US3814939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chromato-fluorographic drug detector
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
•
Filing: 1973-04-25
•
Granted: 1974-06-04
•
Expires: 1993-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A drug detecting apparatus including a chromatographic system for separating a particular substance from a sample solution passed therethrough, a source of radiation for irradiating the separated substance as it moves through the chromatographic system and for causing it to fluoresce and emit fluorescent radiation, an optical system for spectrally separating the fluorescent radiation according to wavelength and for focusing particular portions of the separated spectrum through an exit aperture, a photodetector responsive to radiation passing through the exit aperture and operative to develop an electrical signal commensurate with the intensity of such radiation, and a recorder responsive to the electrical signal and operative to provide an indication of certain characteristics of the substance. The invention described herein was made by employees of the United States Government and may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.
Inventors
- 👤 J Parker
- 👤 J Dimeff
- 👤 A Heimbuch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/64; G01N30/00; G01N30/02; G01N30/62; G01N30/74; G01N2021/6417; G01N30/60; G01N30/6052; G01N30/6082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
Drug detecting apparatus, comprising: a chromatographic system having a column for separating a particular substance from a sample solution passed therethrough; a source of radiation for irradiating the separated substance as it moves through said chromatographic column and for causing it to fluoresce and emit fluorescent radiation; optical means for spectrally separating said fluorescent radiation according to wavelength and for focusing particular portioNs of the separated spectrum through an exit aperture; detecting means responsive to radiation passing through said exit aperture and operative to develop an electrical signal commensurate with the intensity of such radiation; and means responsive to said electrical signal and operative to provide an indication of certain characteristics of said substance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
Drug detecting apparatus, comprising: a chromatographic system having a column for separating a particular substance from a sample solution passed therethrough; a source of radiation for irradiating the separated substance as it moves through said chromatographic column and for causing it to fluoresce and emit fluorescent radiation; optical means for spectrally separating said fluorescent radiation according to wavelength and for focusing particular portioNs of the separated spectrum through an exit aperture; detecting means responsive to radiation passing through said exit aperture and operative to develop an electrical signal commensurate with the intensity of such radiation; and means responsive to said electrical signal and operative to provide an indication of certain characteristics of said substance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
Drug detecting apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said optical means includes a reflector, a lens system, diffraction grating and means forming said exit aperture, said reflector being operative to reflect said fluorescent radiation through said lens system and onto said grating, said grating being operative to spectrally separate said radiation and direct the separated rays back into said lens system wherein rays of particular wavelengths are collected by said lens system and focused onto said aperture forming means, whereby movement of the fluorescing substance through said column causes the spectrum to sweep across said exit aperture so that the portions of the spectrum passing through said aperture change in proportion to the position of the substance in said column.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
Drug detecting apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said chromatographic system includes an adsorption column having a section transparent to said fluorescent radiation, said section being provided with opaque masks disposed in spaced apart relationship along the path to be followed by said substance as it passes through said column and for blocking radiation from said optical means as said substance passes behind said masks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
Drug detecting apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said section is generally cylindrical in configuration and said opaque masks include opaque strips at least partially circumscribing said section, said strips having a width at least as large as the maximum longitudinal length of the separated substance when it passes through said section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
Drug detecting apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said optical means includes a reflector, a lens system, diffraction grating and means forming said exit aperture, said reflector being operative to reflect said fluorescent radiation through said lens system and onto said grating, said grating being operative to spectrally separate said radiation and direct the separated rays back into said lens system wherein rays of particular wavelengths are collected by said lens system and focused onto said aperture forming means, whereby movement of the fluoresing substance through said column causes the spectrum to sweep across said exit aperture so that the portions of the spectrum passing through said aperture change in proportion to the position of the substance in said column.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
Drug detecting apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said optical means includes a diffraction grating which is operative to spectrally separate said radiation so that a single portion of the radiation spectrum may be projected through said exit aperture at a particular point in time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
Drug detection apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said detecting means includes a photodetector positioned externally of said exit aperture for receiving the portion of said spectrum passing through said aperture, and wherein said means responsive to said electrical signal includes a strip chart recorder for providing a time vs. signal-amplitude record.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
123 words
Drug detecting apparatus, comprising: a chromatographic system for separating a particular substance from a sample solution passed therethrough and including an adsorption column having a section transparent to fluorescent radiation; a source of radiation for irradiating the separated substance as it moves through said transparent section and for causing said substance to fluoresce and emit fluorescent radiation; optical means for separating said fluorescent radiation according to wavelength and for focusing particular portions of the separated spectrum through an exit aperture; detecting means responsive to radiatioN passing through said exit aperture and operative to develop an electrical signal commensurate with the intensity of such radiation; and means responsive to said electrical signal and operative to provide an indication of certain characteristics of said substance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
123 words
Drug detecting apparatus, comprising: a chromatographic system for separating a particular substance from a sample solution passed therethrough and including an adsorption column having a section transparent to fluorescent radiation; a source of radiation for irradiating the separated substance as it moves through said transparent section and for causing said substance to fluoresce and emit fluorescent radiation; optical means for separating said fluorescent radiation according to wavelength and for focusing particular portions of the separated spectrum through an exit aperture; detecting means responsive to radiatioN passing through said exit aperture and operative to develop an electrical signal commensurate with the intensity of such radiation; and means responsive to said electrical signal and operative to provide an indication of certain characteristics of said substance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
Drug detecting apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said optical means includes a diffraction grating for receiving and spectrally separating said fluorescent radiation, means forming said exit aperture, and a lens system for focusing the spectrally separated rays onto said aperture forming means, whereby movement of the fluorescing substance through said section causes the spectrum to sweep across said exit aperture so that the portions of the spectrum focused upon said aperture change in proportion to the position of the substance in said column.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
Drug detecting apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said section is generally cylindrical in configuration and is provided with opaque masks disposed in spaced apart relationship along the path followed by said substance as it passes through said column, said masks being operative to block radiation from said optical means as said substance passes behind said masks.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |