US4806015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Agglutination detection apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-12-08
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Granted: 1989-02-21
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Expires: 2007-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A detection system for detecting the degree of agglutination of particles in an agglutination reaction occurring in a test slide having a display area of a predetermined length and thickness is provided. A laser directs a diffraction limited spot at the display area of a test slide at intervals along the length of the display area. A photodetector detects the level of light attenuated by the particles and produces a detection signal representative of the size and number of particles scanned along the length of the display area by the laser light.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugh V. Cottingham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N21/82; G01N15/00; G01N15/02; G01N15/0205; G01N15/0211; G01N2015/0222
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
In an apparatus for detecting the degree of agglutination of particles in an agglutination reaction in a test slide having a display area of predetermined length and thickness, said thickness defining a gap; the improvement comprising a light source means for directing a diffraction limited spot at said gap at predetermined distance intervals along the length of the display area, and detection means for detecting the level of light attenuated by particles in said gap, and for producing a detector signal representative of the size and number of particles scanned.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
In an apparatus for detecting the degree of agglutination of particles in an agglutination reaction in a test slide having a display area of predetermined length and thickness, said thickness defining a gap; the improvement comprising a light source means for directing a diffraction limited spot at said gap at predetermined distance intervals along the length of the display area, and detection means for detecting the level of light attenuated by particles in said gap, and for producing a detector signal representative of the size and number of particles scanned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The detection apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light source means directs a diffraction limited spot having a size on the order of the diameter of a single particle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The detection apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, and further including display means for receiving said detection signal from said detection means and providing a display representative of the degree of agglutination of the particles in the reagent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The detection apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein each predetermined distance interval is less than 20% of the diameter of said particle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The detection apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said predetermined distance interval is less than 20% of the diameter of said particle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detection apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light source means includes a laser diode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detection apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detection means includes a photo detector diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The detection apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, wherein the detection means is a photodetector diode.
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) | 1992-02-21 | 1992-08-22 | 1993-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-21 | 1996-08-22 | 1997-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-21 | 2000-08-22 | 2001-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |