Immunoassay fluorometer
First Claim
1. A fluorometer for taking fluorometric readings of a sample, comprising:
- an assay device for carrying the sample to be tested;
an optical energy source for exciting the assay device carrying the sample by irradiating the assay device with optical energy;
an optical energy detector for detecting energy emitted from the excited assay device due to the irradiation;
an encoded label disposed on the assay device to provide encoded sample information relating to the sample carried in the assay device;
an encoder reader for reading the encoded label;
drive electronics for positioning the assay device, with respect to the optical energy source and the optical energy detector, so that at least one of a plurality of assay zones within the sample can be tested;
a processor for controlling the operation of the test in accordance with test instructions and for processing the emitted energy detected from a given zone or plurality of zones in order to determine test results;
a ROM chip socket for accepting at least one of a plurality of ROM chips at least one ROM chip for insertion into the ROM chip socket, that stores information related to at least one of;
instrument specific operational software for one or more tests;
test specific evaluation curves;
control solution;
calibrator solution;
the accessibility of a user to change fluorometer parameters; and
expected values measured by a QC simulator; and
a bi-directional communications interface for transferring test information between the fluorometer and an external entity.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fluorometer for sensing the fluorescence of a sample utilizes an optical energy source for exciting a sample to be tested and an optical energy detector for detecting the emitted energy from the excited sample. Drive electronics are used for positioning the sample with respect to the optical components allowing a plurality of sample regions to be tested. A processor is utilized to control the operation of the test in accordance with test instructions and for processing the emitted energy detected from the sample to determine test results. A ROM chip socket accepts a plurality of ROM chips, wherein each ROM chip stores test data sets for one or more test types to be performed. ROM chips can be swapped to allow the fluorometer to be configured and reconfigured to perform a plurality of different tests. A communications interface facilitates the sharing of test information between the fluorometer and external entities.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A fluorometer for taking fluorometric readings of a sample, comprising:
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an assay device for carrying the sample to be tested;
an optical energy source for exciting the assay device carrying the sample by irradiating the assay device with optical energy;
an optical energy detector for detecting energy emitted from the excited assay device due to the irradiation;
an encoded label disposed on the assay device to provide encoded sample information relating to the sample carried in the assay device;
an encoder reader for reading the encoded label;
drive electronics for positioning the assay device, with respect to the optical energy source and the optical energy detector, so that at least one of a plurality of assay zones within the sample can be tested;
a processor for controlling the operation of the test in accordance with test instructions and for processing the emitted energy detected from a given zone or plurality of zones in order to determine test results;
a ROM chip socket for accepting at least one of a plurality of ROM chips at least one ROM chip for insertion into the ROM chip socket, that stores information related to at least one of;
instrument specific operational software for one or more tests;
test specific evaluation curves;
control solution;
calibrator solution;
the accessibility of a user to change fluorometer parameters; and
expected values measured by a QC simulator; and
a bi-directional communications interface for transferring test information between the fluorometer and an external entity. - 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)
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Specification