US3928140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and process for testing microparticle response to its environment
Assignee: Bayer Corp
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Filing: 1974-05-10
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Granted: 1975-12-23
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Expires: 1994-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A differential light scattering photometer is disclosed for testing samples of bacteria in suspension. A plurality of cuvettes containing the samples are placed in a cuvette holder or carousel which rotatably places each cuvette in position to interrupt a laser beam. A detector rotates in an arc about each sample to produce output signals representing the scattered light intensity as a function of angular location, relative to the incident laser beam, about the sample. A control differential scattering pattern is produced and compared with test differential scattering patterns derived from test samples having added antibiotics. The patterns are compared by data processing to produce an output punched card indicative of bacterial sensitivity to each antibiotic. The data processor is responsive, through pattern comparison, to various responses of the bacteria; i.e., whether the antibiotic is bactericidal, bacteriostatic or the bacteria actually metabolize the antibiotic. An appropriate protocal and process is disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip J Wyatt
- 👤 Vincent R Stull
- 👤 William L Proctor
- 👤 Irving L Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; C; C12; C12M; C12M41/00; C12M41/30; C12M41/36; G01N15/00; G01N15/02; G01N15/0205; G01N15/0211; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/808; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822; Y10S435/832; Y10S435/834; Y10S435/882; Y10S435/883; Y10S435/884; Y10S435/885; Y10S435/967
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
PROCESS FOR TESTING THE RESPONSE OF A MICROPARTICLE TO ITS ENVIRONMENT, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: A. PREPARING A MICROPARTICLE CONTROL SAMPLE; B. INSERTING SAID SAMPLE INTO THE PATH OF AN INCIDENT NARROW, SUBSTANTIALLY MONOCHROMATIC BEAM OF RADIANT ENERGY; C. MEASURING THE INTENSITY OF RADIANT ENERGY SCATTERED BY SAID SAMPLE AT A PLURALITY OF ANGULAR LOCATIONS ABOUT SAID SAMPLE RELATIVE TO THE DIRECTION OF SAID INCIDENT BEAM SUFFICIENT TO DERIVE A CONTROL DIFFERENTIAL SCATTERING PATTERN PRODUCED BY SAID SAMPLE; D. PREPARING A MICROPARTICLE TEST SAMPLE BY INTRODUCING A SELECTED ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE RELATIVE TO SAID CONTROL SAMPLE; E. INSERTING SAID TEST SAMPLE INTO SAID BEAM PATH; F. MEASURING THE INTENSITY OF RADIANT ENERGY SCATTERED BY SAID TEST SAMPLE AT SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME SAID ANGULAR LOCATIONS ABOUT SAID TEST SAMPLE TO DERIVE A TEST DIFFERENTIAL SCATTERING PATTERN PRODUCED BY SAID TEST SAMPLE; G. EFFECTIVELY SHIFTING SAID TEST PATTERN ALONG A SELECTED AXIS RELATIVE TO SAID CONTROL PATTERN UNTIL THE ALGEBRAIC SUM OF THE AREAS BETWEEN SAID PATTERNS IS A MINIMUM; AND H. COMPARING SAID CONTROL AND SAID SHIFTED TEST PATTERNS TO DETERMINE A SELECTED RELATIVE DIFFERENCE THEREBETWEEN, SAID DIFFERENCE PROVIDING AN INDICATION OF THE RESPONSE OF SAID MICROPARTICLE TO SAID SELECTED ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
PROCESS FOR TESTING THE RESPONSE OF A MICROPARTICLE TO ITS ENVIRONMENT, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: A. PREPARING A MICROPARTICLE CONTROL SAMPLE; B. INSERTING SAID SAMPLE INTO THE PATH OF AN INCIDENT NARROW, SUBSTANTIALLY MONOCHROMATIC BEAM OF RADIANT ENERGY; C. MEASURING THE INTENSITY OF RADIANT ENERGY SCATTERED BY SAID SAMPLE AT A PLURALITY OF ANGULAR LOCATIONS ABOUT SAID SAMPLE RELATIVE TO THE DIRECTION OF SAID INCIDENT BEAM SUFFICIENT TO DERIVE A CONTROL DIFFERENTIAL SCATTERING PATTERN PRODUCED BY SAID SAMPLE; D. PREPARING A MICROPARTICLE TEST SAMPLE BY INTRODUCING A SELECTED ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE RELATIVE TO SAID CONTROL SAMPLE; E. INSERTING SAID TEST SAMPLE INTO SAID BEAM PATH; F. MEASURING THE INTENSITY OF RADIANT ENERGY SCATTERED BY SAID TEST SAMPLE AT SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME SAID ANGULAR LOCATIONS ABOUT SAID TEST SAMPLE TO DERIVE A TEST DIFFERENTIAL SCATTERING PATTERN PRODUCED BY SAID TEST SAMPLE; G. EFFECTIVELY SHIFTING SAID TEST PATTERN ALONG A SELECTED AXIS RELATIVE TO SAID CONTROL PATTERN UNTIL THE ALGEBRAIC SUM OF THE AREAS BETWEEN SAID PATTERNS IS A MINIMUM; AND H. COMPARING SAID CONTROL AND SAID SHIFTED TEST PATTERNS TO DETERMINE A SELECTED RELATIVE DIFFERENCE THEREBETWEEN, SAID DIFFERENCE PROVIDING AN INDICATION OF THE RESPONSE OF SAID MICROPARTICLE TO SAID SELECTED ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1, wherein: A. said pattern shift is obtained by determining the average relative displacement between said patterns in accordance with the expression
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 2, wherein: A. said microparticle is biologically derived, and B. said selected environmental change is the addition of a chemical agent to said test sample.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 3, wherein: A. said microparticle is bacterial; B. said chemical agent is chemotherapeutic; and C. said radiant energy is light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 2, wherein: said patterns are further compared without said shifting by substantially deriving the integrated absolute area between said patterns to provide a further indication of the sensitivity of said microparticle to said selected environmental change.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 2, wherein: said difference is substantially the integrated absolute area between said patterns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 6, wherein: A. said microparticle is biologically derived, and B. said selected environmental change is the addition of a chemical agent to said test sample.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 7, where: A. said microparticle is bacterial; B. said chemical agent is chemotherapeutic; and C. said radiant energy is light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 6, wherein: said patterns are further compared without said shifting by substantially deriving the integrated absolute area between said patterns to provide a further indication of the sensitivity of said microparticle to said selected environmental change.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 6, wherein: said integration is approximated in accordance with the expression:
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 10, wherein: A. said microparticle is biologically derived, and B. said selected environmental change is the addition of a chemical agent to said test sample.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 11, wherein: A. said microParticle is bacterial; B. said chemical agent is chemotherapeutic; and C. said radiant energy is light.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 10, wherein: said patterns are further compared without said shifting by substantially integrating the absolute area between said patterns to provide a further indication of the response of said microparticle to said selected environmental change.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 13, wherein: A. said microparticle is biologically derived, and B. said selected environmental change is the addition of a chemical agent to said test sample.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 14, wherein: A. said microparticle is bacterial; B. said chemical agent is chemotherapeutic; and C. said radiant energy is light.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 13, wherein: said further comparison integration is approximated in accordance with the expression
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 16, wherein: A. said microparticle is biologically derived, and B. said selected environmental change is the addition of a chemical agent to said test sample.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 17, wherein: A. said microparticle is bacterial; B. Said chemical agent is chemotherapeutic; and C. said radiant energy is light.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 16, wherein: the measure of response of said microparticle to said environmental change is derived from the expression S K1A + K2B where S response, K1 constant, K2 constant, and
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 19, wherein: A. said microparticle is biologically derived, and B. said selected environmental change is the addition of a chemical agent to said test sample.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 20, wherein: A. said microparticle is bacterial; B. said chemical agent is chemotherapeutic; and C. said radiant energy is light.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 19, wherein: A. said K1 1; and B. said K2 3.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1, wherein: A. said microparticle is biologically derIved, and B. said selected environmental change is the addition of a chemical agent to said test sample.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 23, wherein: A. said microparticle is bacterial; B. said chemical agent is chemotherapeutic; and C. said radiant energy is light.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 1, wherein: said patterns are further compared without said shifting by substantially deriving the integrated absolute area between said patterns to provide a further indication of the sensitivity of said microparticle to said selected environmental change.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
196 words
Process for testing the sensitivity of bacteria to a chemotherapeutic agent, comprising the steps of: A. preparing a bacterial control sample; B. inserting said sample into the path of an incident narrow, substantially monochromatic beam of light; C. measuring the logarithim of the intensity of light scattered by said sample at a plurality of angular locations about said sample relative to the direction of said incident beam sufficient to derive a control differential scattering pattern produced by said sample; D. preparing a bacterial test sample by introducing a selected chemotherapeutic agent thereto; E. inserting said test sample into said beam path; F. measuring the logarithim of the intensity of light scattered by said test sample about said test sample at substantially the same said angular locations to derive a test differential scattering pattern produced by said test sample; G. effectively shifting said test pattern along an axis relative to said control pattern until the algebraic sum of the areas between said patterns is a minimum; and H. comparing said control and shifted test patterns to determine a selected relative difference therebetween, said difference providing an indication of the sensitivity of said bacterium to said chemotherapeutic agent.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
196 words
Process for testing the sensitivity of bacteria to a chemotherapeutic agent, comprising the steps of: A. preparing a bacterial control sample; B. inserting said sample into the path of an incident narrow, substantially monochromatic beam of light; C. measuring the logarithim of the intensity of light scattered by said sample at a plurality of angular locations about said sample relative to the direction of said incident beam sufficient to derive a control differential scattering pattern produced by said sample; D. preparing a bacterial test sample by introducing a selected chemotherapeutic agent thereto; E. inserting said test sample into said beam path; F. measuring the logarithim of the intensity of light scattered by said test sample about said test sample at substantially the same said angular locations to derive a test differential scattering pattern produced by said test sample; G. effectively shifting said test pattern along an axis relative to said control pattern until the algebraic sum of the areas between said patterns is a minimum; and H. comparing said control and shifted test patterns to determine a selected relative difference therebetween, said difference providing an indication of the sensitivity of said bacterium to said chemotherapeutic agent.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
96 words
The process of claim 26, wherein: said preparation of said samples includes the steps of: A. inoculating an undiluted broth medium with bacteria and incubating at a predetermined temperature to provide a growing culture; B. diluting a broth medium with water 50-80%; C. adding to a test sample portion of said diluted broth a predetermined amount of antibiotic; D. incubating a control sample of diluted broth and said test antibiotic sample of diluted broth at said predetermined temperature; E. inoculating said incubated diluted broth samples with said culture; and F. further incubating said culture-inoculated diluted samples.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 27, wherein: said predetermined temperature is approximately 38*C.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 27, wherein: the period for the first said incubation is 30-40 minutes.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 29, wherein: the period for the second said incubation is approximately 90 minutes.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 27, wherein: the period for the second said incubation is approximately 90 minutes.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
189 words
Process for testing the response of a microparticle to its environment, comprising the steps of: A. preparing a microparticle control sample; B. inserting said sample into the path of an incident narrow, substantially monochromatic beam of radiant energy; C. measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said sample at a plurality of angular locations relative to the direction of said incident beam sufficient to derive a control differential scattering pattern produced by said sample; D. preparing a microparticle test sample by introducing a selected environmental change relative to said control sample; E. inserting said test sample into said beam path; F. measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said test sample at substantially the same said angular locations to derive a test differential scattering pattern produced by said test sAmple; G. determining the average relative displacement between said patterns to provide an indication of the response of said microparticle to said selected environmental change; and H. further comparing said control and test patterns to determine a selected relative difference therebetween, said difference providing a further indication of the response of said microparticle to said selected environmental change.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
189 words
Process for testing the response of a microparticle to its environment, comprising the steps of: A. preparing a microparticle control sample; B. inserting said sample into the path of an incident narrow, substantially monochromatic beam of radiant energy; C. measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said sample at a plurality of angular locations relative to the direction of said incident beam sufficient to derive a control differential scattering pattern produced by said sample; D. preparing a microparticle test sample by introducing a selected environmental change relative to said control sample; E. inserting said test sample into said beam path; F. measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said test sample at substantially the same said angular locations to derive a test differential scattering pattern produced by said test sAmple; G. determining the average relative displacement between said patterns to provide an indication of the response of said microparticle to said selected environmental change; and H. further comparing said control and test patterns to determine a selected relative difference therebetween, said difference providing a further indication of the response of said microparticle to said selected environmental change.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 32, wherein: A. said radiant energy is light; and B. said measurements include the logarithims of said intensities.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 33, wherein: said pattern shift is derived substantially in accordance with the expression
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 34, wherein: said average relative displacement between said patterns is approximated in accordance with the expression
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 35, wherein: N 2p to provide N in a readily useful form for binary multiplication and division by adding or subtracting zeros.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
194 words
Process for testing the response of bacteria to its environment, comprising the steps of: A. preparing a bacterial control sample; B. inserting said sample into the path of an incident narrow, substantially monochromatic beam of light; C. measuring the logarithims of the intensity of light scattered by said sample at a plurality of angular locations about said sample relative to the direction of said incident beam sufficient to derive a control differential scattering pattern produced by said sample; D. preparing a bacterial test sample by introducing a selected environmental change thereto relative to said control sample; E. inserting said test sample into said beam path; F. measuring the intensity of light scattered by said test sample at substantially the same said angular locations about said test sample to derive a test differential scattering pattern produced by said test sample; G. determining the average relative displacement between said patterns to provide an indication of the response of said bacteria to said selected environmental change; and H. comparing said control and test patterns to determine a selected relative difference therebetween, said difference providing an indication of the response of said bacteria to said selected environmental change.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
194 words
