US4563331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for measuring bioluminescence flash kinetics
Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN AS REPRESENTED BY NAVY
•
Filing: 1983-11-21
•
Granted: 1986-01-07
•
Expires: 2003-11-21
Abstract
Abstract A test chamber is disclosed for determining the bioluminescent signatures of planktonic organisms in which a light tight chamber has at least one light port, and preferably two light ports, where photomultiplier tubes are connected to the test chamber for detecting and measuring the flash kinetics of marine organisms. A door is pivotally mounted on the light tight chamber for permitting insertion and withdrawal of an organism sample holder. A vacuum tube is connected to the test chamber and to the sample holder via a passageway such that the organism can be excited by means of drawing off the fluid containing the organism. The bioluminescent characteristics of the organisms in the sample holder can then be detected and measured by means of the photomultiplier tubes. Preferably, a third port is provided on the test chamber where, alternatively, a third multiplier tube may be connected, or one of the two photomultiplier tubes can be connected with a different orientation with respect to the sample holder, or a light tight diaphragm may be placed across the third light port such that chemical irritants may be injected into the sample holder by means of a syringe through the light tight diaphragm without permitting the entry of light into the test chamber. The outputs of the photomultiplier tubes may be used to measure the instantaneous intensity of the bioluminescent flashes of the organisms. The collected data may be recorded to help identify which organisms are responsible for the measured bioluminescence in the surface waters of the worlds oceans.
Inventors
- 👤 Jon R. Losee
- 👤 David Lapota
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/75; G01N21/76; G01N21/763; C; C12; C12M; C12M41/00; C12M41/46; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
A test chamber for determining bioluminescent signatures of organisms comprising: a light tight test chamber having a first light port in a first surface thereof, having a doorway in a second surface thereof and having a chamber base; a door pivotally mounted on said light tight chamber having opened and closed positions and covering said doorway when in said closed position; a sample holder support fixture secured to said chamber base within the interior of said test chamber, having a passageway extending from the interior of said test chamber to the exterior of said test chamber; an organism sample holder removably positioned within said sample holder support fixture and being removable to the exterior of said test chamber, having a top portion and a base portion, said base portion having a passageway extending at one end through said base portion for alignment with said sample holder support fixture passageway and extending at its other end to said top portion; means positioned within said sample holder top portion and covering said base portion passageway for preventing said organisms from entering said passageway while permitting fluids containing the organisms to be drawn into said passageway; first light detecting means secured to said light tight chamber adjacent said first light port for providing an electrical output when irradiated by light, emitted from said organisms, passing through said first light port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
A test chamber for determining bioluminescent signatures of organisms comprising: a light tight test chamber having a first light port in a first surface thereof, having a doorway in a second surface thereof and having a chamber base; a door pivotally mounted on said light tight chamber having opened and closed positions and covering said doorway when in said closed position; a sample holder support fixture secured to said chamber base within the interior of said test chamber, having a passageway extending from the interior of said test chamber to the exterior of said test chamber; an organism sample holder removably positioned within said sample holder support fixture and being removable to the exterior of said test chamber, having a top portion and a base portion, said base portion having a passageway extending at one end through said base portion for alignment with said sample holder support fixture passageway and extending at its other end to said top portion; means positioned within said sample holder top portion and covering said base portion passageway for preventing said organisms from entering said passageway while permitting fluids containing the organisms to be drawn into said passageway; first light detecting means secured to said light tight chamber adjacent said first light port for providing an electrical output when irradiated by light, emitted from said organisms, passing through said first light port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The test chamber of claim 1 further comprising: a second light port in a second surface of said test chamber; and second light detecting means secured to said light tight chamber adjacent said second light port for providing an electrical output when irradiated by light, emitted from said organisms, passing through said second light port.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The test chamber of claim 2 wherein said first and second light detecting means each comprise photomultiplier tubes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The test chamber of claim 3 wherein: said first light detecting means comprises a first light filter, for filtering light within a first range of frequencies, positioned between said first photomultiplier tube and said first light port; and said second light detecting means comprises a second filter, for filtering light within a second range of frequencies, positioned between said second photomultiplier tube and said second light port.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The test chamber of claim 2 further comprising: an additional port in a third surface of said test chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The test chamber of claim 5 further comprising: light tight diaphragm means for covering said additional port and for enabling the injection of chemical irritants via a syringe into said sample holder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The test chamber of claim 6 wherein: said light tight diaphragm means comprises neoprene rubber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The test chamber of claim 1 wherein: said sample holder top portion is a cylindrical shaped member comprised of quartz.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The test chamber of claim 8 wherein: said sample holder base portion comprises a plastic member that joins with said sample holder support fixture in a male-female relationship.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The test chamber of claim 1 further comprising: hinge means secured to said light tight chamber and to said door for enabling said door to pivot between said open and closed positions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The test chamber of claim 10 further comprising: latch means secured to said light tight chamber for latching said door in a closed position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The test chamber of claim 1 wherein: said preventing means comprises filter paper.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The test chamber of claim 3 wherein: said first and second light ports are on opposite surfaces of said light tight chamber; and said first and second light detecting means photomultiplier tubes have longitudinal axes that are approximately colinear.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The test chamber of claim 1 further comprising: a test chamber stand for supporting said test chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The test chamber of claim 1 further comprising: a vacuum line coupled to said sample holder support fixture passageway.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3489498A
Cited
US3579306A
Cited
US3797999A
Cited
US3726599A
Cited
US3710107A
Cited
US3849653A
Cited
US3979181A
Cited
US4099920A
Cited
US4213703A
Cited
US4238198A
Cited
US4236895A
Cited
US4303410A
Cited
US4472352A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-06 | 1989-07-08 | 1990-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-06 | 1993-07-08 | 1994-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-06 | 1997-07-08 | 1998-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |