EP0202021A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Optical assay: method and apparatus
Assignee: Plessey Overseas Ltd
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Filing: 1986-04-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-04-10
Abstract
Abstract Optical assay apparatus (Figure 2) of the type comprising an optic waveguide (1; 1'; 1") and a coating (7; 7') sensitized to a specific assay species. Light signal response is enhanced by coupling a resonant metallic medium (17; 17'; 17") to the waveguide (1'; 1") and to the sensitized coating (7; 7'). To this end a metal coated transparent buffer layer (17) may be interposed between the waveguide (1') and the sensitized coating (7). Alternatively (Figure 3), a metallised optically matched grating (17') can be used in place of the buffer layer (17); or, the metallic medium (Figure 4) can be of particulate form, each particle (17") having a sensitized coating 7'.
Inventors
- 👤 William James Stewart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:58
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/55; G01N21/552; G01N21/553; G01N21/554; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N21/7703; G01N21/774; G01N21/7743; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/65; G01N2021/651; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/808; Y10S436/00; Y10S436/805; Y10S436/807
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An optical assay method comprising the following steps:- providing a coated metallic medium, the coating thereof being sensitized for a specific assay species; generating in the metallic medium a resonant signal at optical frequency, the power of this signal extending into the sensitized coating; providing coupling between said resonant signal and a monitored optical beam; exposing the coated metallic medium to a fluid assay sample; and, measuring any changes in the optical beam to detect a response to the presence of the specific assay species in the fluid sample.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
An optical assay method comprising the following steps:- providing a coated metallic medium, the coating thereof being sensitized for a specific assay species; generating in the metallic medium a resonant signal at optical frequency, the power of this signal extending into the sensitized coating; providing coupling between said resonant signal and a monitored optical beam; exposing the coated metallic medium to a fluid assay sample; and, measuring any changes in the optical beam to detect a response to the presence of the specific assay species in the fluid sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
An optical assay apparatus (Figure 2) comprising: a light source (S); a light detector (D); a propagating medium (1') arranged relative to the source (S) and detector (D) for directing light from the source (S) onto the detector (D); a buffer medium (15) of optically less dense material adjacent to a surface of the propagating medium (1'); - a metallic medium (17), having the form of a continuous metal film, on the surface of the buffer medium (15) remote from the propagating medium (1'); and, a coating (7), adjacent to the metallic medium (17), sensitized for a specific assay species.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
An optical assay apparatus (Figure 2) comprising: a light source (S); a light detector (D); a propagating medium (1') arranged relative to the source (S) and detector (D) for directing light from the source (S) onto the detector (D); a buffer medium (15) of optically less dense material adjacent to a surface of the propagating medium (1'); - a metallic medium (17), having the form of a continuous metal film, on the surface of the buffer medium (15) remote from the propagating medium (1'); and, a coating (7), adjacent to the metallic medium (17), sensitized for a specific assay species.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
An optical assay apparatus (Figure 3) comprising:- a light source (S); a light detector (D); a propagating medium (1") arranged relative to the source (S) and detector (D) for directing light from the source (S) onto the detector (D); an optical grating (19) at the surface of the propagating medium (1"); a metallic medium (17'), having the form of a continuous metal film, on the surface of the optical grating (19); and, a coating (7), adjacent to the metallic medium - (17'), sensitized for a specific assay species.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
An optical assay apparatus (Figure 3) comprising:- a light source (S); a light detector (D); a propagating medium (1") arranged relative to the source (S) and detector (D) for directing light from the source (S) onto the detector (D); an optical grating (19) at the surface of the propagating medium (1"); a metallic medium (17'), having the form of a continuous metal film, on the surface of the optical grating (19); and, a coating (7), adjacent to the metallic medium - (17'), sensitized for a specific assay species.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
An optical assay apparatus (Figure 4) comprising:- a light source (S); a light detector (D); a propagating medium (1'), arranged relative to th source (S) and the detector (D), for directing light from the source (S) onto the detector (D); and, a dispersion of fine metal particles (17"), each coated with a material (7') sensitized for a specific assay species.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
An optical assay apparatus (Figure 4) comprising:- a light source (S); a light detector (D); a propagating medium (1'), arranged relative to th source (S) and the detector (D), for directing light from the source (S) onto the detector (D); and, a dispersion of fine metal particles (17"), each coated with a material (7') sensitized for a specific assay species.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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