US6319682B1
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Methods and systems for assessing biological materials using optical and spectroscopic detection techniques
Assignee: NeuroTherapeutics Pharma LLC
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Filing: 2000-07-31
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Granted: 2001-11-20
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Expires: 2020-07-31
Abstract
Abstract Optical detection techniques for the assessment of the physiological state, health and/or viability of biological materials are provided. Biological materials which may be examined using such techniques include cells, tissues, organs and subcellular components. The inventive techniques may be employed in high throughput screening of potential diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents.
Inventors
- 👤 Daryl W. Hochman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:43
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12Q; C12Q1/00; C12Q1/02; A; A61; A61K; A61K45/00; A61K45/06; G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/5005; G01N33/68; G01N33/6893; G01N33/6896
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for screening a candidate compound for activity as a chloride cotransporter agonist or antagonist, comprising: introducing an agent to a cell sample that is capable of changing at least one of the ionic concentration and the ionic balance in a cell sample without killing cells; observing and recording at least one property of the cell sample that is representative of at least one of the ionic concentration and the ionic balance in the cell sample following introduction of the agent; introducing a candidate compound to the cell sample; observing and recording at least one property of the cell sample that is representative of at least one of the ionic concentration and the ionic balance in the cell sample following introduction of the candidate compound; and comparing the at least one property of the cell sample recorded following introduction of the agent with the at least one property of the cell sample recorded following introduction of the candidate compound, and thereby determining changes in at least one of the ionic concentration and the ionic balance in the cell sample.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for screening a candidate compound for activity as a chloride cotransporter agonist or antagonist, comprising: introducing an agent to a cell sample that is capable of changing at least one of the ionic concentration and the ionic balance in a cell sample without killing cells; observing and recording at least one property of the cell sample that is representative of at least one of the ionic concentration and the ionic balance in the cell sample following introduction of the agent; introducing a candidate compound to the cell sample; observing and recording at least one property of the cell sample that is representative of at least one of the ionic concentration and the ionic balance in the cell sample following introduction of the candidate compound; and comparing the at least one property of the cell sample recorded following introduction of the agent with the at least one property of the cell sample recorded following introduction of the candidate compound, and thereby determining changes in at least one of the ionic concentration and the ionic balance in the cell sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one property is a geometrical or optical property of the cell sample.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one property is an optical property selected from the group consisting of: light scattering, reflectance, absorption, refraction, diffraction, birefringence, refractive index or Kerr effect.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one property is a geometrical property selected from the group consisting of: cell diameter, cell volume, cell confirmation, intracellular space, or extracellular space.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for assessing the response of a sample biological population to a challenge comprising: maintaining at least one sample population of biological material in a viable condition; administering a challenge to the sample population; acquiring a test data set corresponding to one or more geometrical or optical properties of the sample population following the challenge; comparing the test data set to a comparison data set, wherein the comparison data set corresponds to the one or more geometrical or optical properties of a predetermined sample population having a predetermined condition; and assessing the response of the sample population to the challenge based on the comparison.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for assessing the response of a sample biological population to a challenge comprising: maintaining at least one sample population of biological material in a viable condition; administering a challenge to the sample population; acquiring a test data set corresponding to one or more geometrical or optical properties of the sample population following the challenge; comparing the test data set to a comparison data set, wherein the comparison data set corresponds to the one or more geometrical or optical properties of a predetermined sample population having a predetermined condition; and assessing the response of the sample population to the challenge based on the comparison.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of claim 5 , wherein the comparison data set is acquired by determining the one or more geometrical or optical properties of the sample population prior to the challenge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method of claim 5 , wherein the comparison data set is acquired by determining the one or more geometrical or optical properties of a control sample population having a similar population and physiological state as the sample population prior to the challenge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of claim 5 , additionally comprising acquiring multiple comparison data sets corresponding to the one or more geometrical or optical properties of the sample population at different times after administration of the challenge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of claim 5 , wherein the challenge produces a change in electrical activity in the sample population.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of claim 5 , wherein the sample population is in a viable, healthy condition prior to administration of the challenge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of claim 5 , wherein the challenge comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of: pathogens, pollutants; radiation; chemotherapeutic agents; inmumodulatory agents; biological agents; infectious agents; apostolic agents; necrotic agents; mechanical insult; stress; aging agents; or disease agents.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method of claim 5 , wherein the challenge is a physiological stimuli.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method of claim 5 , wherein the challenge produces a change in at least one of the physiological characteristics of the sample population selected from the group consisting of: extracellular osmolarity, ion concentration, oxygen condition, nutrient condition, metabolite condition, ion homeostasis, electrical stimulations electrical inhibition, synchrony, or extracellular space.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of claim 5 , wherein the challenge produces a genetic modification in the sample population.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of claim 5 , wherein the challenge produces a change in gene expression in the sample population.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of claim 5 , additionally comprising simulating a disease state in the sample population prior to administration of the challenge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of claim 5 , wherein the sample population is in a dysfunctional condition prior to administration of the challenge.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of claim 5 , wherein the sample population is in a malignant condition prior to administration of the challenge.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for screening a candidate compound for activity as a diagnostic or therapeutic agent, comprising: maintaining at least one sample population of biological material; introducing a candidate compound to the sample population; acquiring and recording at least one test data set corresponding to one or more geometrical or optical properties of the sample population following introduction of the candidate compound; comparing the test data set to a comparison data set, wherein the comparison data set corresponds to one or more geometrical or optical properties of a predetermined sample population having a predetermined physiological state; and assessing the activity of the candidate compound as a diagnostic or therapeutic agent based on the comparison between the test data set and the comparison data set.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for screening a candidate compound for activity as a diagnostic or therapeutic agent, comprising: maintaining at least one sample population of biological material; introducing a candidate compound to the sample population; acquiring and recording at least one test data set corresponding to one or more geometrical or optical properties of the sample population following introduction of the candidate compound; comparing the test data set to a comparison data set, wherein the comparison data set corresponds to one or more geometrical or optical properties of a predetermined sample population having a predetermined physiological state; and assessing the activity of the candidate compound as a diagnostic or therapeutic agent based on the comparison between the test data set and the comparison data set.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method according to claim 19 , wherein the candidate compound is screened as an agent for diagnosis or treatment of a condition selected from the group consisting of: migraine headache, spreading depression, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, psychiatric disorders, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, inflammation, trauma, mechanical injury, anoxia, stroke, ischemia, hypoxia, malignancies, angiogenesis, wound healing, and immune deficiencies.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of claim 19 , wherein the comparison data set is acquired by determining the one or more geometrical or optical properties of the sample population prior to introduction of the candidate compound.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method of claim 19 , wherein the comparison data set is acquired by determining the one or more geometrical or optical properties of a control sample population having a similar population and physiological state as the sample population prior to introduction of the candidate compound.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of claim 19 , additionally comprising acquiring multiple comparison data sets corresponding to the one or more geometrical or optical properties of the sample population at different times after introduction of the candidate compound.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of claim 19 , wherein the sample population is in a viable, healthy condition prior to introduction of the candidate compound.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of claim 19 , wherein the candidate compound comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of: pathogens, pollutants; radiation; chemotherapeutic agents; inmumodulatory agents; biological agents; infectious agents; apostolic agents; necrotic agents; mechanical insult; stress; aging agents; or disease agents.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method of claim 19 , wherein the candidate compound produces a change in at least one of the physiological characteristics of the sample population selected from the group consisting of: extracellular osmolarity, ion concentration, oxygen condition, nutrient condition, metabolite condition, ion homeostasis, electrical stimulation, electrical inhibition, synchrony, or extracellular space.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of claim 19 , wherein the candidate compound produces a genetic modification in the sample population.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of claim 19 , additionally comprising simulating a disease state in the sample population prior to introduction of the candidate compound.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of claim 19 , wherein the sample population is in a dysfunctional condition prior to introduction of the candidate compound.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of claim 19 , wherein the sample population is in a malignant condition prior to introduction of the candidate compound.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for assessing the viability of a biological sample, comprising: acquiring test data corresponding to one or more geometrical or optical properties of the sample population; comparing the test data to comparison data corresponding to the one or more geometrical or optical properties of a population having predetermined viability properties; and assessing the viability of the sample population based on the comparison.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for assessing the viability of a biological sample, comprising: acquiring test data corresponding to one or more geometrical or optical properties of the sample population; comparing the test data to comparison data corresponding to the one or more geometrical or optical properties of a population having predetermined viability properties; and assessing the viability of the sample population based on the comparison.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of claim 31 , additionally comprising classifying the sample population as viable or non-viable.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
