Fluorescence detection assembly

• US 9,594,005 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2015
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pulse Health LLC
• Original Assignee: Pulse Health LLC
• Inventors: Barsic, David, Dreilinger, Rachel, Krauss, Martin, Boro, Jon, Ingle, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Mui, Christine T
• Application Number:
  US14/754,618
• Publication Number:
  US 20150377784A1
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 422/82.08, 422/82.05, 422/68.1, 422/50
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0087 Breath samples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/082 Evaluation by breath analysis, e.g. determination of the chemical composition of exhaled breath A61B5/083, A61B5/091 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/24 Housings ; Casings for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/22 in the gaseous state specially adapted for biological material G01N33/497; measuring breath flow A61B5/087
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2244 Exhaled gas, e.g. alcohol detecting
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6482 Sample cells, cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2033/4975 other than oxygen, carbon dioxide or alcohol, e.g. organic vapours
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6428 Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/645 Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/022 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/062 LED's
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/068 Optics, miscellaneous
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/497 of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4972 Determining alcohol content for vehicle safety devices B60K28/06
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/52 Use of compounds or compositions for colorimetric, spectrophotometric or fluorometric investigation, e.g. use of reagent paper and including single- and multilayer analytical elements immunological elements G01N33/54386; involving labelled immunochemicals G01N33/58; for haemoglobin or occult blood G01N33/72
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/64 involving ketones
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/200833 Carbonyl, ether, aldehyde or ketone containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/202499 Formaldehyde or acetone

Abstract

A fluorescence detection assembly that includes an emitter, a detector, a housing that defines an light chamber, a fluorescence chamber and a well, a light path that extends from the emitter, through the light chamber and through the well, and a fluorescence path that extends from the well, through the fluorescence chamber and to the detector.

Claims

1. A fluorescence detection assembly, comprising:

an emitter;

a detector aligned with a lens and a filter;

a housing that defines a light chamber, a fluorescence chamber, and a well, wherein;

the emitter is configured to emit light along a light path that extends from the emitter, through the light chamber, and into the well at a first recess; and

the detector is configured to detect light along a fluorescence path that extends from a second recess and through the fluorescence chamber, filter, and lens; and

the second recess is distinct from the first recess.

2. The fluorescence detection assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the light bath extends from the second opening and into a light trap; and

the light trap includes a first wall angularly offset from the light path.

3. The fluorescence detection assembly of claim 2, wherein:

the light trap includes a second wall connected to the first wall; and

the second wall is not perpendicular to the light path.

4. The fluorescence detection assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the housing comprises an upper housing and a distinct lower housing;

the lower housing includes at least one lower receiver tube;

the upper housing includes at least one upper receiver tube; and

the lower housing is connected to the upper housing by a threaded fastener that extends through the lower and upper receiver tubes.

16. The fluorescence detection assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the lens is a first lens;

the filter is a first filter; and

the fluorescence detection assembly further comprises a second lens and a second filter positioned along the light path.

17. The fluorescence detection assembly of claim 16, further comprising an array of baffles positioned along the light path between the emitter and the well and having decreasing diameters in a direction toward the well.

18. The fluorescence detection assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the housing is comprised of an upper housing portion and a separate lower housing portion; and

the upper and lower housing portions cooperate to define a lens pocket that houses the lens and a filter pocket that houses the filter.

5. A fluorescence detection assembly, comprising:

an emitter;

a detector;

a housing, comprising;

an upper portion having an upper flange; and

a lower portion having a lower flange, wherein;

the upper flange overlaps the lower flange to couple to upper and lower portions; and

the upper and lower portions cooperate to define a light chamber, a fluorescence chamber, and a well;

a light path that extends from the emitter, through the light chamber, and into the well at a first passage; and

a fluorescence path that extends from a second passage of the well, through the fluorescence chamber, and to the detector, wherein;

the second passage is separate and distinct from the first passage.

6. A fluorescence detection assembly, comprising:

an emitter;

a detector;

a housing comprising upper and lower portions and defining a light chamber, a fluorescence chamber, and an analysis cartridge receiving portion;

an analysis cartridge positioned in the analysis cartridge receiving portion, comprising;

a light entry window;

a light exit window positioned opposite the light entry window; and

a fluorescence window that is separate and distinct from the light entry and exit windows;

a straight light path extending through the light entry and exit windows; and

a fluorescence path extending between the fluorescence path and the detector wherein the straight light path and the fluorescence path are separate and distinct.

7. The fluorescence detection assembly of claim 6, wherein the light path is perpendicular to the fluorescence path.

8. A fluorescence detection assembly, comprising:

an emitter;

a detector;

a housing that defines an light chamber, a fluorescence chamber, and a well; and

a shroud coupled with the housing at the well and having a funnel portion configured to position an analysis cartridge into the well, wherein;

the shroud and the housing cooperate to define a light entry aperture and a fluorescence aperture;

the emitter is configured to emit light along a linear light path that traverses the emitter, the well, and the light entry aperture; and

the detector is configured to detect light emitting from the fluorescence aperture.

9. A fluorescence detection assembly, comprising:

a housing, comprising;

a light chamber;

a fluorescence chamber;

a well configured to receive an analysis cartridge;

a filter pocket configured to receive a filter; and

a lens pocket configured to receive a lens;

an emitter coupled with the light chamber and configured to emit light along a straight light path in a first direction;

a detector coupled with the fluorescence chamber and configured to receive light emitted from the well along a fluorescence path in a second direction that is transverse from the first direction; and

an array of baffles positioned along the light path between the emitter and the well and having decreasing diameters in a direction toward the well.

10. The fluorescence detection assembly of claim 9, wherein the housing further comprises a light trap having a first wall that is angled between about 25°

and about 45°

with respect to the light path.

11. The fluorescence detection assembly of claim 10, wherein:

the light trap includes a second wall connected to the first wall; and

the second wall is not perpendicular to the light path.

12. The fluorescence detection assembly of claim 9, wherein the housing further comprises a flange positioned at an interface of the housing.

13. The fluorescence detection assembly of claim 9, wherein the analysis cartridge includes a light entry window, a light exit window, and a fluorescence window.

14. The fluorescence detection assembly of claim 13, wherein the light entry window and light exit window are positioned along the first direction.

15. The fluorescence detection assembly of claim 9, wherein:

the fluorescence detection assembly further comprises a shroud extending into the housing; and

the shroud includes a pocket opening for directing the analysis cartridge into the well.