Patent ID: 6584217
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: G01N,G06T,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of quantifying data as to possible presence of a target analyte molecularly recognizable in a specimen, the method comprising the following steps:(a) placing a sample of said target analyte upon a membrane that includes a spot portion chemically treated such that presence of said target analyte alters a characteristic of said spot portion to permit contrast of said spot portion relative to surrounding regions of said membrane to quantify presence of said target analyte; (b) alternately and periodically illuminating said spot portion and said surrounding regions of said membrane with light from a light source, said light traveling substantially through air in a path undeflected by any planar optical element disposed between said light source and said membrane; (c) detecting reflected said light with light detectors disposed spaced-apart from each other an angular offset selected from 90Â° and 180Â° azimuthal, wherein skew error due to irregularities in topography of said membrane is reduced, reflected said light traveling substantially through air in a path undeflected by any planar optical element disposed between said light detectors and said membrane; and using output from said light detectors to measure and to compare said characteristic of light reflected by said spot portion and by said surrounding regions; and (d) providing an output signal commensurate with a characteristic of light so measured.