The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 27, 1995
Filed:
Mar. 18, 1994
Klaus W Berndt, Stewartstown, PA (US);
Paul G Gladnick, Baltimore, MD (US);
Dolores M Berger, Baltimore, MD (US);
Becton Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for detecting biological activities in a specimen such as blood are disclosed. The present invention provides a system whereby the intensity of light with a wavelength within the range of about 600 nm to 800 nm introduced into a sample at a first location is measured as it reemerges at a second location. A significant change in the intensity of the reemerging light indicates the presence of biological activity. Preferably, the intensity is also measured at a fourth location, or alternatively, a second light source is disposed at a third location to permit comparative intensity data to be collected. These data are useful in partially identifying the types of microorganisms present in the sample. In preferred embodiments, light emitting diodes are used as the light sources and multiplexed to a plurality of samples. These signals are either detected using photodetectors and demultiplexed, or are collected using fiber-optic light guides and fed to a photomultiplier tube which generates an intensity signal. In either embodiment, the intensity signal is preferably amplified, digitized and stored in a computer.