Process for testing the response of bacteria to its environment, comprising the steps of: A. preparing a bacterial control sample; B. inserting said sample into the path of an incident narrow, substantially monochromatic beam of light; C. measuring the logarithims of the intensity of light scattered by said sample at a plurality of angular locations about said sample relative to the direction of said incident beam sufficient to derive a control differential scattering pattern produced by said sample; D. preparing a bacterial test sample by introducing a selected environmental change thereto relative to said control sample; E. inserting said test sample into said beam path; F. measuring the intensity of light scattered by said test sample at substantially the same said angular locations about said test sample to derive a test differential scattering pattern produced by said test sample; G. determining the average relative displacement between said patterns to provide an indication of the response of said bacteria to said selected environmental change; and H. comparing said control and test patterns to determine a selected relative difference therebetween, said difference providing an indication of the response of said bacteria to said selected environmental change.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 37, wherein: said environmental change is a chemical agent.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
216 words
Process for testing the response of bacteria to an unknown environment, comprising the steps of: A. preparing a bacterial control sample inoculated with bacteria known to respond to a selected environmental condition; B. inserting said sample into the path of an incident narrow, substantially monochromaTic beam of light; C. measuring the logarithm of the intensity of light scattered by said sample at a plurality of angular locations about said sample relative to the direction of said incident beam sufficient to derive a control differential scattering pattern produced by said sample; D. preparing a bacterial test sample inoculated with said known bacteria by introducing said unknown environment thereto relative to said control sample; E. inserting said test sample into said beam path; F. measuring the intensity of light scattered by said test sample at substantially the same said angular locations about said test sample to derive a test differential scattering pattern produced by said test sample; G. determining the average relative displacement between said patterns to provide an indication of the response of said bacteria to said unknown environmental change; and H. further comparing said control and test patterns to determine a selected relative difference therebetween, said relative difference providing a further indication of the response of said bacteria to the presence of said unknown environmental change.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
216 words
Process for testing the response of bacteria to an unknown environment, comprising the steps of: A. preparing a bacterial control sample inoculated with bacteria known to respond to a selected environmental condition; B. inserting said sample into the path of an incident narrow, substantially monochromaTic beam of light; C. measuring the logarithm of the intensity of light scattered by said sample at a plurality of angular locations about said sample relative to the direction of said incident beam sufficient to derive a control differential scattering pattern produced by said sample; D. preparing a bacterial test sample inoculated with said known bacteria by introducing said unknown environment thereto relative to said control sample; E. inserting said test sample into said beam path; F. measuring the intensity of light scattered by said test sample at substantially the same said angular locations about said test sample to derive a test differential scattering pattern produced by said test sample; G. determining the average relative displacement between said patterns to provide an indication of the response of said bacteria to said unknown environmental change; and H. further comparing said control and test patterns to determine a selected relative difference therebetween, said relative difference providing a further indication of the response of said bacteria to the presence of said unknown environmental change.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
54 words
The process of claim 39, wherein: A. said known bacteria are inoculated into an undiluted biologically derived medium; and B. said sample preparation includes the steps of: B.1. incubating said inoculated medium at a selected temperature; B.2. diluting said incubated, inoculated medium with water and retaining a bacterial concentration above 105 bacteria per milliliter.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
174 words
Apparatus for testing the response of a microparticle to its environment, comprising: A. means for producing an incident narrow, substantially monochromatic beam of radiant energy; B. means for receiving a microparticle control sample into the path of said beam; C. means for measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said sample at a plurality of angular locations about said sample relative to the direction of said incident beam sufficient to derive a control differential scattering pattern produced by said sample; D. means for receiving a microparticle test sample having a selected environmental change relative to said control sample; E. means for measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said test sample at substantially the same said angular locations about said test sample to derive a test differential scattering pattern produced by said test sample; and F. means for comparing said control and test patterns to determine a plurality of selected discrete relative differences therebetween, said differences, in combination, providing an indication of the response of said microparticle to said selected environmental change.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
174 words
Apparatus for testing the response of a microparticle to its environment, comprising: A. means for producing an incident narrow, substantially monochromatic beam of radiant energy; B. means for receiving a microparticle control sample into the path of said beam; C. means for measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said sample at a plurality of angular locations about said sample relative to the direction of said incident beam sufficient to derive a control differential scattering pattern produced by said sample; D. means for receiving a microparticle test sample having a selected environmental change relative to said control sample; E. means for measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said test sample at substantially the same said angular locations about said test sample to derive a test differential scattering pattern produced by said test sample; and F. means for comparing said control and test patterns to determine a plurality of selected discrete relative differences therebetween, said differences, in combination, providing an indication of the response of said microparticle to said selected environmental change.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
