Photoresponsive redox detection and discrimination

• US 4,883,579 A
• Filed: 04/01/1987
• Issued: 11/28/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Molecular Devices
• Original Assignee: Molecular Devices
• Inventors: Parce, John W., Humphries, Gillian M. K., McConnell, Harden M.
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHOFER, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US07/034,036
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 436/806, 436/84, 436/501, 436/805, 436/807, 436/827, 436/904, 204/1 T, 204/412, 204/403, 324/71.5, 435/4, 435/7, 435/25, 435/26, 435/28, 357/25
• US Class Current: 257/414
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/004 mediator-assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/305 optically transparent or photoresponsive electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5438 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/805 Optical property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/806 Electrical property or magnetic property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/807 Apparatus included in process claim, e.g. physical support structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/827 Lectins
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/904 Oxidation - reduction indicators

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided for making a plurality of determinations of the local (site-specific) redox state of a liquid system, by employing a photoresponsive element, which can be independently irradiated at different sites to provide independently detectable signals.

Claims

1. A photoresponsive device for making a plurality of determinations of a redox substance capable of modifying an electrical signal resulting from irradiation of a photoresponsive element, said device comprising:

a photoresponsive element having an irradiation receiving surface;

irradiation means for irradiating said surface;

a counterelectrode;

means for polarizing said element with respect to said counterelectrode; and

means for determining the photoresponse by maintaining a fixed potential and light intensity and measuring the DC component of the photoresponse.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said irradiation means is an LED array programmed to provide light pulses.