US3979184A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Diagnostic device for visually detecting presence of biological particles
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1975-05-27
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Granted: 1976-09-07
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Expires: 1995-05-27
Abstract
Abstract Devices for the detection of biological particles, particularly proteins. Such devices comprise a non-transparent surface of metal (solid metal or a non-transparent coating of metal on some different substrate) covered with a thin transparent first layer of dielectric material, which in turn has a transparent second layer of metal adhered over the outer surface thereof, the transparent layer preferably being in the form of metal globules or metal islets. The detection device as provided to the user will usually have a monomolecular layer of biological particles applied over at least a portion of the transparent layer of metal. Interference of light is obtained useful in distinguishing between monomolecular layers and multi-molecular layers with the unaided eye, when the non-transparent surface metal reflects light relatively poorly and is at least approximately matched to the light reflecting ability of the dielectric material forming the transparent layer thereover.
Inventors
- 👤 Ivar Giaever
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/53; G01N33/543; G01N33/551; G01N33/553; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/41; G01N21/45; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/975; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/26; Y10T428/263; Y10T428/264; Y10T428/265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A diagnostic device for detecting the presence or absence of select biological particles in a liquid sample consisting of: a substrate member, at least one face of which is a non-transparent surface of metal, said metal surface being a comparatively poor reflector of light, a thin, transparent first layer of dielectric material adhered to said surface, a transparent second layer of metal adhered to the outer face of said first layer, a monomolecular layer of biological particles specific to the select biological particles overlying at least a portion of said second layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A diagnostic device for detecting the presence or absence of select biological particles in a liquid sample consisting of: a substrate member, at least one face of which is a non-transparent surface of metal, said metal surface being a comparatively poor reflector of light, a thin, transparent first layer of dielectric material adhered to said surface, a transparent second layer of metal adhered to the outer face of said first layer, a monomolecular layer of biological particles specific to the select biological particles overlying at least a portion of said second layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The diagnostic device of claim 1 wherein the substrate member comprises a metal coating on a non-metallic base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The diagnostic device of claim 2 wherein the base is plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The diagnostic device of claim 2 wherein the base is glass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The diagnostic device of claim 1 wherein metal for the non-transparent surface is selected from the group consisting of titanium, niobium, vanadium, bismuth, zirconium, tantalum and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The diagnostic device of claim 5 wherein the non-transparent surface is titanium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The diagnostic device of claim 5 wherein the non-transparent surface is titanium and bismuth.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The diagnostic device of claim 1 wherein the light reflecting ability of the non-transparent surface metal is approximately matched to the light reflecting ability of the dielectric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The diagnostic device of claim 1 wherein the dielectric material is metal oxide wherein the metal portion is derived from the non-transparent surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The diagnostic device of claim 1 wherein the dielectric material is a polymer polymerized in situ.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The diagnostic device of claim 1 wherein the transparent second layer is non-continuous and in the form of globules.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The diagnostic device of claim 11 wherein the transparent second layer is indium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The diagnostic device of claim 11 wherein the dielectric layer is about 200 Angstroms thick and the globules of the transparent layer are about 1000 Angstroms in diameter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The diagnostic device of claim 11 wherein the transparent second layer transmits about 60% to about 70% of the light incident thereon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The diagnostic device of claim 1 wherein the transparent second layer is continuous.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-07 | 1980-03-08 | 1980-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-07 | 1984-03-08 | 1984-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-07 | 1988-03-08 | 1988-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |