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Method and apparatus for sensing the presence of microbes

  • US 5,968,766 A
  • Filed: 03/31/1998
  • Issued: 10/19/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for the detection of microbes in an environment comprising the steps of:

  • (a) directing electromagnetic waves into an environment, said electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength greater than 350 nm, whereby any microbial cells present in the environment and containing nicotinamide adenine pyridine nucleotides are excited to emit fluorescence having an energy less than the excitation energy and whereby some of said electromagnetic radiation is reflected in said environment, and(b) sensing the fluorescence and the reflected electromagnetic radiation as a measure of the amount of microbes present in said environment.

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