Imaging immunoassay detection system with background compensation and its use
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for detecting photons generated by chemical reactions comprising:
- a. sample carrier means having a plurality of individual discrete separated areas each containing a separate and independent chemical reactant sample which will emit a number of light photons when a reaction takes place, said plurality of reactant-containing discrete separated areas being arranged in two-dimensional spaced relationship with respect to each other and having spaces therebetween;
b. photon-receiving means associated with said sample carrier means for simultaneously receiving individual photons emitted from each discrete area sample and from said spaces when photons are emitted from said spaced; and
c. signal generating means coupled to said photon-receiving means for generating signals representing a location of each of said discrete area sample and each of said spaces generating a photon, whereby the sample location of each area having a reaction, the location of each of said spaces generating a photon and said number of their photon emissions over any predetermined period of time will be simultaneously identified.
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Abstract
The invention provides an imaging immunoassay detection apparatus system and method capable of detecting multiple light emitting reactions from small volume samples simultaneously and quantifying the same.
395 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A system for detecting photons generated by chemical reactions comprising:
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a. sample carrier means having a plurality of individual discrete separated areas each containing a separate and independent chemical reactant sample which will emit a number of light photons when a reaction takes place, said plurality of reactant-containing discrete separated areas being arranged in two-dimensional spaced relationship with respect to each other and having spaces therebetween; b. photon-receiving means associated with said sample carrier means for simultaneously receiving individual photons emitted from each discrete area sample and from said spaces when photons are emitted from said spaced; and c. signal generating means coupled to said photon-receiving means for generating signals representing a location of each of said discrete area sample and each of said spaces generating a photon, whereby the sample location of each area having a reaction, the location of each of said spaces generating a photon and said number of their photon emissions over any predetermined period of time will be simultaneously identified. - 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)
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26. A method of detecting photons generated by a chemical reaction comprising:
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a. proving a plurality of discrete separated individual and independent chemical reactant samples each capable of reacting with a specific substance and emitting light photons when a reaction takes place, said reactant samples being arranged in two-dimensional spaced apart relationship with each other; b. creating spaces of predetermined size between said reactant samples, said spaces emitting spurious photons representing background noise; c. adding to each of said samples a specimen potentially containing at least one unknown specific substance such that a reaction generating photons occurs when said specific substance is present in said specimen; d. simultaneously generating first signals detecting presence of each photon emitted within each of said spaces and from any of said samples and a location of each of said reactant samples from which a photon is emitted, whereby a total number of photons emitted from said spaces and from each individual reactant sample over a predetermined period of time will be determined, and generating a background signal representing background noise. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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31. A method for detecting a reaction comprising:
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a. locating a plurality of labeled compounds onto discreet and separated areas of a carrier; b. adding to at least one of said labeled compounds a specimen potentially containing at least one unknown substance of a type which produces a reaction with said at least one of said labeled compounds when said unknown substance is present and comprises a particular substance, any said reaction generating light photons; c. individually detecting any of said reaction that may occur by simultaneously detecting location of any said reaction and number of light photons emitted by each said reaction; d. detecting any spurious photons emitted in spaces between said discreet and separated areas of said carrier and generating from said spurious photons a background noise signal representing background noise for said carrier; and e. adjusting said number of photons thereby to essentially eliminate any noise component therefrom.
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Specification