Cuvette for receiving liquid sample
AssigneeOrtho Diagnostic Systems Inc.
InventorsErnest G. Schutt, David L. Greenwood, Karin L. Utberg
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Abstract
A new immunoassay system is provided for the detection of ligands or ligand binding partners in solution in a heterogeneous format. The invention relies upon the detection of back scattered light from an evanescent wave disturbed by the presence of a colloidal gold label brought to the interface by an immunological reaction. The evanescent wave existing at the interface in turn is the result of a totally internally reflected incident light wave. Placement of the detector at a back angle above the critical angle insures a superior signal-to-noise ratio. Apparatus and methods for scanning, detecting and manipulating light including a scattered total internal reflectance immunoassay system are provided.
Claims6
A cuvette for receiving a liquid sample containing light-scattering molecules, said cuvette having:
- a well for said liquid sample having at least one surface of optically transparent material adapted to be contacted by said liquid sample,
- said surface when contacted by said liquid sample adapted to reflect a light beam striking said surface and adapted to emit elastically scattered light,
- a face portion adapted to admit a light beam to strike said surface and further adapted to release said elastically scattered light through said face portion, and
- a light-trap prism adjacent said surface to absorb reflected light energy by multiple reflections.
A cuvette of molded optically transparent material for receiving a liquid sample containing light-scattering molecules, said cuvette having:
- a well for said liquid sample having at least one planar surface adapted to be contacted by said liquid sample,
- said planar surface when contacted by said liquid sample adapted to reflect a light beam striking said surface and adapted to emit elastically scattered light,
- a face portion at the base of said cuvette adapted to admit a light beam to strike said surface and further adapted to release said elastically scattered light through said face portion, and
- a light-trap prism adjacent said planar surface and above said face portion having upper and lower prism surfaces which are substantially parallel, said upper planar prism surface adapted to transmit a portion of said light beam reflected from said planar surface, said prism further adapted to absorb a portion of said reflected light beam energy by multiple reflections.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.