METHOD FOR ENHANCING THE INCUBATION OF SAMPLES, SPECIMENS AND REAGENTS USING LASERS

Abstract

A method for incubating reagents, suspensions and/or biological products to a predetermined temperature for biological testing; the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a selected biological product in a receptacle and which is required to be incubated to a temperature which simulates a natural thermal environment of the biological product; b) applying controlled heating to or near the biological product using at least one laser emitting from a laser source for a time sufficient to reach a target temperature or which simulates a target temperature of the natural thermal environment in which the biological product exists.

Claims

1. A method for incubating reagents, suspensions and/or biological products to a predetermined temperature for biological testing; the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a selected biological product in a receptacle and which is required to be incubated to a temperature which simulates a natural thermal environment of the biological product; b) applying controlled heating to or near the biological product using at least one laser emitting from a laser source for a time sufficient to reach a target temperature or which simulates a target temperature of the natural thermal environment in which the biological product exists.

2. A method according to claim 1 comprising the further step of selecting a time duration for application of laser heating to the biological products.

3. A method according to claim 2 comprising the further step after heating using the at least one laser, of spinning the products in a centrifuge.

4. A method according to claim 3 comprising the further step of aiming the at least one laser directly at the products in suspension.

5. A method according to claim 3 wherein the at least one laser is aimed at a biological specimen under test.

6. A method according to claim 3 comprising the further step of aiming the at least one laser at the reagent to indirectly heat the biological specimen.

7. A method according to claim 3 wherein one laser light is provided for each one of a plurality of vials containing said products.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein, each laser light selects red plasma cells.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein there is provided a blue green laser to preferentially select the red plasma cells and heats them in suspension while avoiding heating the suspension.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the laser is aimed to induce accelerated heating of the biological sample to reduces specimen processing time.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein use of a specific selected laser wavelength spectrum allows incubation of a surface only of a red cell.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein a selected green, red or infrared laser is used for incubating samples and reagent red cells in performing Gel card based indirect anti-globulin testing (IAT) and other tests requiring 37 degree Celsius incubation.

13. A method for incubation of biological products during biological testing; the method comprising the steps of: a) taking at least one biological product and placing the product is a reagent vial; b) directing at least one laser from a laser source at or near the biological product to heat the biological product to a predetermined temperature to simulate a natural environment temperature in which the biological product subsists.

14. A method according to claim 13 comprising the further step of directly heating the biological sample using said laser to accelerate elevation to a target temperature.

15. A method according to claim 14 comprising the further step of modulating wavelength of each said at least one laser to preferentially switch on or switch off binding sites on the surface of a red cell.

16. A method according to claim 15 comprising the further step of using the laser to select a temperature to directly heat the biological sample.

17. A method according to claim 16 comprising the further step of identifying a laser wavelength capable of modulating red cell antigen binding sites.

18. A method according to claim 17 comprising the further step of using the laser to select a temperature to simulate a temperature of an environment in which the biological sample exists without directly heating the biological sample.

19. A method according to claim 18 comprising the further step of prior to incubation, selecting a laser from the green, red or infrared colour spectrums.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the biological product comprises a plasma/reagent red cell suspension.

21. A method according to claim 20 wherein the method steps are applied in indirect anti-globulin testing (IAT).

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the method steps are applied in tests on samples requiring 37 degree Celsius incubation.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the method steps are applied in tests on samples which require simulated 37 degree Celsius incubation.

24. A method of serological testing comprising the steps of: a) taking a gel card including a gel and having AHG in a gel buffer and which is suitable for indirect anti-globulin testing (IAT) and tests requiring 37 degree Celsius incubation; b) using a laser to contact a plasma/reagent red cell suspension via an opening at the top of the Gel Card, so that heating of the Gel Card is avoided; c) allowing the laser to bring the suspension to 37 degrees; d) incubating the suspension.

25. A method according to claim 24 comprising the further step of providing a series of refracted beams from a laser emitter for each well of the gel card.

26. A method according to claim 25 comprising the further step of providing laser incubation equipment in or on a centrifuge.

27. A method of serological testing using a gel card having an opening therein; the method comprising the steps of; a) taking the gel card including a gel and having AHG in a gel buffer and which is suitable for indirect anti-globulin testing (IAT) and other tests requiring 37 degree Celsius incubation; b) using a laser to contact a plasma/reagent red cell suspension directly through the wall of a vial or via an opening at the top of the Gel Card, so that heating of the Gel Card is avoided; c) allowing the laser to bring the suspension to 37 degrees, such that the biological material reaches the target temperature on contact with the laser.

28. A gel card for use in biological testing and having an opening adapted to enable incubation therein of a biological sample using at least one laser beam to contact a plasma/reagent red cell suspension via the opening in the Gel Card; the opening in the card arranged so that heating of the Gel Card is avoided in favour of heating the contents of the gel card by the at least one laser beam.

29. A gel card according to claim 28 wherein the opening is located at the top of the Gel card.

30. A gel card according to claim 29 wherein contents of the gel card can be heated through a plastics wall of a test chamber in the gel card.

31. A gel card according to claim 30 incorporated in a centrifuge including a source of laser beams for heating the contents of the gel card.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0035] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description will now be described in more detail according to a preferred but non-limiting embodiments and with reference to the accompanying illustrations; wherein

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a schematic arrangement of a laser incubation system according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention will now be described in more detail according to a preferred embodiment but non limiting embodiment and with reference to FIG. 1. The examples referred to herein are illustrative and are not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the invention. While various embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be appreciated that these are capable of modification, and therefore the disclosures herein are not to be construed as limiting of the precise details set forth, but to avail such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the description.

[0038] Historically blood group serology is an empirical science, as it is not known which sites are being activated during tests, if there is cross binding during incubation or whether the presence of certain binding sites can mask other weaker sites.

[0039] The invention is described herein with reference to Gel Cards for the purpose of illustration but it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention has applications apart from blood group serology testing in all its forms and testing protocols and it is contemplated that the method is applicable not only to Gel Cards but to other testing methods in which incubation is used to incubate biological samples at in-vivo temperatures or in which the effects of incubation are simulated. An example of an application in an area other than serological testing is testing new drugs or other materials which are designed to be used in-vivo.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a schematic layout of a laser incubation system 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. System 1 shows a gel card holding plate 2 which receives and retains a plurality of gel cards 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Each gel card includes a plurality of vials 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 which in use are each charged with a reagent, biological specimen, blood product or the like. Holding plate 2 is mounted in a centrifuge 15 and is free to spin under the action of a motor incorporated in the centrifuge 15. This in turn allows the gel cards to spin for separation of specimens as required. The gel card according to one embodiment includes reagent red cells and plasma solution. Incorporated in a lid 16 the centrifuge 15 is a source of laser light 17 from which emanates at least one laser light. In the embodiment shown six laser streams 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 transmit via LED's 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35.

[0041] Although six are shown, it will be appreciated that the number of LED laser lights can be changed as required to less than or more than six. The laser lights are transmitted to each of the reagent/biological specimen vials via the LED's. Included in each vial are reagent red cells and plasma suspension 20. In this example, each laser light selects the red plasma cells and the blue green laser preferentially selects the red cells and heats them in suspension while avoiding heating the suspension. The blue/green laser is absorbed by red cells rather than the plasma or other components/constituents. This induces accelerated heating of the biological sample and reduces processing time.

[0042] Use of a specific spectrum laser allows incubation of a surface only of a red cell. Also contemplated is the use of an inert dye which will incubate the entire suspension. Thus using the laser heating the operator may select options for heating such as direct heating of the biological sample, indirect heating of the sample by heating the suspension or heating of a surface of a red cell. Although use of a wide range of laser wavelengths is contemplated, a 980 nm laser range is one feasible choice. Also variations in wavelengths and time (duration of heating) may be selected according to the application of the laser heating methodology. There is a relationship between laser wavelengths and time each typified by accelerated direct or indirect heating of vial contents. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 there is provided one laser light per gel card vial. Thus it will be appreciated that incubation of multiple gel cards and multiple vials can be conducted at the same time in one centrifuge.

