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Patent US4775637A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4775637A
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An immunoassay apparatus having at least two waveguides and method for its use
Assignee: Prutec Ltd
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Filing: 1985-12-05
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Granted: 1988-10-04
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Expires: 2005-12-05
Abstract
Abstract The unit consists of a cuvette and light guiding means comporting more than one waveguide element in contact with the solution to be analyzed. During operation, signals issuing from said waveguide elements provide data on two or more parameters in the solution substantially simultaneously.
Inventors
- 👤 Ranald M. Sutherland
- 👤 Claus Dahne
- 👤 Georges Revillet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N21/7703; G01N21/01; G01N21/03; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/72; G01N33/721; G01N33/723; G01N33/726; G01N2021/0346; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S436/00; Y10S436/805
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
An immunoassay apparatus for analyzing more than one component of a single sample, the apparatus comprising: (a) holding means for containing a liquid sample; (b) at least two separate optical waveguide means for allowing propagation of optical signals therethrough; (c) light source means for providing each of said waveguide means with input optical signals; (d) detecting means for collecting output optical signals from said waveguide means and generating electrical signals representative thereof; and (e) analyzing means for receiving and processing said electrical signals from said detecting means; wherein each of said waveguide means form part of said holding means thereby exposing a surface of the waveguide means to the sample, and wherein at least one of said exposed waveguide surfaces is coated with a reactant specific to a component for which analysis is desired from said sample.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
An immunoassay apparatus for analyzing more than one component of a single sample, the apparatus comprising: (a) holding means for containing a liquid sample; (b) at least two separate optical waveguide means for allowing propagation of optical signals therethrough; (c) light source means for providing each of said waveguide means with input optical signals; (d) detecting means for collecting output optical signals from said waveguide means and generating electrical signals representative thereof; and (e) analyzing means for receiving and processing said electrical signals from said detecting means; wherein each of said waveguide means form part of said holding means thereby exposing a surface of the waveguide means to the sample, and wherein at least one of said exposed waveguide surfaces is coated with a reactant specific to a component for which analysis is desired from said sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said holding means is a cuvette, and said waveguide means form opposing walls of the cuvette, the distance between said walls being from 10 to 1,000 um.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said opposing walls are treated with different reactants specific to components which may be present in said sample, for which analysis is desired.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus of claim 2 wherein one of the opposing walls is treated with a reactant specific to a component which may be present in said sample and for which analysis is desired, and the other wall is treated with a blocking agent to the same component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light source means comprises chopper means to provide optical signals to each of said optical waveguides alternatively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus of claim 5 wherein said chopper means is either a rotating mirror or a chopper disc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light source means comprises two independent alternately flashing light sources the output of which is focused each one optical end of said elements via a beam splitter, and in which the other end of said elements is made totally reflective so that the light signal carried by said elements travels forwards and backward therein.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of immunoassay comprising the steps of: (a) exposing a surface of at least two separate waveguides to a liquid sample, said waveguides forming, at least in part, a container for said sample; (b) pre-coating at least one of said waveguide surfaces with a reactant specific to a component in said sample, for which component analysis is desired; (c) sending an optical signal through each of said waveguides, so that said optical signal impinges on the surface of said waveguide exposed to said sample as it passes through the waveguide; (d) collecting each said optical signal; and (e) analyzing each optical signal to determine the quantity of said component present in said sample.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of immunoassay comprising the steps of: (a) exposing a surface of at least two separate waveguides to a liquid sample, said waveguides forming, at least in part, a container for said sample; (b) pre-coating at least one of said waveguide surfaces with a reactant specific to a component in said sample, for which component analysis is desired; (c) sending an optical signal through each of said waveguides, so that said optical signal impinges on the surface of said waveguide exposed to said sample as it passes through the waveguide; (d) collecting each said optical signal; and (e) analyzing each optical signal to determine the quantity of said component present in said sample.
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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) | 1991-10-04 | 1992-04-04 | 1992-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-04 | 1996-04-04 | 1996-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-04 | 2000-04-04 | 2000-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |