Patent US4857273A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4857273A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Biosensors
Assignee: GEC-MARONI Ltd
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Filing: 1986-04-04
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Granted: 1989-08-15
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Expires: 2006-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A biosensor includes an optically dense body provided with a coating sensitized to a specific assay species, and an input and output coupling structure. Light signal response is enhanced by incorporating a partially reflecting, partially transmitting medium between the coupling structure and the optically dense body having a lower refractive index. The thickness of such medium is chosen so that light may be coupled by frustrated total internal reflection and to enable the medium to serve as a resonant mirror.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Stewart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N21/7703; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/53; G01N33/543; G01N33/54366; G01N33/54373; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/808; Y10S436/00; Y10S436/805
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A biosensor comprising: an optically dense body having a coating sensitized for a given assay species, light coupling means positioned in operative adjacent relation to the optically dense body for directing light into and out of the same, and means operatively associated with the light coupling means for esablishing a mirrored resonant cavity within the optically dense body by frustrated total internal reflection, including a light reflecting and partially transmissive medium operatively interposed between the optically dense body and the light coupling means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A biosensor comprising: an optically dense body having a coating sensitized for a given assay species, light coupling means positioned in operative adjacent relation to the optically dense body for directing light into and out of the same, and means operatively associated with the light coupling means for esablishing a mirrored resonant cavity within the optically dense body by frustrated total internal reflection, including a light reflecting and partially transmissive medium operatively interposed between the optically dense body and the light coupling means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The biosensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light reflecting and partially transmissive medium comprises a single layer of material of a thickness establishing light coupling by frustrated total internal reflection, said material having a refractive index lower than that of the optically dense body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The biosensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the single of material layer is magnesium fluoride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The biosensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the single layer of material is alumina.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The biosensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light reflecting and partially transmissive medium comprises a dielectric multilayer structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
A monitoring system comprising a light source, a photodetector, a biosensor comprising: an optically dense body having a coating sensitized for a given assay species, light coupling means operatively positioned adjacent to the optically dense body for directing light into and out of the same and means operatively associated with the light coupling means for esablishing a mirrored resonant cavity within the optically dense body by frustrated total internal reflection, including a light reflecting and partially transmissive medium operatively interposed between the optically dense body and the light coupling means, said light source and the photodetector being positioned relative to the biosensor in optically coupled resonance relation to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
A monitoring system comprising a light source, a photodetector, a biosensor comprising: an optically dense body having a coating sensitized for a given assay species, light coupling means operatively positioned adjacent to the optically dense body for directing light into and out of the same and means operatively associated with the light coupling means for esablishing a mirrored resonant cavity within the optically dense body by frustrated total internal reflection, including a light reflecting and partially transmissive medium operatively interposed between the optically dense body and the light coupling means, said light source and the photodetector being positioned relative to the biosensor in optically coupled resonance relation to each other.
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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) | 1992-08-14 | 1993-02-13 | 1993-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-14 | 1997-02-13 | 1997-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-14 | 2001-02-13 | 2001-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |