Patent US4411518A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4411518A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for use in qualitative determination of immunological reactions
Assignee: Gamma Biologicals Inc
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Filing: 1979-11-26
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Granted: 1983-10-25
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Expires: 1999-11-26
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is provided for use in qualitative and quantitative determinations of agglutination in immunoreactive systems. The apparatus comprises a carriage assembly having a plurality of spaced, axially-disposed compartments for receiving image cells which are uniquely designed for holding the biological fluid test specimen and the reagent therefor. Means are provided for partially lifting each image cell successively out of its compartment and into an optical path. A monochromatic light source directs beams of radiant energy through the reaction zone in each image cell and the light beams transmitted through the reaction zone are focused, by means of an imaging lens, on the surface of an image sensor such as a "Charge-Coupled Device". The dark areas formed on the image sensor are measured electronically and also displayed on a display cathode ray tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter M. Meserol
- 👤 Jesse L. Acker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/00029; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/251; G01N21/253; G01N21/59; G01N21/5907; G01N21/5911; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/53; G01N33/5302; G01N2035/00099; G01N21/01; G01N21/03; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N21/82
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
An apparatus for use in connection with immunological reactions, said apparatus comprising: (a) a carriage assembly defined by front and rear walls and by side walls, said carriage assembly comprising a plurality of spaced, axially-disposed compartments between said side walls, (b) an image cell in each of said compartments, each image cell comprising two opposed, parallel, planar surfaces wherein each of said surfaces includes a generally circular groove so that when said surfaces are bonded together, said circular grooves define a reaction cell, and aperture in one of said grooves for introducing biological fluid and reagent into said reaction cell, (c) means for engaging with and biasing each of said image cells partially out of its respective compartment and into an optical path, (d) a light source for directing beams of light through said reaction cell, (e) an image sensor comprising a photosensitive surface consisting of photosensor elements, (f) an imaging lens for focusing the light beams transmitted through said reaction cell onto said image sensor on which dark images corresponding to agglutinated particles in the reaction cells are formed, and (g) means for determining the total dark imaged area on the surface of said image sensor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
197 words
An apparatus for use in connection with immunological reactions, said apparatus comprising: (a) a carriage assembly defined by front and rear walls and by side walls, said carriage assembly comprising a plurality of spaced, axially-disposed compartments between said side walls, (b) an image cell in each of said compartments, each image cell comprising two opposed, parallel, planar surfaces wherein each of said surfaces includes a generally circular groove so that when said surfaces are bonded together, said circular grooves define a reaction cell, and aperture in one of said grooves for introducing biological fluid and reagent into said reaction cell, (c) means for engaging with and biasing each of said image cells partially out of its respective compartment and into an optical path, (d) a light source for directing beams of light through said reaction cell, (e) an image sensor comprising a photosensitive surface consisting of photosensor elements, (f) an imaging lens for focusing the light beams transmitted through said reaction cell onto said image sensor on which dark images corresponding to agglutinated particles in the reaction cells are formed, and (g) means for determining the total dark imaged area on the surface of said image sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said carriage assembly includes at least two compartments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein both said surfaces of said image cells are made of a transparent material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein both said surfaces of said image cells are made of a transparent material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein one of said surfaces is made of a transparent material and the other surface is made of a translucent material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein one of said surfaces is made of a transparent material and the other surface is made of a translucent material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for engaging with and biasing each said image cell is a caliper means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said means for engaging with and biasing each said image cell is a caliper means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said means for engaging with and biasing each said image cell is a caliper means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said means for engaging with and biasing each said image cell is a caliper means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said means for engaging with and biasing each said image cell is a caliper means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said means for engaging with and biasing each said image cell is a caliper means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for determining the total dark imaged area on the surface of said image sensor is an electronic means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said means for determining the total dark imaged area on the surface of said image sensor is an electronic means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said means for determining the total dark imaged area of the surface of said image sensor is an electronic means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said means for determining the total dark imaged area on the surface of said image sensor is an electronic means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said means for determining the total dark imaged area on the surface of said image sensor is an electronic means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said means for determining the total dark imaged area on the surface of said image sensor is an electronic means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said means for determining the total dark imaged area on the surface of said image sensor is an electronic means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said means for determining the total dark imaged area on the surface of said image sensor is an electronic means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said means for determining the total dark imaged area on the surface of said image sensor is an electronic means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said means for determining the total dark imaged area on the surface of said image sensor is an electronic means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said means for determining the total dark imaged area on the surface of said image sensor is an electronic means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said means for determining the total dark imaged area on the surface of said image sensor is an electronic means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
93 words
An image cell for fluid reactants, said image cell comprising a pair of opposed, parallel planar surfaces bonded to each other, a generally circular indentation in each of said opposed surfaces so as to define a reaction cell, and an aperture in one of said indentations for introducing the fluid reactants into said reaction cell, wherein said indentations are sufficiently recessed so as to permit the fluid reactants to freely move within said cell while said cell is rotated and wherein said reactants remain confined without issuing from said cell during such rotation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
93 words
An image cell for fluid reactants, said image cell comprising a pair of opposed, parallel planar surfaces bonded to each other, a generally circular indentation in each of said opposed surfaces so as to define a reaction cell, and an aperture in one of said indentations for introducing the fluid reactants into said reaction cell, wherein said indentations are sufficiently recessed so as to permit the fluid reactants to freely move within said cell while said cell is rotated and wherein said reactants remain confined without issuing from said cell during such rotation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image cell as in claim 25 wherein one of said surfaces are made from a transparent material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
An image cell as in claim 25 wherein one of said surfaces is made from a transparent material and the other surface is made of a translucent material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image cell as in claim 25 further including a generally cylindrical member attached on the inner face of one of said circular indentations for focusing an optical system on the mid-plane in the reaction cell.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image cell as in claim 26 further including a generally cylindrical member attached on the inner face of one of said circular indentations for focusing an optical system in the mid-plane in the reaction cell.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image cell as in claim 27 further including a generally cylindrical member attached on the inner face of one of said circular indentations for focusing an optical system on the mid-plane in the reaction cell.
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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) | 1986-10-24 | 1987-04-25 | 1987-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-24 | 1991-04-25 | 1991-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-24 | 1995-04-25 | 1995-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |