Apparatus and method for luminescent determination of concentration of an analyte in a sample

• Main Authors: BUNCE; ROGER A, CARTER; TIMOTHY J. N, KRICKA; LARRY J, WHITEHEAD; THOMAS P, KENNEDY; JOHN H
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 28.12.1982
• Subjects: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; MEASURING; PHYSICS; TESTING

PCT No. PCT/GB79/00102 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 14, 1980 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 14, 1980 PCT Filed Jun. 13, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO80/00100 PCT Pub. Date Jan. 24, 1980.The apparatus comprises a movable member (10) which carries a plurality of cuvettes (11) containing material under test. Control means cause the member (10) to be moved to bring the cuvettes (11) successively into register with a photomultiplier (16), and in that position reagent is automatically added to a cuvette, giving rise to a luminescent reaction. Light from the reaction is detected by the photo-multiplier (16) and the resultant signal processed and recorded. The control means is triggered to stop the member (10), add reagent, record the signal from the luminescent reaction, and restart the member, from a photocell (28) which is illuminated through the member (10) only when a cuvette (11) is in register with the photomultiplier (16). According to the method, sample material containing the analyte for determination is mixed with a known amount or concentration of the same analyte labelled with a substance which is capable of taking part in a luminescent reaction. The mixture is then reacted with a known amount of another substance capable of reacting with the analyte and giving rise to a luminescent reaction with the labelling substance. From quantitative observation of the light from the luminescent reaction the amount or concentration of the analyte in the sample may be deduced.