals generated thereby on an image recording material, the system comprising:
- a processor including a portable, hand-held and light-tight housing having first and second openings, and a shutter mechanism within the housing and being located at an exposure station so as to be operable for operation between unblocking and blocking conditions relative to at least one exposing aperture in response to corresponding insertion and removal of a removable sample carrier from the housing; and
, a fluid processing assembly in the housing for processing self-developing film units;
at least one luminescent testing assembly capable of generating a luminescent activity;
a sample carrier that carries the testing assembly and is insertable in and withdrawable from the second opening for operating;
one of the luminescent testing assembly and sample carrier being constructed to activate the shutter mechanism to the unblocking condition when inserted into the second opening, and allow the shutter mechanism to return to the blocking condition when removed from the second opening;
whereby when the shutter mechanism is in the unblocking condition a luminescent reaction conducted on the film assemblage can expose the film through the exposure aperture; and
, an image recording assemblage is housed in the processor at the exposure station.
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Abstract
There is provided a diagnostic assay system for conducting luminescent reactions that generate luminescent signals and recording the signals on an image recording medium.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A portable diagnostic assay system for conducting a luminescent test and recording luminescent signals generated thereby on an image recording material, the system comprising:
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a processor including a portable, hand-held and light-tight housing having first and second openings, and a shutter mechanism within the housing and being located at an exposure station so as to be operable for operation between unblocking and blocking conditions relative to at least one exposing aperture in response to corresponding insertion and removal of a removable sample carrier from the housing; and
, a fluid processing assembly in the housing for processing self-developing film units;
at least one luminescent testing assembly capable of generating a luminescent activity;
a sample carrier that carries the testing assembly and is insertable in and withdrawable from the second opening for operating;
one of the luminescent testing assembly and sample carrier being constructed to activate the shutter mechanism to the unblocking condition when inserted into the second opening, and allow the shutter mechanism to return to the blocking condition when removed from the second opening;
whereby when the shutter mechanism is in the unblocking condition a luminescent reaction conducted on the film assemblage can expose the film through the exposure aperture; and
,an image recording assemblage is housed in the processor at the exposure station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A hand-held, portable diagnostic assay system for conducting and recording luminescent reactions that generate luminescent read-out signals and are recordable an image recording medium, the system includes a housing assembly defining an enclosure carrying at least the image recording medium, and an exposure opening that optically communicates the recording medium with the luminescent signal;
- a carrier assembly has one condition for receiving a luminescent testing assembly that is capable of generating the luminescent read-out signal recordable on the recording medium through the exposure opening, and a second condition in which the carrier assembly is insertable through an opening in the housing into the enclosure to form a light-tight enclosure for allowing the recording medium to be exposed with the luminescent signal.
- View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A hand-held, portable diagnostic assay system for conducting and recording luminescent reactions that generate luminescent read-out signals and are recordable an image recording medium, the system includes a housing assembly defining a light-tight enclosure carrying at least the image recording medium, and an exposure opening that optically communicates the recording medium with the luminescent signal;
- a carrier assembly has one condition for receiving a luminescent testing assembly that is capable of generating the luminescent read-out signal recordable on the recording medium through the exposure opening, and a second condition in which the carrier assembly forms a light-tight enclosure, whereby the luminescent testing assembly is in optical communication with the recording medium through the exposure opening for allowing the latter to be exposed to a luminescent signal.
- View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of detecting and recording the presence of a reagent of interest in a test sample, comprising the steps of:
- providing a self-contained processor having a luminescent testing material capable of generating a read-out signal in response to contact with a reagent of interest;
providing an image recording assembly to be exposed to the read-out signal;
introducing the test sample into the processor so that a reagent of interest can cooperate with the testing material;
exposing the image recording assembly in a light-tight enclosure in the processor to a luminescent reaction of the reagent of interest and the testing material; and
, initiating development of the exposed portion by passing it through pressure applying processing means in the processor and withdrawing the exposed portion from the enclosure by pulling on the film leader.
- providing a self-contained processor having a luminescent testing material capable of generating a read-out signal in response to contact with a reagent of interest;
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21. A method of detecting and recording the presence of a reagent in a sample of test fluid;
- said method comprising the steps of;
providing a self-contained processor having a luminescent testing assembly in a light-tight enclosure capable of generating a luminescent read-out signal in response to presence of a reagent in a test fluid sample;
introducing a test sample fluid through a port in the processor;
transporting the fluid sample to a luminescent testing assembly within the processor for generating a luminescent signal if the reagent is present;
exposing a portion of a self-developing film unit retained in a light-tight portion of the processor to the luminescent signal; and
, initiating development of the exposed portion by pulling on an extension portion of the film unit protruding from the processor, whereby the exposed portion passes from the light-tight portion to pressure applying processing means in the processor.
- said method comprising the steps of;
Specification