EP0301699A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and apparatus for determining the bioactivity of biological samples
Assignee: Utah State University Foundation
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Filing: 1988-06-23
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-06-23
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for determining the bioactivity of liquid biological mixtures. The method of the present invention involves obtaining a suitable quantity of liquid biological mixture. Once the sample is obtained, visual spectrum light is directed into the liquid biological mixture and reflectance of the light from the mixture is detected and quantified. The apparatus of the present invention incorporates a microcolorimeter with high energy source as a reflectance detector. The microcolorimeter is able to measure energy in a smaller area, such as 3 to 8 millimeters in diameter, and provide estimates of bioactivity in less than 30 minutes to 32 hours, as opposed to the 24 hour to 9 days which is typical of traditional microbiological methods. The method of the present invention could involve continuous measurements by recycling plates past the detector at regular intervals until the end point is detected. Thus, the detector could be fitted with an appropriate incubator environment which would have controlled robotic devices to receive, identify, and position plates for storage, reading and for discard. Data is collected and compared by computer. The computer calculates the desired information on bioactivity. By providing a detector that produces "tristimulus" color values it is possible to use traditional dyes used in microbiological research and testing. Even abandoned dyes could be restored to useful measurement including litmus, methylene blue, and resazurin.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary H. Richardson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 05:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01N21/4738; C; C12; C12M; C12M41/00; C12M41/30; C12M41/36; G01N33/00; G01N33/02; G01N33/04; G01N21/25; G01N2201/00; G01N2201/04; G01N2201/0446; G01N2201/12; G01N2201/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for determining bioactivity of a biological sample characterised in that it comprises the steps of: (a) directing a pulse of visual spectrum light into the biological sample such that a portion of the light is reflected out of the sample; (b) detecting the light reflected from the sample; (c) separating the color components of the light reflected from the sample; and (d) using measuring means to measure the color characteristics of at least one of the color components of the reflected light over a period of time in order to determine changes in the bioactivity of the biological sample.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for determining bioactivity of a biological sample characterised in that it comprises the steps of: (a) directing a pulse of visual spectrum light into the biological sample such that a portion of the light is reflected out of the sample; (b) detecting the light reflected from the sample; (c) separating the color components of the light reflected from the sample; and (d) using measuring means to measure the color characteristics of at least one of the color components of the reflected light over a period of time in order to determine changes in the bioactivity of the biological sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 characterised in that tristimulus visual spectrum light is employed and at least one of the L*, a* and b* values are measured.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for determining bioactivity characterised in that it comprises the steps of: (a) obtaining a biological sample; (b) directing a pulse of visual spectrum light into the sample; (c) providing measuring means in the form of a microcolorimeter for measuring the reflectance of the pulse of light after it has passed into the sample; (d) measuring at least one of the L*, a*, and b* values of the reflected light in order to determine the bioactivity of the sample.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for determining bioactivity characterised in that it comprises the steps of: (a) obtaining a biological sample; (b) directing a pulse of visual spectrum light into the sample; (c) providing measuring means in the form of a microcolorimeter for measuring the reflectance of the pulse of light after it has passed into the sample; (d) measuring at least one of the L*, a*, and b* values of the reflected light in order to determine the bioactivity of the sample.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 2 or claim 3 characterised in that at least two of the L*, a* and b* values are measured.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 4 characterised in that all three L*, a* and b* values are measured.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
31 words
A method according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the biological sample is substantially opaque and that light reflected from the surfaces of the opaque sample is measured.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
19 words
A method according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that it comprises determining the bioactivity of milk.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
18 words
A method according to any of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the sample is substantially clear.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 8 characterised in that a mirrored surface is placed on at least one side of the biological sample such that a portion of the pulse of light is reflected by the mirror into the measuring means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
37 words
A method according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the biological sample contains a dye which allows the pH of the sample to be measured by measuring the change in color of the dye.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
30 words
A method according to any of claims 1 to 9 characterised in that the biological sample contains a dye which allows the oxidation/reduction characteristics of the sample to be measured.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
31 words
A method according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that total bacteria count, pH or sterility is determined by observing changes in the color characteristics of the reflected light.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 12 characterised in that coliform count is determined by observing changes in the color characteristics of the reflected light.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus for determining bioactivity in a sample using reflected visual spectrum energy characterised in that it comprises: a container for holding a sample; means for producing pulses of visual spectrum light; means for directing the pulses of visual spectrum light into the sample; and detection means for detecting the reflectance of the visual spectrum light after it has entered the sample and has been reflected by the sample.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus for determining bioactivity in a sample using reflected visual spectrum energy characterised in that it comprises: a container for holding a sample; means for producing pulses of visual spectrum light; means for directing the pulses of visual spectrum light into the sample; and detection means for detecting the reflectance of the visual spectrum light after it has entered the sample and has been reflected by the sample.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 characterised in that the container for holding a sample comprises a microtiter well.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 or claim 15 characterised in that the detection means comprises a microcolorimeter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 16 characterised in that the means for producing pulses of visual light produces tristimulus light having measurable L*, a* and b* components at least one of which is detected by a detection means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
56 words
A system for determining bioactivity in a biological mixture comprising: at least one holder for holding a sample of biological mixture; means for producing tristimulus visual spectrum light; means for directing the pulse of light into the sample; and detection means for detecting the reflectance of the visual spectrum light once it has entered the sample.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
56 words
A system for determining bioactivity in a biological mixture comprising: at least one holder for holding a sample of biological mixture; means for producing tristimulus visual spectrum light; means for directing the pulse of light into the sample; and detection means for detecting the reflectance of the visual spectrum light once it has entered the sample.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system for determining bioactivity in a biological mixture according to claim 18 characterised in that the holder comprises a microtiter well contained within a microtiter plate comprising a plurality of microtiter wells.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 18 or claim 19 characterised in that the means for positioning the sample in the path of the pulse of light comprises laboratory robotics.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
18 words
A system according to any of claims 18 to 20 characterised in that detection means comprises a microcolorimeter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 21 characterised in that it further comprises a computer in communication with the microcolorimeter capable of analyzing the relected light detected by the colorimeter such that bioactivity can be determined.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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