Method and apparatus for detecting microparticles in fluid samples
AssigneeGuava Technologies, Inc.
InventorPhilippe J. Goix
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting a fluorescent substance tagged to a microparticle are described. The device comprises a single capillary flow carrier system for transporting the microparticle past a selected location, a source of electromagnetic radiation for irradiating the substance tagged to the microparticle, and a detection system for measuring fluorescent light emitted from the substance at the selected location. The method comprises transporting the microparticle to a selected location, irradiating a fluorescent substance tagged to the microparticle, and measuring the fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent substance at the selected location.
Claims2
A device for detecting a microparticle in a fluid, the microparticle being tagged with a fluorescent substance, the fluorescent substance emitting fluorescent light when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, the device comprising:
- a capillary chamber.
- a fluid delivery system coupled to the capillary chamber, the fluid delivery system capable of introducing the microparticle and the fluid into the capillary chamber;
- a source of electromagnetic radiation positioned in proximity to the capillary chamber to expose the fluorescent substance to electromagnetic radiation;
- and
- a detection device configured to measure fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent substance when the microparticle is in the capillary chamber, wherein the fluorescent substance has a magnetic charge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.