for the detection of bacteria; copenhagen, 67 july established fluoreszenzsensoren

摘要

A method of analyzing the data provided by a fluorescent chemical sensor calculates a ratio based on the AC and DC components of the emission from the chemical sensor. This ratio, or the emission modulation, will change should bacterial growth be ongoing in the vial. The calculated ratio is compared to a desired value. The desired value is selected to focus the operation of the system into a high resolution area for the sensor. If the calculated and desired ratios differ, then the frequency of the excitation radiation is changed until the calculated and desired ratios are effectively equal. At that time the adjusted frequency is measured. By focusing the desired ratio into a high resolution area, and adjusting the frequency until the system reaches that ratio one ensures that all readings are performed at a high resolution area of the sensor. The adjusted frequency is utilized to provide an indication of whether the particular vial is experiencing bacterial growth. This adjusted frequency is a linear function of changing conditions within the vial. Several methods of achieving the above features of this invention are disclosed. By utilizing this method, one provides an easily interpreted indication of whether a particular fluorescent chemical sensor is in a vial which is experiencing bacterial growth. IMAGE