Apparatus and method for determining the results of assays
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for use in monitoring a change in a density and/or a viscosity of a test sample, comprising:
- a multi-beam resonator, the multi-beam resonator comprising;
a base substrate comprising a mounting zone defined thereon having a defined longitudinal length;
at least two resonant beam members, wherein each of the resonant beam members has a respective longitudinal length, wherein a ratio of the longitudinal length of each resonant beam member to the defined longitudinal length of the mounting zone of the base substrate is in a range of 1 to 9;
at least one vibratory element positioned to cause a vibration of at least one of the resonant beam members;
at least one sensor means for monitoring at least one parameter associated with the vibration of the resonant beam member; and
a reaction chamber for receiving and retaining a test sample, the reaction chamber comprising at least one inlet port to allow an introduction of the test sample; and
a reagent comprising amebocyte lysate or a synthetic analogue thereof for adding to the test sample to form a test sample mixture within the reaction chamber.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method for the real-time continuous monitoring of a change or density and/or viscosity within a test sample. Such methods can be used to determine the occurrence of a chemical reaction within a test sample where the same causes and increase or decrease in the density and/or viscosity of the sample due to, for example, a gelation, precipitation or coagulation occurring within the test sample. There is further provided a multi-resonator apparatus for use in measuring the density and/or viscosity of a test sample in which the multi-beam resonator is immersed.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in monitoring a change in a density and/or a viscosity of a test sample, comprising:
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a multi-beam resonator, the multi-beam resonator comprising; a base substrate comprising a mounting zone defined thereon having a defined longitudinal length; at least two resonant beam members, wherein each of the resonant beam members has a respective longitudinal length, wherein a ratio of the longitudinal length of each resonant beam member to the defined longitudinal length of the mounting zone of the base substrate is in a range of 1 to 9; at least one vibratory element positioned to cause a vibration of at least one of the resonant beam members; at least one sensor means for monitoring at least one parameter associated with the vibration of the resonant beam member; and a reaction chamber for receiving and retaining a test sample, the reaction chamber comprising at least one inlet port to allow an introduction of the test sample; and a reagent comprising amebocyte lysate or a synthetic analogue thereof for adding to the test sample to form a test sample mixture within the reaction chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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19. A test strip comprising:
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a multi-beam resonator, the multi-beam resonator comprising; a base substrate comprising a mounting zone defined thereon having a defined longitudinal length; at least two resonant beam members, wherein each of the resonant beam members has a respective longitudinal length, wherein a ratio of the respective longitudinal length of each resonant beam member to the defined longitudinal length of the mounting zone of the base substrate is in a range of 1 to 9; at least one vibratory element positioned to cause a vibration of at least one of the beam members; at least one sensor means for monitoring at least one parameter associated with the vibration of the resonant beam member; and a reaction chamber for receiving and retaining a test sample, the reaction chamber comprising at least one inlet port to allow an introduction of the test sample; and a reagent comprising amebocyte lysate or a synthetic analogue thereof for adding to the test sample to form a test sample mixture within the reaction chamber.
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38. An apparatus for monitoring a change in a density and/or a viscosity of a test sample comprising a multi-beam resonator,
the multi-beam resonator comprising: -
a base substrate comprising a mounting zone defined thereon having a defined longitudinal length; at least two resonant beam members, wherein each of the resonant beam members has a respective longitudinal length, wherein a ratio of the longitudinal length of each resonant beam member to the defined longitudinal length of the mounting zone of the base substrate is in a range of 1 to 9; at least one vibratory element positioned to cause a vibration of at least one of the resonant beam members, at least one sensor means for monitoring at least one parameter associated with the vibration of the resonant beam member, a reaction chamber for receiving and retaining a test sample, the reaction chamber comprising at least one inlet port to allow an introduction of the test sample. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification