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Abstract

The invention provides improved methods and unique instrumentation for the detection and for the quantitation of chemical substances and has particular application for the detection and for the quantitation of immunological substances. In one embodied form, the inventive method comprises the steps of (a) affixing to a surface a reactant material known to interact and to bind to, or to have a relatively high affinity for, the immunological substance to be detected, the substance being present in at least one medium; (b) impinging the affixed surface with a source of coherent radiation; (c) measuring a pattern of radiation scattered from the affixed surface; (d) reacting the affixed surface with at least one medium containing the immunological substance; (e) impinging the reacted affixed surface with substantially the same coherent radiation at substantially the same aspect and orientation utilized to perform step (b); (f) measuring a pattern of radiation scattered from the reacted affixed surface; and (g) comparing the patterns of radiation derived from steps (b) and (f) to determine any differentiations therebetween. The unique instrumentation provides a complete system for convenient, precise quantitative measurement of immunological substances sought to be detected. The inventive methods and instrumentation thereby provide an extremely sensitive, yet relatively rapid, means for quantitative and qualitative analyses which has application to a broad range of biological fields.

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First Claim