Method and apparatus for performing diagnostic tests

• US 6,495,373 B1
• Filed: 11/15/2000
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Polaroid Corporation (PLR IP Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Mauchan, Donald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): SNAY, JEFFREY R
• Application Number:
  US09/713,668
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 422/52, 422/82.07, 422/82.08, 436/172, 436/165, 436/180, 250/361.C
• US Class Current: 436/165
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/645 Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/76 Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8483 Investigating reagent band test-element handling not specific to a test method G01N33/4875; analytical elements specific to chemical analysis of biological material G01N33/52; autometer with reagent band G01N35/04
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8507 Probe photometers, i.e. with optical measuring part dipped into fluid sample

Abstract

Diagnostic assay system for conducting a luminescent test and recording luminescent signals generated thereby on an image recording material. The system comprising a light-tight housing assembly, an image recording system, and an assembly for holding at least one chemical implementation device mounted in the assembly. The system also including a movable shutter mechanism and a biasing device for moving the shutter. The present invention also includes, in one embodiment, a method of conducting a chemiluminescent test comprising: providing a implementation and diagnostic testing device; placing the implementation device in the assembly; applying a force to a penetrating member; moving a shutter actuator; actuating a timer; returning the shutter; and then ejecting the image.

Claims

1. A method of conducting a chemiluminescent testing comprising the steps of:

providing a chemical implementation device comprising, a housing assembly including at least a pair of containers each of which is adapted to contain a fluid, a fluid impervious membrane sealing one of the pair of containers from the other of the pair of containers, and, a penetrating assembly mounted for movement in the housing assembly and being adapted to engage and penetrate the sealing membrane upon movement in response to a force being applied thereto for allowing fluid in the one container to mix with fluid in the other container under pressure, the housing assembly including at least a segment thereof that is transparent to a read-out signal generated in response to a reaction of the mixing fluids,

providing a diagnostic testing device for performing a luminescent test and for recording luminescent signals generated thereby on an image recording material, the device comprises;

a light-tight housing assembly including a base and a cover member, an image recording system coupled to the base including an image recording medium for recording chemiluminescent reactions thereon, an assembly for holding at least one chemical implementation device mounted in the base wherein the assembly allows a bottom of the implementation device to be in juxtaposed relationship to an image recording medium, a shutter mechanism movable between non-exposing and exposing positions in response to an operator moving the shutter mechanism, and,

placing an implementing device in the assembly so that its transparent segment is in juxtaposed relationship with the image recording material and a light-tight environment by closing the cover member and actuating assembly thereover;

applying a force to the penetrating assembly by the closing cover member and actuating assembly to thereby penetrate the membrane and force fluid from one container to the other container for generating a n intimate mixing of the fluids thereby enhancing a chemiluminescent reaction;

moving the shutter actuator to the exposing position after the cover is closed for exposing a chemiluminescent reaction in the device to the image recording material through the transparent segment;

actuating a timer for initiating a timing interval for allowing a chemiluminescent reaction to occur and expose the image recording material during the interval;

returning the shutter to the non-exposing position following the timing interval; and

,

ejecting the exposed image recording material.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of returning the shutter is accomplished by a biasing device that has been loaded when the shutter actuator moves from the non-exposing position to the exposing position.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the image recording material is self-developing film.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein after the shutter actuator is moved into the exposing condition it is locked until after the time interval.