200 words
Apparatus for testing the response of a microparticle to its environment, comprising: A. means for producing an incident narrow, substantially monochromatic beam of radiant energy; B. means for receiving a microparticle control sample into the path of said beam; C. means for measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said sample at a plurality of angular locations about said sample relative to the direction of said incident beam sufficient to derive a control differential scattering pattern produced by said sample; D. means for receiving a microparticle test sample having a selected environmental change relative to said control sample; E. means for measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said test sample at substantially the same said angular locations about said test sample to derive a test differential scattering pattern produced by said test sample; F. means for effectively shifting said test pattern along an axis relative to said control pattern until the algebraic sum of the areas between said patterns is an absolute minimum; and G. means for comparing said shifted control and test patterns to determine a selected relative Difference therebetween, said difference providing an indication of the response of said microparticle to said selected environmental change.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
200 words
Apparatus for testing the response of a microparticle to its environment, comprising: A. means for producing an incident narrow, substantially monochromatic beam of radiant energy; B. means for receiving a microparticle control sample into the path of said beam; C. means for measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said sample at a plurality of angular locations about said sample relative to the direction of said incident beam sufficient to derive a control differential scattering pattern produced by said sample; D. means for receiving a microparticle test sample having a selected environmental change relative to said control sample; E. means for measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said test sample at substantially the same said angular locations about said test sample to derive a test differential scattering pattern produced by said test sample; F. means for effectively shifting said test pattern along an axis relative to said control pattern until the algebraic sum of the areas between said patterns is an absolute minimum; and G. means for comparing said shifted control and test patterns to determine a selected relative Difference therebetween, said difference providing an indication of the response of said microparticle to said selected environmental change.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for testing the sensitivity of a microparticle to its environment, comprising: A. means for producing an incident narrow, substantially monochromatic beam of radiant energy; B. means for receiving a microparticle control sample into the path of said beam; C. means for measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said sample at a plurality of angular locations about said sample relative to the direction of said incident beam sufficient to derive a control differential scattering pattern produced by said sample; D. means for receiving a microparticle test sample having a selected environmental change relative to said control sample; E. means for measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said test sample at substantially the same said angular locations about said test samples to derive a test differential scattering pattern produced by said test sample; F. means for determining the average relative displacement between said patterns to provide an indication of the response of said microparticle to said selected environmental change; and G. means for further comparing said control and test patterns to determine a selected relative difference therebetween, said difference providing a further indication of the response of said microparticle to said selected environmental change.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for testing the sensitivity of a microparticle to its environment, comprising: A. means for producing an incident narrow, substantially monochromatic beam of radiant energy; B. means for receiving a microparticle control sample into the path of said beam; C. means for measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said sample at a plurality of angular locations about said sample relative to the direction of said incident beam sufficient to derive a control differential scattering pattern produced by said sample; D. means for receiving a microparticle test sample having a selected environmental change relative to said control sample; E. means for measuring the intensity of radiant energy scattered by said test sample at substantially the same said angular locations about said test samples to derive a test differential scattering pattern produced by said test sample; F. means for determining the average relative displacement between said patterns to provide an indication of the response of said microparticle to said selected environmental change; and G. means for further comparing said control and test patterns to determine a selected relative difference therebetween, said difference providing a further indication of the response of said microparticle to said selected environmental change.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3730842A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-22 | 1979-06-23 | 1979-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-22 | 1983-06-23 | 1983-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-22 | 1987-06-23 | 1987-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |