Patent US4752567A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4752567A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of visualizing individual submicroscopic metal particles
Assignee: Janssen Pharmaceutica NV
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Filing: 1984-06-21
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Granted: 1988-06-21
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Expires: 2004-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A method of visualizing individual submicroscopic metal particles by subjecting said particles to bright field or epi-polarization microscopy and enhancing the contrast of the image so obtained by electronic means.
Inventors
- 👤 Marc J. De Brabander
- 👤 Gustaaf M. A. Geuens
- 👤 Rony M. Nuydens
- 👤 Marc K. J. J. Moeremans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:23
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/06; G02B21/08; G02B21/12; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/10; G01N15/14; G01N15/1468; G01N15/147; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/53; G01N33/531; G01N33/532; G01N33/543; G01N33/551; G01N33/553; G02B21/0004; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/21; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/81; Y10S436/00; Y10S436/805; Y10S436/807
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of visualizing individual metal particles of a diameter smaller than 200 nanometer, which comprises subjecting said particles to bright field or epi-polarization microscopy and enhancing the contrast of the image so obtained by means of a video camera.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of visualizing individual metal particles of a diameter smaller than 200 nanometer, which comprises subjecting said particles to bright field or epi-polarization microscopy and enhancing the contrast of the image so obtained by means of a video camera.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of visualizing individual metal particles of a diameter smaller than 200 nanometer, which comprises subjecting said particles to bright field or epi-polarization microscopy using a working aperture substantially greater than optimal for direct visual inspection of the microscopic image and enhancing the contrast of the image so obtained by means of a video camera.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of visualizing individual metal particles of a diameter smaller than 200 nanometer, which comprises subjecting said particles to bright field or epi-polarization microscopy using a working aperture substantially greater than optimal for direct visual inspection of the microscopic image and enhancing the contrast of the image so obtained by means of a video camera.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the said metal particles are gold particles.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of detecting and/or determining specific organic substances bindable to specific binding proteins, which comprises the steps of (i) labelling the reaction product of said bindable substance with the said binding protein using metal particles of a diameter between 1 and 200 nanometer and (ii) visualizing individual metal particles of the so labelled reaction product by a method as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the labelling of said reaction product is carried out by reacting the said bindable substance with a binding protein which is coupled directly to the said metal particles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the said bindable substance and the said binding protein undergo a ligand-receptor interaction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 4 wherien the said bindable substance and the said binding protein undergo an immunological reaction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the said bindable substance is an antigen and the said binding protein is an antibody to said antigen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the said antigen is selected from the group consisting of a cell surface antigen, a hormone, an enzyme and an intracellar element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said antibody is coupled directly to the said metal particles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the reaction product of said antigen and said antibody is further reacted with a second bindable substance which is coupled to the said metal particles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the metal particles have a diameter between 1 and 40 nm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the metal particles have a diameter between 1 and 20 nm.
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) | 1991-06-21 | 1991-12-21 | 1992-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-21 | 1995-12-21 | 1996-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-21 | 1999-12-21 | 2000-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |