Methods and devices for improved signal detection from biological samples

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided to provide clean signals even in the presence of spectral interference. At least some of these methods can be applied for cases when interfering signals are to be accounted for. These cases include, but are not limited to, hemolysis detection, icterus detection, and assays. They can be implemented in with data collected with spectrophotometers, instruments that can collect absorbance values at the few wavelengths of interest, and, in the case of the method based on background subtraction, simple imaging setups with only two filters (such as but not limited to narrow-band and wide-band) per absorption peak of interest.

1 . A method for use with a biological sample, the method comprising:
 using peak curvature to reduce interference in detection of hemolysis in the biological sample.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A method for use with a biological sample, the method comprising:
 using background subtraction in detection of hemolysis and icterus in the biological sample.   
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A method for use with a biological sample, the method comprising:
 acquiring background-subtracted signals using a narrow-band optical filter and a wide-band optical filter;   using background-subtracted signals for quantification of hemolysis and icterus in the biological sample.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising:
 placing the narrow-band optical filter and the wide-band optical filter in regions of interest concurrently so that only one exposure is needed to obtain the major signal, the background signal, and the background-subtracted signal. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising reducing signal interference through calculation of background-subtracted spectra. 
     
     
         8 - 14 . (canceled)