31 words
A method of any of claims 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein the comparison data set is an empirically determined standard for a predetermined sample population type and physiological state.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
35 words
A method of any of claims 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein the sample population is part of an animal or a plant and the assessment is done on an in situ sample population.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
27 words
A method of any of claims 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein the sample population is a cell or tissue or organ culture maintained in vitro.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of any of claims 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein test data corresponding to one or more optical properties is acquired and the one or more optical properties are selected from the group consisting of: light scattering, reflection, absorption, refraction, diffraction, birefringence, refractive index, or Kerr effect.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of any of claims 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein test data corresponding to one or more geometrical properties of the sample population is acquired and the one or more geometrical properties are selected from the group consisting of: cell diameter; cell volume; cell confirmation; intracellular space or extracellular space.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
31 words
A method of any of claims 5 or 19 or 31 , additionally comprising introducing a contrast enhancing agent to the sample population prior to acquisition of the test data set.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
31 words
A method of any of claims 1 or 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein the at least one sample population of biological materials is maintained in a cell culture system.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
31 words
A method of any of claims 1 or 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein the at least one sample population of biological materials is maintained in a tissue culture system.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
31 words
A method of any of claims 1 or 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein the at least one sample population of biological materials is maintained in an organ culture system.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
29 words
A method of any of claims 1 or 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein the at least one sample population of biological materials is maintained in an organism.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
30 words
A method of any of claims 1 or 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein the at least one sample population of biological materials comprises genetically modified cells or tissues.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
29 words
A method of any of claims 1 or 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein the at least one sample population of biological materials comprises transfected cells or tissues.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
34 words
A method of any of claims 1 or 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein the at least one sample population of biological materials comprises cells or tissue of a transgenic a or plant.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
71 words
A method according to any of claims 5 or 19 or 31 , additionally comprising illuminating the sample population with an electromagnetic radiation (emr) source prior to acquisition of the test data set, wherein the emr source is selected from the group consisting of: high intensity emr sources, broad spectrum emr sources, non-chromatic emr sources, tungsten-halogen lamps, lasers, light emitting diodes, laser diodes, polarized emr sources and dark field illumination sources.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
30 words
A method according to any of claims 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein the sample population is illuminated with emr delivered to the sample population through an optical fiber.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
43 words
A method according to any of claims 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein the test data is acquired by an optical detector selected from the group consisting of: cameras, photo diodes, photo multiplier tubes, photo sensitive silicon detector chips, or CCD devices.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
41 words
A method according to any of claims 5 or 19 or 31 , additionally comprising acquiring a series of data sets representing one or more geometrical or optical properties and combining the series of data sets to obtain a data profile.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
28 words
A method according to any of claims 5 or 19 or 31 , additionally comprising magnifying the sample population sufficiently to discern single cells in the sample population.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
41 words
A method according to any of claims 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein the at least one sample population of biological materials is maintained in a culture system and the sample population is illuminated continuously during acquisition of test data.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
41 words
A method according to any of claims 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein the at least one sample population of biological materials is maintained in a culture system and the sample population is illuminated non-continuously during acquisition of test data.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
52 words
A method according to any of claims 5 or 19 or 31 , wherein the at least one sample population of biological materials is maintained in a culture system and the sample population is illuminated using a technique selected from the group consisting of: amplitude modulated, frequency modulated or phase modulated techniques.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5585401A
Cited
WO2000037616A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-11-19 | 2005-05-21 | 2005-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-19 | 2009-05-21 | 2009-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-19 | 2013-05-21 | 2013-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |