Ares-serono N.v.

James Neill Holdings Limited

Precision Grinding Limited

Comtech Research

John H Fisher

Robert M Pettigrew

Alan M Smith

John D Bradbrook

Derek G Layton

Satham Petty-Saphon

Peter J Bassett

An assay technique for qualitative and quantitative detection of a chemical, biochemical or biological detection of a chemical, biochemical or biological species in sample. The technique comprises: (a) coating at least a predetermined part of a pre-formed surface on a substrate with a thin film of a material capable of binding the species to be assayed, the pre-formed surface being optically active with respect to radiation at least over a predetermined band of wavelengths; (b) contacting the coated surface with sample; and (c) observing the optical properties of said pre-formed surface in order to determine a qualitative and quantitative change in optical properties as a result of the binding of the species onto said thin film of material. The optical properties as a result of the pre-formed surface may be observed before and after step (b) in order to determine any change in optical properties, or they may be monitored during step (b). The pre-formed surface is preferably a grating. An article for use in the above technique is also disclosed, and comprises a substrate carrying said pre-formed surface which in turn is coated with the receptive material for the species to be assayed.

Optical assay technique

An assay technique for qualitative and quantitative detection of a chemcial, biochemical or biological detection of a chemical, biochemical or biological species in sample. The technique comprises (a) coating at least a predetermined part of a pre-formed surface on a substrate with a thin film of a material capable of binding the species to be assayed, the pre-formed surface being optically active with respect to radiation at least over a predetermined band of wavelengths; (b) contacting the coated surface with sample; and (c) observing the optical properties of said pre-formed surface in order to determine a qualitative and quantitative change in optical properties as a result of the binding of the species onto said thin film of material. The optical properties of the pre-formed surface may be observed before and after step (b) in order to determine any change in optical properties, or they may be monitored during step (b). The pre-formed surface is preferably a grating. An article for use in the above technique is also disclosed, and comprises a substrate carrying said pre-formed surface which in turn is coated with the respective material for the species to be assayed.

Apparatus for use in monitoring a plurality of variables includes a respective transducer arranged to detect a variation in a parameter and to provide an electrical output signal representative thereof and means to couple a signal associated with the output of a transducer to a display either under the control of a manually operated switching arrangement or an automatic scanning arrangement which identifies a detected variation and causes it to be displayed.

Apparatus for use in monitoring a plurality of variable parameters

Information storage and retrieval

A hand held digital read-out measuring instrument in which interference fringes are generated by the transmission of radiations through gratings which move relative to one another according to a distance being measured and the fringes are counted to detect changes in the fringe pattern and generate a pulse output related to the distance, means being provided to control the rate of movement and to exert a substantially constant force on the movable elements.

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Royston, United Kingdom

John H Fisher