Universal Healthwatch, Inc.

Martin Marietta Corporation

Battelle Memorial Institute

Joseph A McClintock

David Bernstein

Mary Ann Childs

William P Trainor

Erick Gray

Gregory K Shipman

Jeffrey P Andrews

Thomas He

Greg K Shipman

Mohammud Afzal Chowdhury

Jason A Schaefer

Johnway Gao

Jeffrey P Carpenter

Rodney S Black

Clark A Morrow

Jerome U Gilberry

John J Kester

William A Ivancic

Afzal Chowdhury

Carl F Guerci, Jr

Craig A Chung

Uri Reichman

William A Ivanic

A biological and chemical detection system is provided that detects and identifies biological and/or chemical particulates of interest. The biological and chemical detection system comprises a collector, a first optical device, a second optical device and a processor. The collector is configured to deposit particulates drawn from a fluid stream onto a sample substrate to define a sample area. The first optical device derives first data relative to at least a portion of the sample area, which is analyzed to determine at least one field of view and/or specific target location. The second optical device then interrogates the sample area at each determined target location, e.g., using Raman spectroscopy, to produce interrogation data. The processor determines whether the sample area includes predetermined biological or chemical particulates of interest based upon an analysis of the interrogation data and triggers an event such as an alarm or message if the predetermined biological or chemical particulates of interest are identified.

Optical devices for biological and chemical detection

A combined sample-assay device allows sampling and detection within an integrated device. The device is a flat plate-like body with a collection arm. The collection arm optionally folds to enter a recess that flatly supports and seats the arm. The arm may be friction held in this recess and completely enters the recess. Within the recess is a second recess that contains a reading portion and transport portion. Chemiluminescent or other light emitting chemical reagent is placed within the device and light is detected in response to the presence of a sample analyte in a fluid sample.

Combined sampling-assay device and holder

Octagonal diagnostic test device

Multi-sided medical diagnostic test device

Hand-held luminometer

A system and method for detecting a target analyte includes a sampling device, a holder, a light source, a light detector, and a quantifier (ammeter). The device has reading and sampling portions connected by a transfer portion. The holder has a housing, including a tray, which has a compartment adapted to seat the sampling device and an opening extending therethrough, slidable therein. The sampling portion is aligned with the tray opening when it is seated. When the tray is closed, the tray opening is aligned with the light detector and the light source. Once the sampling portion is exposed to a sample, carrier liquid is introduced to the sampling portion. While the carrier travel to the reading portion, the target analyte picks-up a labeling luminescent agent contained in the transfer portion. The reading portion captures the labeled target analyte. The non-captured elements exits the reading portion, leaving only the target analyte bound to the luminescent agent, which glows when exposed to light. To quantify the emitted light, the sampled device is seated into the tray and moved into the holder, whereupon the reading portion is exposed to the light source. The light detector reads the light emitted by the sample and generates a signal. This signal is then converted to quantifiable data indicative of the target analyte quantity, using for example, an ammeter.

Sampling-assay device and interface system

A system and method for performing an assay for target analytes includes a sampling-device holder interface and a quantifier. The sampling device has a sampling portion and a reading portion containing a chemiluminescent reagent. The interface has a sampling-device holder and a light detector. The holder has a housing having an enclosure with a channel and a base plate with an opening. The base plate and the enclosure houses a slidable tray. The tray has a compartment adapted to seat the sampling device and an opening extending through the compartment. The reading portion is aligned with the tray opening. When the tray is closed, the tray opening is also aligned with the base plate opening, exposing the reading portion. Once the sampling portion is exposed to a sample suspected of containing the target analyte, at least one carrier liquid is introduced, if needed, to the sampling portion to transport any target analyte to the reading portion by dispersion. To measure the emitted light, the sampling device is seated into the tray. The tray is then inserted into housing. The light detector, which is connected in close proximity to the reading portion, outputs a signal. This signal is then converted to quantifiable data indicative of the target analyte quantity, using for instance, an ammeter.

Sampling-assay interface system

A manual sample rotator and method provides a mechanical orbital motion, which is useful in medical industries. The rotator has a substantially rectangular orbiting member with four guiding wells, complementary to four guiding posts provided on a fixed member, such as a housing. Each guiding post is inserted into one of the guiding wells. The guiding wells are larger than the counterpart guiding posts so that when the guiding posts are seated into the wells, the clearance therebetween allows the orbiting member to move in the horizontal plane in all directions within the bounds of the guiding wells. The guiding post and well arrangement thus restrains the orbiting member from rotating about the orbital axis, but permits the member to orbit thereabout. The orbiting member is orbited around a main orbital axis using an offset crank (output shaft end), which rotates about the main orbital axis and is rotatable about an axis offset from the main axis relative to the orbiting member. A manually operated spring motor rotates the orbiting member. The spring motor also has a time indicator, a level indicator, and a level adjuster.

Sample rotator with manually energized spring motor

An optical sensor is described comprising a first optical fiber and a first reflective member. The first optical fiber has a first predetermined length of graded-index multimode optical fiber attached to its end. The first reflective member and the first optical fiber are arranged such that a gap is formed between the unattached end of the graded-index multimode optical fiber and the first reflective member. Also described is a rugged sensor design incorporating the first optical fiber and first reflective sensor as well as a method for providing the predetermined length of graded-index multimode fiber at the end of the first optical fiber. Finally, a readout system for an optical sensor is also described which comprises two optical paths differing in length by an amount equal to an optical path distance in the optical sensor. The readout system also comprises an optical source having a wavelength differing from that of the optical sensor, a modulator and a controller. The readout system provides a linear output signal that is independent of temperature and vibration effects associated with the read-out system.

Fiber optic strain sensor and read-out system

A method for sensing an environmental parameter includes the step of sensing the environmental parameter with an interferometer sensor that has a light source emitting a tunable wavelength of light and a gap that changes in length in response to the environmental parameter. The interferometer has a sinusoidal output curve that oscillates in intensity in response to changes in gap length. The wavelength of light emitted by the light source is tuned to a first wavelength to provide a first output value. Similarly, the wavelength of light emitted by the light source is next tuned to a second wavelength to provide a second output value. The first and second output values correspond to points on the sinusoidal output curve that differ by at least half a cycle. The gap length is then calculated from the values of the first wavelength and the difference between the first and second wavelengths. Finally, the value of the environmental parameter is determined from the value of the gap length.

Fabry-Perot readout technique using wavelength tuning

Growing community of inventors

Baltimore, MD, United States of America

Joseph A McClintock