Chemical indicator device with heat blocks

A chemical indicator device comprising a housing that comprises a viewing port, a means to provide illumination, and test tube wells so configured such that the observer views the test tubes from the side.

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. The Field of the Present Disclosure

This disclosure relates generally to a side view chemical indicator device. More particularly, but not necessarily entirely, this disclosure relates to a device for providing a simple, portable, low cost device for detecting the presence of a chemical indicator in reaction vessel.

2. Description of Related Art

Scientific processes have long been assisted by readouts that result from illumination of the chemical compound in question by electromagnetic radiation of various wavelengths. For example, in the field of DNA amplification various fluorescent dyes and fluorescent probes are utilized to determine whether the DNA sequence of interest was amplified. Depending on the type of fluorescent dye or fluorescent probe used, the fluorescence is revealed by exposing the fluorescent dye or fluorescent probe in question to appropriate electromagnetic radiation and viewing the resulting fluorescence through a colored filter.

This is the standard technology used in analyzing the products of PCR amplification. PCR amplification is generally performed in miniature test tubes. Because PCR may take hours to perform, it is generally most efficient and hence, preferable, to carry out numerous PCR reactions simultaneously, in a batch. In order to accomplish this, multiple reactions are carried out simultaneously in a collection of test tubes. Because of the space requirements for PCR devices, the batches of test tubes are most commonly arranged in a square or circular configuration.

The square or circular configuration of test tubes used in traditional PCR thermocycling requires any visual fluorescence detection be performed by viewing the test tubes from above with the light source generally located below the test tubes or vice verse. This is a less than ideal arrangement for detecting fluorescence because the light coming from below because the light is shining is the viewer's eyes. This tends to wash out much of the fluorescence, making differences in fluorescence difficult to detect. Visual detection is better performed when the test tubes are viewed from a more or less perpendicular angle to the direction of the light illuminating the test tubes. However, the arrangement of the test tubes in the traditional square or rectangular configuration renders viewing from the side difficult, if not impossible, due to the fact that the test tubes closest to the viewer tend to block the more distal test tubes from the viewer's vision.

With newer faster methods to amplify DNA it is not necessary to perform amplification in large batches. Smaller batches of DNA can be amplified cost effectively with newer amplification methods. This allows for the test tubes to be arranged in a row or in a few staggered rows. In turn, this allows for the ability to view the test tubes from the side, or from an angle that is more or less perpendicular to the direction of the illumination.

Thus, the following specification discloses a human eye readable chemical and biochemical detector for qualitative and quantitative detection.

This detector provides quantitative, and qualitative detection of fluorescent, phosphorescent, luminescent, electrochemical, or colorimetric results. The device is also adaptable to multiple color reactions, which include duplex, triplex, and higher order multiplex reactions. In one example for fluorescence readouts the device would be configured to use reporter dye matched excitation source(s) and emission matched result(s) filtering. reactions using reporter dye matched excitation sources and emission matched results filtering.

The detector is designed to be adaptable to whichever format of chemical or biochemical readout is required for the existing test. The flexibility of the system rests in two design features of the device: 1) user based chemistry and biochemistry detection choices are numerous as the device can be readily adapted any desired illumination source and coupled with any desired filtering method. The combination of illumination choices and indicator filtering enables multiple possible combinations of fluorescent, phosphorescent, luminescent, or colorimeter indicators to be configurable within the detector.

This device enables a wide range of possible wavelengths of light to be used in combination with fluorophores and detection filtering either on the device, on the viewer (glasses) or both.

The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the present disclosure without undue experimentation. The features and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such configurations, process steps, and materials may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Any publications and other reference materials referred to herein to describe the background of the disclosure, and to provide additional detail regarding its practice, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, with the following exception: In the event that any portion of said reference materials is inconsistent with this application, this application supersedes said reference materials. The reference materials discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as a suggestion or admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior disclosure, or to distinguish the present disclosure from the subject matter disclosed in the reference materials.

In describing and claiming the present disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.

As used herein, the phrase “consisting of” and grammatical equivalents thereof exclude any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim.

As used herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of” and grammatical equivalents thereof limit the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic or characteristics of the claimed disclosure.

As used herein, the term “proximal” shall refer broadly to the concept of a nearest portion.

As used herein, the term “distal” shall generally refer to the opposite of proximal, and thus to the concept of a further portion, or a furthest portion, depending upon the context.

As used herein, the phrase “in an at least partially proximal-to-distal direction” shall refer generally to a two-dimensional concept of direction in which the “proximal-to-distal” direction defines one direction or dimension. An item that extends in a non-parallel direction with respect to the “proximal-to-distal” direction, that is, at a non-straight angle thereto, thereby involves two components of direction, one of which is in the “proximal-to-distal” direction and the other being in a direction orthogonal to the “proximal-to-distal” direction.

FIG. 1depicts a portable, hand held, battery operated, device10for observation of the visual signal of a chemical indicator. As depicted inFIG. 1, the device comprises a body14. In one embodiment, the body14is sized and shaped to be readily held in the individual user's hand. The body14comprises an on/off switch18that activates the illumination feature (not shown) of the device10. The device10further comprises a shield20. The shield20removably attaches to the body14. The removable shield20comprises an aperture22. This aperture22is sized and shaped to receive a window26. This window26may be comprised of glass, plastic, mica, any polymer, or other composite material known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The window26may be either clear or opaque. The window may be colored. In the embodiment depicted, the window26is permanently affixed to the shield20. The shield20is removable from the body14. In this embodiment, multiple shields20may be used, with each shield20possessing a window26of a different color. This embodiment permits the user to substitute windows26with different colors by attaching different shields20to the body14. Although the power source in the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1is a battery, the power source could be alternating current from a conventional wall socket, a solar panel or any other power source known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In yet another embodiment, the shield20is permanently affixed to the body10. In this embodiment, the window26is removably attached to the shield20. This permits the user to use windows26of different colors by removing the window26currently in place and substituting a window26of the desired color.

FIG. 2depicts an exploded view of the device10. The body14comprises at least one test tube housing40. The at least one test tube housing40is more or less hollow and comprises wells34sized and shaped to receive test tubes38. The test tubes38, comprise lips at their open ends that are larger in diameter than the diameter of the wells34. When the test tubes38are inserted into the wells34, the lips prevent the test tubes38from transiting all the way through the well34. Thus, the test tube housing40and wells34provide a structure to suspend and maintain the test tubes in the proper position to be illuminated and viewed by the observer.

The test tube housing40comprises an opening30that permits a view into the interior of the test tube housing40. The opening30is located so as to align with the aperture22in the shield20such the user is afforded a clear view into the interior of the test tubes housing40. The aperture22as well as the opening30are situated such that at least a portion of the test tubes38are visible to the viewer so that the viewer, when looking through the window views the test tubes38from a more or less side view or more or less perpendicularly with respect to the long axis of the test tubes38.

In another embodiment at least one test tube38may be suspended and held into position by clips, brackets or any other means known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such an embodiment would not require the test tube housing40and opening30and would allow the test tubes38to be viewed directly through the aperture.

FIG. 3depicts a cutaway view of the body14that provides a view of the electronic architecture of the device10. According to this embodiment, the body comprises a circuit board44in electrical communication with the switch18. The electronic architecture further comprises a power source48in electrical communication50with the switch18such that when the switch18is engaged, power flows from the power source48to the circuit board44. The circuit board44comprises sockets45into which at least one illuminating device46may be inserted. The illuminating device46may be a light bulb, a light emitting diode, or any other illuminating device familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art. When the circuit board44is powered, the at least one illuminating device46illuminates the test tubes38. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 3, the circuit board44and the at least one illuminating device46are located below the wells34such that when the test tubes38are suspended into the interior of the test tube housing40, the at least one illuminating device illuminates the test tube from below the test tube. This results in the viewer viewing the test tubes through the aperture and the opening at a more or less right angle to the direction of the light emitted from the at least one illuminating device46. The color of the emitted light may be altered by changing the type of the illuminating device46. This may be accomplished by replacing the one or more individual illuminating devices46in the circuit board. Alternatively, it may be accomplished by unplugging and removing the existing circuit board and replacing it with a circuit board possessing one or more illuminating devices46of the desired color. In the alternative, the circuit board could comprise illuminating devices46of different colors that are selectable by the user. This may be accomplished, for example by connecting all illuminating devices46of one color to an individual circuit within the circuit board and allowing the user to power one or more circuits that activate the illuminating devices that will produce the desired and specific color chemical indication.

In an alternative embodiment, the aperture22as well as the opening30are situated such that the observer, when looking through the window views the test tubes from an angle of 80 degrees or more with respect to the angle of the light.

In an alternative embodiment, the aperture22as well as the opening30are situated such that the observer, when looking through the window views the test tubes from an angle of 70 degrees or more respect to the angle of the light.

In an alternative embodiment, the aperture22as well as the opening30are situated such that the observer, when looking through the window views the test tubes from an angle of 60 degrees or more with respect to the angle of the light.

In an alternative embodiment, the aperture22as well as the opening30are situated such that the observer, when looking through the window views the test tubes from an angle of 50 degrees or more with respect to the angle of the light.

In an alternative embodiment, the aperture22as well as the opening30are situated such that the observer, when looking through the window views the test tubes from an angle of 40 degrees or more with respect to the angle of the light.

In an alternative embodiment, the aperture22as well as the opening30are situated such that the observer, when looking through the window views the test tubes from an angle of 30 degrees or more with respect to the angle of the light.

In an alternative embodiment, the aperture22as well as the opening30are situated such that the observer, when looking through the window views the test tubes from an angle of 20 degrees or more with respect to the angle of the light.

In an alternative embodiment, the aperture22as well as the opening30are situated such that the observer, when looking through the window views the test tubes from an angle of 10 degrees or more with respect to the angle of the light.

In an alternative embodiment, the aperture22as well as the opening30are situated such that the observer, when looking through the window views the test tubes from an angle of 5 degrees or more with respect to the angle of the light.

In an alternative embodiment, the aperture22as well as the opening30are situated such that the observer, when looking through the window views the test tubes from an angle of 1 degree or more with respect to the angle of the light.

In another embodiment, depicted inFIG. 4, the device comprises a set of heat blocks58located proximal to the test tubes38, so as to be in thermal communication with the test tubes38. The heat blocks58are in electrical communication with the circuit board44such that when the circuit board44is powered, the heat blocks58are powered. The electrical connection50between the heat blocks58and the power source48may have at least one resistor59or some other device known to those of ordinary skill in the art capable of reducing the current to one or more heat blocks58such that the current supplied to the heat block on one side of the test tube is greater than the current supplied to the heat block58on the other side of the other side of the test tube. This difference in current causes a temperature differential between the heat blocks58sufficient to create a convection current within the test tube. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 4, the heat blocks58conform more or less to the shape of the test tubes38so as to provide a uniform heat transfer between the heat blocks58and the test tubes38.

In another embodiment, the device10comprises a means to adjust the temperatures of the heat blocks. For example, one or more rheostats may be included within the circuitry between the power source and the heat blocks58so that the temperature of one or more of the heat blocks58may be changed. The temperature may also be controlled by any other device or combination of devices known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In another embodiment, the device10may have a heating element and/or a cooling element such that the device can be made to thermocycle within a set temperature range.

In another embodiment, the device does not possess an internal light source, but rather comprises an opening into the interior of the body. This opening may be in the back or in the bottom of the device10. The open portion is sized and shaped to allow illumination from a light source external the device10to enter the device10and illuminate the test tubes38.

In yet another embodiment, the device possesses a light sensitive meter that registers the wavelength of the light that is emitted from the test tube. The light sensitive meter is in electrical communication with a processor capable of executing a machine readable code that converts the registered wavelength into a digital format. This digitized data may then be stored in memory device that is in electrical communication with the processor. The digitized data may also be displayed in an output device that is in electrical communication with the processor and/or the memory device.

In another embodiment, the aperture22in the shield20does not comprise a window26. In this embodiment, the viewer uses a light filter external to the device to make the indicator visible. For, example, the light filter may comprise glasses with lenses of an appropriate color.

In another embodiment, the light source is located to the side of the test tubes38and the viewing aperture is located above the test tubes38. In another embodiment, the light source is located to the side of the test tubes38and the viewing aperture is located below the test tubes38. In another embodiment, the light source is located more or less above the test tubes38and the viewing aperture22is located to the side of the test tubes38.

In another embodiment, depicted inFIG. 5, the test tube wells34are arranged in at least two rows, staggered. As depicted inFIG. 5, the test tube wells34are arranged in a first row64and a second row60. The test tube wells34are arranged in a staggered formation such that the test tubes38in the second row60are not blocked by the test tubes38in the first row64from the viewer looking through the aperture.

In another embodiment, depicted inFIG. 6, windows68of varying colors are incorporated into a continuous belt mechanism70within the device10. The belt mechanism70is stretched between two rotatable wheels72. One of the rotatable wheels is affixed to a actuator wheel76. As the actuator wheel76is rotated, it causes the belt mechanism to move, which in turn, causes the windows68of varying colors to move between at least one rotatable wheel72. In this manner, the user may vary the colors of the windows68by manipulating the actuator wheel76until the window of the desired color appears in front of the aperture22. As windows68of different colors move between the rotatable wheels, they move past the aperture22in succession. In addition,FIG. 6depicts a cover80attached at the upper portion of the device10. The cover80is configured in such a manner as to block at least a portion of the ambient light.

In another embodiment, the device10is too large to be readily hand held.