Luminescent device

• US 20060049365A1
• Filed: 01/22/2004
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LUX biotechnology Ltd. (LUX Assure Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: LUX biotechnology Ltd. (LUX Assure Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hickey, Patrick Colin
• Application Number:
  US10/542,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20060049365A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/462.100
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/04 containing natural or artificial radioactive elements or unspecified radioactive elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/08 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for photometry standard sources, also using luminescent or radioactive material
• CPC Class Codes: G21H 3/02 in which material is excited to luminesce by the radiation lamps in which a gas filling or screen or coating is excited to luminesce by radioactive material structurally associated with the lamp H01J65/00

Abstract

A luminescent device comprises a gaseous tritium light source (GTLS). The GTLS is held within a housing which may optionally be located in an outer casing. A filter, such as a neutral density filter, may be used to modify the light output to predetermined levels. The device may be used to calibrate apparatus used to measure optical output, such as a luminometer.

Claims

1. A luminescent device comprising a gaseous tritium light source (GTLS) which provides a light output of pre-determinable intensity.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the GTLS comprises 10 to 20 mCi of tritium.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the GTLS is located with an outer casing having at least one optically transparent or translucent portion.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the outer casing is steel.

5. A device according to claim 3, wherein the transparent or translucent portion comprises a neutral density filter.

6. A device according to claim 3, wherein the transparent or translucent portion is formed from glass or plastic.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises colouring means to alter the colour of the light output of the GTLS.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the GTLS is held within a housing, the housing being located in the outer casing.

9. A device according to Claim 1, which is sized and shaped to calibrate the optical output of scientific apparatus.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said apparatus is selected from a group consisting of a luminometer, a fluorometer, a spectrophotometer, a scintillation counter, a photomultiplier, an avalanche photodiode or a CCD camera.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises a scalebar graticule.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises a filter array.

13. A kit comprising two or more luminescent devices according to claim 1, each of said devices providing a light output of a distinct intensity to the other devices of said kit.

14. A kit according to claim 13, further comprising a magnetic handling tool and wherein each of said devices includes a magnetic component.

15. A kit according to claim 12, comprising three or more devices, each having a light output of a distinct intensity to the other devices of said kit.

16. A light measuring apparatus comprising a luminescent device as claimed in claim 1, housed in a sample holder of said apparatus.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, which is selected from the group consisting of a luminometer, a fluorometer, a spectrophotometer, a scintillation counter, a photomultiplier, an avalanche photodiode or a CCD camera.

18. A method of analyzing a sample, said method comprising;

i) calibrating an apparatus able to detect light output using a device as claimed in claim 1;

ii) inserting said sample into the calibrated apparatus and obtaining a reading thereof

19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the sample comprises living cells.