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment, a green, red or infrared laser is used for incubating samples and reagent red cells in performing Gel card based indirect anti-globulin testing (IAT) and other tests requiring 37 degree Celsius incubation. It is known that a laser in the green colour spectrum can heat fluids to approximately 37 degrees Celsius without damaging proteins in the solution.

[0044] The present invention allows the laser to contact the plasma/reagent red cell suspension directly through the plastic wall of the container or via an opening at the top of the Gel Card. The laser contacts the biological material specifically thereby avoiding heating the plastic card (the correct laser wavelength does not heat the plastic it passes through) Gel or AHG in the Gel buffer. The action of the laser brings the material to 37 degrees quickly and efficiently enabling a very fast incubation phase.

[0045] As a result of this, the use of laser incubation virtually eliminates the first phase of incubation and greatly enhances and accelerates the second phase leading to rapid physiological conditions and a much faster incubation. Furthermore with one laser source per well, the incubation equipment according to one embodiment, can be built into a centrifuge saving a significant amount of time, improving productivity and making automated systems faster and easier to function. Laser incubation potentially overcomes all of the limitations of the current available systems and allows the development of faster, more sensitive and easier to perform testing systems in blood group serology.

[0046] The laser incubation system can be adapted to other forms of biological testing but is particularly suited to blood group serology testing in all its forms and testing protocols, including but not limited to Gel card testing. It is contemplated that the laser incubation can be used wherever there is a need to incubate biological samples at in-vivo temperatures. This can be used in testing new drugs or other materials which are designed to be used in-vivo.

[0047] It is contemplated that not only can laser/IR technology accelerate heating, but also it is anticipated that by modulating the laser wavelength binding sites on the red cell surface can be preferentially switched on and off. It is further contemplated that the laser can be used to heat or alternatively it may not be necessary to heat the serum and reagent red cells to 37 degrees but rather identify the laser wavelength capable of modulated the red cell antigen binding sites.

[0048] The invention is applicable to laser/IR for incubating samples and reagent red cells in performing Gel card based indirect anti-globulin testing (IAT) and other tests requiring 37 degree Celsius incubation. A laser in the green color spectrum for example, excites Haemoglobin in blood and thus heats blood to approximately 37 degrees Celsius without damaging proteins in the solution. Furthermore the invention can be used to enhance specific binding sites on the red cell surface thus preferentially enhancing or preventing antigen binding. This process can also be used to alter the antigenic properties of red cells thus converting bold group O positive bold to O negative blood. Furthermore this technique could be used to alter the antigenic state of human blood in vivo via a recirculating pump mechanism.

[0049] The present invention allows the laser to contact the plasma/reagent red cell suspension. This may according to one embodiment be via an opening in the Gel Card. This allows contact with the biological material specifically thus not heating the plastic card, Gel or AHG in the Gel buffer. The laser enables a very fast incubation phase. The use of laser incubation eliminates ramp up time for incubation and greatly enhances and accelerates the second phase of protein unfold, leading to rapid physiological conditions and a much faster incubation.

[0050] With a link established between wavelength and antigen binding site activation, laser incubation may not require 37 degree incubation but rather a sequential variation in the laser wavelength to selectively activate binding sites and initiate binding in the sample/reagent red cell combination. This can eliminate the need for matched reagent red cell sets as is currently the case, replaced instead with a mixture of cells that contain all known antigen binding sites. Laser incubation potentially addresses all the limitations of the current available systems and will allow the development of faster, more sensitive and easier to perform testing systems in blood group serology.

[0051] Apart from blood group serology testing in all its forms and testing protocols i.e. not just Gel Card but all methods, laser incubation could be used wherever there is a need to incubate biological samples in order to activate an antigen-antibody reaction at in-vivo temperatures. This could be used in sandwich Elisa methods or other test methods that require multi-step incubation phases. Other applications include testing new drugs or other materials which are designed to be used in-vivo.

[0052] It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modification may be made to the invention broadly described herein without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention.