Fiber optic detector for immuno-testing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fiber optic detector apparatus for use in detecting specific molecular compounds in air, comprising:
- a. a chamber containing at least one photon sensing device;
b. a clear tube within the chamber having an entry aperture and an exit aperture;
c. an optical fiber within said clear tube, at least a portion of said fiber having adhered thereto a quantity of antibodies specific for said molecular compound, and antigens affixed to the antibodies having a fluorescent compound affixed thereto;
d. air evacuation means connected to the exit aperture;
which draws gas from the entry aperture to the exit aperture;
e. a filtered light source directing light into the optical fiber; and
f. an electronic package connected to the photon sensing device comprising power supply and alarm means, such that when a change in fluorescence is detected by the photon sensing device, the alarm means is activated.
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Abstract
A portable fiber optic detector that senses the presence of specific target chemicals in air or a gas by exchanging the target chemical for a fluoroescently-tagged antigen that is bound to an antibody which is in turn attached to an optical fiber. Replacing the fluorescently-tagged antigen reduces the fluorescence so that a photon sensing detector records the reduced light level and activates an appropriate alarm or indicator.
89 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A fiber optic detector apparatus for use in detecting specific molecular compounds in air, comprising:
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a. a chamber containing at least one photon sensing device; b. a clear tube within the chamber having an entry aperture and an exit aperture; c. an optical fiber within said clear tube, at least a portion of said fiber having adhered thereto a quantity of antibodies specific for said molecular compound, and antigens affixed to the antibodies having a fluorescent compound affixed thereto; d. air evacuation means connected to the exit aperture;
which draws gas from the entry aperture to the exit aperture;e. a filtered light source directing light into the optical fiber; and f. an electronic package connected to the photon sensing device comprising power supply and alarm means, such that when a change in fluorescence is detected by the photon sensing device, the alarm means is activated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9)
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7. A fiber optic detector apparatus for use in detecting illegal drugs in air, comprising:
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a. a chamber containing at least one photon sensing device;
which draws gas from the entry aperture to the exit aperture;b. a clear tube within the chamber having an entry aperture and an exit aperture; c. an optical fiber within said clear tube having a quantity of antibodies adhered thereto, said antibodies specific to the illegal drug to be detected; d. fluorescently-tagged antigens affixed to the antibodies; e. vacuum means connected to the exit aperture; f. a filtered light source directing light into the optical fiber; g. an electronic package connected to the photon sensing device comprising power supply and alarm means, such that when a change in fluorescence is detected by the photon sensing device, the alarm means is activated. - View Dependent Claims (8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification