In-Vitro Method and Device for Detecting a Target Nucleic Acid
OwnerOleh FEDORYCHinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed herein is an in-vitro method for detecting a target nucleic acid in a patient's sample. An exemplary method involves steps of bringing the sample in contact with a probe, that is a molecular beacon, is labeled with a fluorescent dye, and can hybridize with the target, then irradiating the probe with light exciting the fluorescent dye, then observing the sample with a detector, and then, if the detector detects light emitted by the probe, concluding that the target is in the sample. In order to rapidly detect the emitted light, prior to bringing the probe in contact with the sample, the probe can be immobilized in a carrier element, wherein the carrier element is in contact with an optical element which lets the emitted light pass to the detector.
Claims21
An in-vitro method for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample, comprising:
- a. contacting the sample with a probe wherein the probe is labeled with a fluorescent dye and adapted to hybridize with the target nucleic acid;
- b. irradiating the probe with an excitation light to excite the fluorescent dye,
- c. observing, with a detector, for an emission of light from the fluorescent dye;
- and
- d. determining if the target nucleic acid is in the sample based on a detection of light emitted by the fluorescent dye,
- wherein the probe is immobilized to a carrier element prior to contact with the sample, and an optical element is positioned proximate to the carrier element and adapted to permit light emitted from fluorescent dye to pass therethrough to the detector.
An analyzing unit for in-vitro detection of a target nucleic acid, comprising:
- a light source configured to emit an excitation light to a carrier element of a sampling unit, and
- a detector configured to receive light emitted from a carrier element of a sampling unit;
- and
- a microprocessor configured to receive data from the detector, and to determine if the target nucleic acid is present at carrier element of a sampling unit.
A sampling unit for collecting a sample for in-vitro detection of a target nucleic acid, comprising:
- a container comprising an extraction nozzle and a reaction chamber for the collection and isolation of the sample;
- a carrier element inside the reaction chamber, the carrier element adapted to carry a wherein the probe labeled with a fluorescent dye;
- and
- Response to Notice to File Missing Parts and Preliminary Amendment an optical element positioned proximate to the carrier element and adapted for the passage of an excitation light into the reaction chamber and to the carrier element, and for the passage of a light emission from the fluorescent dye and out of the reaction chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.