Patent ID: 6927851
Filing Date: 2005-08-09
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A hand-held assay device for measuring the presence of a sample generating chemiluminescence, comprising: a housing with a closeable door for enclosing the sample in a sample compartment of the housing so that the sample is inside the housing in the absence of a source of light from outside of the housing when the door is closed; a first light sensor inside the housing for generating a sample signal in response to detecting the chemiluminescence; a second light sensor inside the housing shielded from the chemiluminescence and generating a reference signal; a controller inside the housing receiving the sample signal and the reference signal, wherein the controller outputs a resulting signal indicative of the sample and determined as the difference between the sample and reference signals; and software executed on the controller for determining the presence of light from outside the housing when the door is open and for generating a warning signal in response to the detection of the light, wherein the controller prevents the device from operating further unless there is an absence of a source of light from outside of the housing.