Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
29 words
A diagnostic means for luminometric assay of ATP, comprising a reagent carrier, optionally attached to a substrate, and a reagent for said assay in dried form on said carrier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
29 words
A diagnostic means for luminometric assay of ATP, comprising a reagent carrier, optionally attached to a substrate, and a reagent for said assay in dried form on said carrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A diagnostic means according to claim 1, wherein said carrier is constituted by a fibrous pad.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A diagnostic means according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said reagent is a bioluminescence reagent, such as one based on firefly luciferase.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A diagnostic means according to claim 1 or 2 comprising said reagent carrier attached to a substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A diagnostic means according to claim 4, wherein a sampling function is inherent in the reagent carrier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A diagnostic means according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the sampling function is obtained by a fibrous pad.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A diagnostic kit for luminometric assay of cellular ATP, comprising: a) cuvettes containing buffering solution; b) a first diagnostic means containing a bioluminescence reagent and a second diagnostic means for sampling, or alternatively, a combined diagnostic means containing both reagent and sampling functions; and optionally, c) accompanying directions as how to use the kit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
A diagnostic kit for luminometric assay of cellular ATP, comprising: a) cuvettes containing buffering solution; b) a first diagnostic means containing a bioluminescence reagent and a second diagnostic means for sampling, or alternatively, a combined diagnostic means containing both reagent and sampling functions; and optionally, c) accompanying directions as how to use the kit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A diagnostic kit according to claim 7 further comprising a diagnostic means containing a reagent carrier with a known amount of ATP standard in dried form.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for luminometric assay of cellular ATP in a liquid sample, comprising the steps: a) sampling an aliquot of said sample with a sampling element that may contain pretreatment reagents, which during an incubation period affects the ATP level of the sample to make it a more reliable estimate of the cellular ATP level; b) rapidly heating said aliquot without dilution to a controlled temperature capable of almost instantaneous inactivation of ATP degrading enzymes present in said aliquot or in pretreatment reagents and furthermore capable of an almost complete release of cellular ATP but not so high as to destroy ATP; c) transferring the aliquot from step b) above to a buffering solution together with a bioluminescence reagent; and d) measuring light emission to determine the cellular ATP content.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for luminometric assay of cellular ATP in a liquid sample, comprising the steps: a) sampling an aliquot of said sample with a sampling element that may contain pretreatment reagents, which during an incubation period affects the ATP level of the sample to make it a more reliable estimate of the cellular ATP level; b) rapidly heating said aliquot without dilution to a controlled temperature capable of almost instantaneous inactivation of ATP degrading enzymes present in said aliquot or in pretreatment reagents and furthermore capable of an almost complete release of cellular ATP but not so high as to destroy ATP; c) transferring the aliquot from step b) above to a buffering solution together with a bioluminescence reagent; and d) measuring light emission to determine the cellular ATP content.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein the heat extraction under step b) is constituted by microwave heating or steam heating.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said controlled temperature is from about 90°C to about 110°C.