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System and method for biochemical assay

  • US 6,592,820 B1
  • Filed: 11/05/1998
  • Issued: 07/15/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for making a biochemical assay of each of a plurality of provided specimens, the system comprising:

  • a. a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle containing a respective specimen of the plurality of specimens, each receptacle comprising a surface for binding a paramagnetic particle to the surface;

    b. a detector for providing a resistance responsive to paramagnetic particle proximity to the detector in accordance with a giant magnetoresistive effect;

    c. a mechanism for positioning each respective surface in working proximity to the detector for providing a respective resistance; and

    d. a controller for controlling the mechanism and for recording indicia of each respective resistance;

    wherein the detector comprises a multiplicity of physically defined active areas for independent detecting of each of a corresponding multiplicity of specimens of the plurality of specimens;

    each active area comprises a plurality of sensors each sensor comprising an independent resistance responsive to paramagnetic particle proximity to the respective sensor in accordance with a respective giant magnetoresistive effect; and

    the controller further records indicia of each sensor;

    said plurality of sensors is arranged in an array coupled to a differential amplifier, said array is addressed by a row ring counter; and

    a column ring counter;

    each addressed cell is coupled in turn in a bridge circuit to said differential amplifier;

    said differential amplifier provides a signal that conveys indicia of the resistance of each sensor according to a sequence.

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