Fiber optic detector for immuno-testing
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorsJudy K. Partin, Thomas E. Ward, Alan E. Grey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A portable fiber optic detector that senses the presence of specific target chemicals in air or a gas by exchanging the target chemical for a fluoroescently-tagged antigen that is bound to an antibody which is in turn attached to an optical fiber. Replacing the fluorescently-tagged antigen reduces the fluorescence so that a photon sensing detector records the reduced light level and activates an appropriate alarm or indicator.
Claims14
A fiber optic detector apparatus for use in detecting specific molecular compounds in air, comprising:
- a. a chamber containing at least one photon sensing device;
- b. a clear tube within the chamber having an entry aperture and an exit aperture;
- c. an optical fiber within said clear tube, at least a portion of said fiber having adhered thereto a quantity of antibodies specific for said molecular compound, and antigens affixed to the antibodies having a fluorescent compound affixed thereto;
- d. air evacuation means connected to the exit aperture;
- which draws gas from the entry aperture to the exit aperture;
- e. a filtered light source directing light into the optical fiber;
- and
- f. an electronic package connected to the photon sensing device comprising power supply and alarm means, such that when a change in fluorescence is detected by the photon sensing device, the alarm means is activated.
A fiber optic detector apparatus for use in detecting illegal drugs in air, comprising:
- a. a chamber containing at least one photon sensing device;
- which draws gas from the entry aperture to the exit aperture;
- b. a clear tube within the chamber having an entry aperture and an exit aperture;
- c. an optical fiber within said clear tube having a quantity of antibodies adhered thereto, said antibodies specific to the illegal drug to be detected;
- d. fluorescently-tagged antigens affixed to the antibodies;
- e. vacuum means connected to the exit aperture;
- f. a filtered light source directing light into the optical fiber;
- g. an electronic package connected to the photon sensing device comprising power supply and alarm means, such that when a change in fluorescence is detected by the photon sensing device, the alarm means is activated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.