Analyte detector and method

摘要

Instrument and method for detecting pesticides and other analytes. A sample to be tested is mounted on a cassette and inserted into a housing which is substantially impervious to light, and light from a source within the housing is directed toward the sample to induce fluorescent emission from analyte on the sample. Fluorescent emissions from the sample are monitored with a detector within the housing to detect emissions having a spectral content characteristic of the analyte to be detected. Data from the detector is processed, and information based on the processed data is displayed. In some embodiments, the instrument is calibrated with data from a reference sample of known concentration or density. The detector measures the analyte in units of mass per unit area, and in some embodiments the mass per unit area is converted to units of concentration or density of the analyte in the sample.

主权项

1. A portable instrument for detecting an analyte on a specimen, comprising:
a housing which is substantially impervious to light, a cassette which carries the specimen and is removably inserted into the housing, a light source within the housing for directing light toward the specimen to induce fluorescent emission from analyte on the specimen, a detector within the housing responsive to fluorescent emissions having a spectral content characteristic of the analyte to be detected and providing data corresponding to the mass of analyte detected per unit area on the specimen, means for processing data from the detector by multiplying the volume per unit area of the specimen by the density of the specimen to determine the mass per unit area of the specimen and dividing the mass per unit area of the analyte detected on the specimen by the mass per unit area of the specimen to determine the mass ratio or concentration of the analyte and specimen, and a display which is responsive to the processed data and visible externally of the housing for displaying information about the analyte on the specimen.