US3871767A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for determining luminescence
Assignee: Science Applications Inc
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Filing: 1973-06-20
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1993-06-20
Abstract
Abstract An improved method and apparatus for determining the amount of luminescence of a test sample which luminesces when contacted with a luminescence-inducing material is described. The apparatus comprises a sample-holding means, a light-detecting means in the form of a photometer tube, a shutter means, all of these having a housing portion which when secured together provide a light-tight environment. The phototube provides a current having a value determined by the light output of the sample. Such current is fed via an I/E amplifier to a voltage frequency converter which provides a pulse train output having a frequency which varies in proportion to the light output of the test sample. Timer means provide an initial delay period followed by a measurable integration period, the pulse output of the voltage to frequency converter being gated for counting during such integration period to provide the integral
Inventors
- 👤 Osmund Holm-Hansen
- 👤 Charles Rockwell Booth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/75; G01N21/76
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
In an apparatus for the detection of the presence of microorganisms in a test sample by means of a bioluminescent reaction comprising first means for providing a pulse train output having a frequency value which varies in proportion to the light output of a test sample as contacted by a reactant, timer means, start means for initiating operation of said timer means, said timer means being operative to provide a first signal at a predetermined delay period after operation of said start means to initiate an integration period, and a second signal at a later selected time to terminate said integration period, means enabled by said pulse train during the time period defined by said first and second signals to provide an output which represents the integrated value of the light output of said sample, and output means for providing signals representative of such integrated value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
In an apparatus for the detection of the presence of microorganisms in a test sample by means of a bioluminescent reaction comprising first means for providing a pulse train output having a frequency value which varies in proportion to the light output of a test sample as contacted by a reactant, timer means, start means for initiating operation of said timer means, said timer means being operative to provide a first signal at a predetermined delay period after operation of said start means to initiate an integration period, and a second signal at a later selected time to terminate said integration period, means enabled by said pulse train during the time period defined by said first and second signals to provide an output which represents the integrated value of the light output of said sample, and output means for providing signals representative of such integrated value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said timer means includes divider means for counting digital pulses output from a digital source, and in which said first signal comprises the leading edge of a pulse output from said divider means, and said second signal comprises the trailing edge of said pulse.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
In an apparatus for the detection of micro-organisms in a test sample by means of a bioluminescent reactant comprising phototube means for providing a current output signal having a value proportional to the light output signal having a value proportional to the light output of a test sample as contacted by a reactant, amplifier means for converting said current signal to a pulse train having a frequency proportional to said voltage signal, start means, timer meAns for measuring an initial delay period in response to operation of said start means and for providing timing signals which define an integration period of a predetermined length, and counter and display means for counting the pulses in said pulse train during said integration period and providing a digital display of the readout of said count.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
132 words
In an apparatus for the detection of micro-organisms in a test sample by means of a bioluminescent reactant comprising phototube means for providing a current output signal having a value proportional to the light output signal having a value proportional to the light output of a test sample as contacted by a reactant, amplifier means for converting said current signal to a pulse train having a frequency proportional to said voltage signal, start means, timer meAns for measuring an initial delay period in response to operation of said start means and for providing timing signals which define an integration period of a predetermined length, and counter and display means for counting the pulses in said pulse train during said integration period and providing a digital display of the readout of said count.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, which includes a sample chamber for locating said test sample adjacent the light responsive element of said phototube, said test sample being prepared by mixing of reactants external to said sample chamber, and means permitting said test sample to be inserted into said sample chamber, closing and sealing thereof against ambient light and exposure to the light responsive element of said phototube, said initial delay period being provided for operation of the last said means after said mixing of reactants.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which includes means for adjusting the number of pulses provided in said pulse train for a given voltage signal and for simultaneously adjusting the length of said initial delay period.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which includes means for adjusting said timer means to provide integrating periods of different lengths.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said means for converting said voltage signal to a pulse train include means adjustable to different positions to provide a different number of pulses output for a given voltage input.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which includes lamp indicator means connected to said timer means to provide a visual signal only during said integration period.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which includes lamp indicator means connected to said timer means to provide a visual signal indicating the digital count on said display is the result of said integration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which includes overload protection means for interrupting the power to said phototube means in response to a voltage signal which is greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus as set forth in claiam 3 which includes a sample chamber for locating said test sample adjacent the light responsive element of said phototube, slide means for selectively exposing the light in said sample chamber to said phototube, protective means for providing a signal indicating said sample chamber is open and said slide means is in a position to expose said phototube to said slide chamber, and means responsive to said signal to interrupt the high voltage power to said phototube.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus as set forth in claiam 3 which includes a sample chamber for locating said test sample adjacent the light responsive element of said phototube, slide means for selectively exposing the light in said sample chamber to said phototube, protective means for providing a signal indicating said sample chamber is open and said slide means is in a position to expose said phototube to said slide chamber, and means responsive to said signal to interrupt the high voltage power to said phototube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which includes means for connecting a strip recorder to record the output of said amplifier means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
110 words
In an apparatus for detection of micro-organisms in a sample by means of a bioluminescent reactant comprising first means for providing a pulse train which has a frequency proportional to and variable with the light intensity of the sample, start means, timer means enabled by said start means operative to provide an initial period of delay for preparation and insertion of the sample into said first means, said timer means being operative thereafter to provide an integration period T1-T2, counter means, means for selectively gating said pulse train to said counter means during said predetermined integration period, said counter means being operative to provide a count which represents the integral
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
110 words
In an apparatus for detection of micro-organisms in a sample by means of a bioluminescent reactant comprising first means for providing a pulse train which has a frequency proportional to and variable with the light intensity of the sample, start means, timer means enabled by said start means operative to provide an initial period of delay for preparation and insertion of the sample into said first means, said timer means being operative thereafter to provide an integration period T1-T2, counter means, means for selectively gating said pulse train to said counter means during said predetermined integration period, said counter means being operative to provide a count which represents the integral
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) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |