Optoelectronic detection system

Abstract

The invention relates to optoelectronic systems for detecting one or more target particles. The system includes a reaction chamber, a specimen collector, an optical detector, and a reservoir containing cells, each of the cells having receptors which are present on the surface of each cell and are specific for the target particle to be detected, where binding of the target particle to the receptors directly or indirectly activates a reporter molecule, thereby producing a measurable optical signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for detecting a target particle in a liquid sample comprising:
 a) adding the liquid sample to a chamber;   b) adding emitting cells, comprising one or more receptors (such as antibodies) suitable for interaction with a target particle and emitter molecules that emit photons (luminescence or fluorescence) in response to one or more receptors interacting with the target particle, to the chamber to form a mixture;   c) measuring for photon emission from the cells in the mixture (luminescence or fluorescence).   
     
     
         2 . A method for detecting a target particle in a liquid sample comprising:
 a) adding emitter cells, comprising one or more receptors suitable for interaction with a target particle and emitter molecules that emit photons in response to one or more receptors interacting with the target particle, to a chamber;   b) localizing the cells within the chamber by sedimentation;   c) adding target particles in a liquid sample to form a mixture;   d) localizing the target particles by allowing sedimentation;   e) measuring for photon emission from the cells in the mixture.   
     
     
         3 . A method for detecting a target particle in a liquid sample comprising:
 a) adding emitter cells, comprising one or more receptors suitable for interaction with a target particle and emitter molecules that emit photons in response to one or more receptors interacting with the target particle, to a chamber;   b) localizing the cells within the chamber by sedimentation;   c) adding target particles in a liquid sample to form a mixture;   d) localizing the target particles;   e) applying a driving force to the particles or removing the localizing force to bring the concentrated particles into the same locale as the cells;   f) measuring for photon emission from the cells in the mixture.   
     
     
         4 . A method for detecting a target particle in a liquid sample comprising:
 a) adding emitter cells, comprising one or more receptors suitable for interaction with a target particle and emitter molecules that emit photons in response to one or more receptors interacting with the target particle, to a chamber;   b) localizing the cells within the chamber onto a barrier, permeable membrane, or filter by sedimentation or flow;   c) adding target particles in a liquid sample to form a mixture;   d) flowing the sample from the cell side through the barrier, permeable membrane, or filter to allow particle contact with the cells;   e) measuring for photon emission from the cells in the mixture, to thereby detect the presence or absence of the target particle.   
     
     
         5 . A method for detecting a target particle in a liquid sample comprising:
 a) adding emitter cells, comprising one or more receptors suitable for interaction with a target particle and emitter molecules that emit photons in response to one or more receptors interacting with the target particle, to a first chamber;   b) localizing the cells within the first chamber onto a barrier by sedimentation or flow;   c) adding target particles in a liquid sample to a second chamber which connects to the first chamber on the side of the barrier opposite the emitter cells;   d) flowing the sample through the barrier under the force of gravity or centrifugation to allow particle contact with the cells;   e) measuring for photon emission from the cells in the mixture.   
     
     
         6 . A method for detecting a target particle in a liquid sample comprising:
 a) adding the liquid sample to a first chamber;   b) adding emitting cells, comprising one or more receptors suitable for interaction with a target particle and emitter molecules that emit photons in response to one or more receptors interacting with the target particle, to a second chamber, isolated from the first by a controllable membrane;   c) localizing the target particles within the first chamber by centrifugation or other means;   d) causing the membrane to dissolve;   e) localizing the emitter cells within the first chamber;   f) measuring for photon emission from the cells in the mixture.