US4071020A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and methods for performing in-vivo measurements of enzyme activity
Assignee: PHARMACONTROL CORP A CORP OF NEW JERSEY
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Filing: 1976-06-03
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Granted: 1978-01-31
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Expires: 1996-06-03
Abstract
Abstract There are disclosed apparatus and methods for performing in-vivo measurements of enzyme kinetics on the epidermis and mucous membranes of a subject. One or more reactants are placed on a predetermined area of the skin in order to react with the enzyme or other biological substance of interest. At least one physical characteristic of one or more of the reaction products formed is measured. Changes in enzymatic or related activity in response to various stimuli can be observed by continuously monitoring the physical characteristic of the reaction product while certain controls are varied, thereby providing dynamic information not previously obtainable.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Pugliese
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:49
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/683; A61B5/6835; A61B5/0059; A61B5/0071; A61B5/145; A61B5/14532; A61B5/1455; A61B5/44; A61B5/441; G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/64; G01N21/6428
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for performing an in-vivo measurement of a substrate, enzyme, or other biochemical agent on the skin or mucous membranes of an accessible body surface of a patient comprising means for reacting at least one chemical with said substrate, enzyme or other biochemical agent on a predetermined area of the skin or mucous membranes of the patient to produce at least one reaction product, and means for measuring a physical characteristic of said at least one reaction product.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for performing an in-vivo measurement of a substrate, enzyme, or other biochemical agent on the skin or mucous membranes of an accessible body surface of a patient comprising means for reacting at least one chemical with said substrate, enzyme or other biochemical agent on a predetermined area of the skin or mucous membranes of the patient to produce at least one reaction product, and means for measuring a physical characteristic of said at least one reaction product.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said measuring means measures said physical characteristic while said at least one reaction product is on the skin or mucous membranes of the patient.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said measuring means includes first means for irradiating said at least one reaction product while on the skin or mucous membranes of the patient and second means for measuring a wavelength-dependent physical characteristic thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said second means measures the intensity of the fluorescence of said at least one reaction product while it is being irradiated by said first means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said physical characteristic is wavelength-dependent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said measuring means includes first means for irradiating said at least one reaction product and second means for measuring the intensity of the fluorescence of said at least one reaction product while it is being irradiated by said first means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for performing an in-vivo measurement of a substrate, enzyme, or other biochemical agent on the skin or mucous membranes of an accessible body surface of a patient comprising the steps of reacting at least one chemical with said substrate, enzyme or other biochemical agent on a predetermined area of the skin or mucous membranes of the patient to produce at least one reaction product, and measuring a physical characteristic of said at least one reaction product.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for performing an in-vivo measurement of a substrate, enzyme, or other biochemical agent on the skin or mucous membranes of an accessible body surface of a patient comprising the steps of reacting at least one chemical with said substrate, enzyme or other biochemical agent on a predetermined area of the skin or mucous membranes of the patient to produce at least one reaction product, and measuring a physical characteristic of said at least one reaction product.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein said physical characteristic is measured while said at least one reaction product is on the skin or mucous membranes of the patient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said measuring step includes a first sub-step of irradiating said at least one reaction product while on the skin or mucous membranes of the patient and a second sub-step of measuring a wavelength-dependent physical characteristic thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein in said second sub-step the intensity of the fluorescence of said at least one reaction product is measured while it is being irradiated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with claim 8 further including the step of recording continuously the measurements taken over an interval of at least several minutes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein said physical characteristic is wavelength-dependent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said measuring step includes a first sub-step of irradiating said at least one reaction product and a second sub-step of measuring the intensity of the fluorescence of said at least one reaction product while it is being irradiated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein said at least one chemical includes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, and said at least one reaction product includes reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, and wherein in said first sub-step said at least one reaction product is irradiated by ultraviolet light at a wavelength in the range 350-365 millimicrons, and in said second sub-step the fluorescence of said at least one reaction product is measured at a wavelength of approximately 460 millimicrons.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein said at least one chemical also includes glucose-6-phosphate, and said enzyme or other biochemical agent is glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein said at least one chemical also includes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and said enzyme or other biochemical agent is glucose-6-phosphate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with claim 7 further including the step of recording continuously the measurements taken over an interval of at least several minutes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-30 | 1981-08-01 | 1982-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-30 | 1985-08-01 | 1986-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-30 | 1989-08-01 | 1990-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |