Patent ID: 7373253
Filing Date: 2008-05-13
Classification: B01L,C12Q

Abstract:
1. A device for determining the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample comprising an instrument for temperature cycling for analysis of real-time amplification of the nucleic acid, a fluorimeter for detecting fluorescence during the amplification of the nucleic acid, the fluorescence obtained from a fluorescent entity capable of providing a signal related to the quantity of the nucleic acid, and a processor for performing analysis routines, wherein the processor is programmed i) to initiate analysis algorithms by inputting into the algorithms fluorescence values measured by the fluorimeter prior to completion of temperature cycling, ii) to initiate a first algorithm to obtain a first score from a first test by inputting into the first algorithm the fluorescence values, iii) to initiate a second algorithm to obtain a second score from a second test by inputting into the second algorithm the fluorescence values, iv) to generate a composite score by evaluating a function that depends on the first score and the second score as independent variables of the function to determine whether the sample is positive or negative for the presence of the nucleic acid, and v) to evaluate the function that depends on the first score and the second score as independent variables of the function to determine whether the sample is indeterminate for the presence of the nucleic acid.