Spectrophotometric system and method for the identification and characterization of a particle in a bodily fluid

A method of quantifying a substance in a mammalian blood sample comprising the steps of:

• taking a transmission spectrum of a test blood sample in at least a portion of the ultraviolet visible near-infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum;
• deconvolving the spectrum into absorption and scattering components;
• and
• determining from the deconvolution a presence and a concentration of a substance in the blood sample.

A method for detecting a presence of and identifying an infectious disease or disorder in a mammalian fluid sample, the method comprising the steps of:

• taking a transmission spectrum of a test fluid sample in at least a portion of the ultraviolet visible near-infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum;
• comparing the spectrum with a standard fluid sample spectrum known to be free from the infectious disease or disorder;
• and
• determining from the comparison whether the fluid from the test sample contains the infectious disease or disorder and an identity of the infectious disease or disorder.

A method for detecting a presence of an antibody in a mammalian fluid sample, the method comprising the steps of:

• coating a metallic bead with an antigen;
• adding the coated bead to the test fluid sample;
• taking a transmission spectrum of the test fluid sample in at least a portion of the ultraviolet visible near-infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum;
• comparing the test spectrum with a portion of a standard test fluid sample spectrum, the standard test fluid sample known to be free from the antibody;
• and
• determining from the comparison whether the fluid from the test sample contains an antibody to the antigen.

A system for detecting a presence of and identifying an infectious disease or disorder in a mammalian blood sample comprising:

• a spectrophotometer for taking a transmission spectrum of a test blood sample in at least a portion of the ultraviolet visible near-infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum;
• means for accessing a standard spectrum from a blood sample known to be free from the infectious disease or disorder means for comparing the test sample spectrum with the standard blood sample spectrum;
• and
• means for determining from the comparison whether the blood from the test sample contains the infectious disease or disorder and an identity of the infectious disease or disorder.

A system for detecting a presence of and identifying an infectious disease or disorder in a mammalian fluid sample comprising:

• a spectrophotometer for taking a transmission spectrum of a test fluid sample in at least a portion of the ultraviolet visible near-infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum;
• means for accessing a standard spectrum from a like fluid sample known to be free from the infectious disease or disorder;
• means for comparing the test sample spectrum with the standard fluid sample spectrum;
• and
• means for determining from the comparison whether the fluid from the test sample contains the infectious disease or disorder and an identity of the infectious disease or disorder.