Raman spectroscopic test strip systems

• US 7,688,440 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2007
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Prescient Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Prescient Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Clarke, Richard H., Womble, M. Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Geisel; Kara E
• Application Number:
  US11/698,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20070224683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 356/301, 356317-318
• US Class Current: 356/301
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/65 Raman scattering
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/658 enhancement Raman, e.g. surface plasmons
• 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: Y10T 436/112499 with sample on test slide

Abstract

The invention provides diagnostic apparatuses that are advantageously adapted for the Raman spectroscopic analysis of fluid samples, such as biological fluid samples, deposited on test strip substrates. The tests strips may be include a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) surface for deposition and analysis of a sample and/or may be lateral flow binding assay type test strips.

Claims

1. A Raman spectroscopy system comprising:

an input fiber through which radiation can propagate to irradiate a sample;

a collection fiber through which radiation scattered by the sample can be coupled to a detector;

an optical head assembly defining an input path and an output path,

wherein the input path comprises at least one light directing element that receives excitation radiation from the input fiber and directs it to the sample and the output path comprises at least one light collecting element that collects radiation scattered by the sample and couples the scattered radiation into the collection fiber;

wherein the input and output paths of the head assembly are at least substantially orthogonal and

the head assembly further comprises a dichroic mirror that directs the excitation radiation to the sample by reflection and transmits scattered radiation returning from the sample to the output path; and

a fluid sample test substrate receiving structure sized and configured for receiving a body fluid sample test substrate and positioning said substrate for optical interrogation via the optical head assembly,

wherein the fluid sample test substrate is a test strip, and

wherein the test strip is a lateral flow binding assay test strip.

2. A method for evaluating a body fluid sample by Raman spectroscopy, comprising the steps of:

depositing a body fluid sample on a test strip;

inserting the test strip into a Raman spectroscopy system, the system comprising;

an optical assembly defining an input path and an output path,

wherein the input path comprises at least one light directing element that receives excitation radiation from a light source and directs it to a sample and the output path comprises at least one light collecting element that collects radiation scattered by the sample for analysis, wherein the input and output paths of the optical assembly are at least substantially orthogonal, and

the optical assembly further comprises a dichroic mirror that directs the excitation radiation to the sample by reflection and transmits scattered radiation returning from the sample to the output path; and

a fluid sample test substrate receiving structure sized and configured for receiving a body fluid sample test substrate and positioning said substrate for optical interrogation via the optical assembly;

wherein the body fluid sample test substrate receiving structure is a test strip-receiving structure;

the system irradiating at least one part of the test strip to generate a Raman spectra; and

the system analyzing at least part of the Raman spectra;

wherein the test strip is a lateral flow binding assay test strip comprising a mobile phase and one or more test stripes and optionally one or more control stripes, and the system irradiates one or more test stripes and optionally one or more control stripes of the test strip.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the mobile phase comprises SERS-active particles.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the SERS-active particles comprise one or more of gold beads or gold-coated beads.