2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the physical state or phase of the sample is not altered within the steps of the method.<br><br>
3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said assessing and reassessing steps each comprise measuring actual fluorescence of the sample.<br><br>
4. A method as claimed in claim 3 including measuring any change in actual fluorescence between the assessment and the reassessment.<br><br>
5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including subjecting the sample between assessments to UV radiation in the wavelength range 200-300 nm.<br><br>
6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including subjecting the sample between assessments to UV radiation of about 280 nm wavelength.<br><br>
7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising assessing and reassessing the fluorescence of the sample by reference to substantially only horizontally polarised fluorescent light.<br><br>
Intellectual Property Office of N.Z.<br><br>
2 2 FEB 2008<br><br>
RECEIVJE D<br><br>
21<br><br>
8. A method as claimed in claim 7 including causing the fluorescence to pass a filter oriented to pass substantially only horizontally polarised<br><br>
%ht.<br><br>
5 9. A method as claimed in claim 8 including in the assessment and reassessment exposing the sample to vertically polarised light as the excitation light.<br><br>
10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9 including assessing<br><br>
10 and reassessing broadband fluorescence of the sample.<br><br>
11. A method as claimed in claim any one of claims 5 to 9 including spectrally resolving the fluorescence observed in the assessment and/or reassessment steps.<br><br>
15<br><br>
12. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including subjecting the sample to UV radiation for a time less than 20 minutes.<br><br>
13. A method as claimed in claim 12 including subjecting the sample to<br><br>
20 UV radiation for a time less than 10 minutes.<br><br>
14. A method as claimed in claim 13 including subjecting the sample to UV radiation less than 5 minutes.<br><br>
25 15. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including assessing the fluorescence of the sample, subjecting the sample to a pulse of UV radiation and reassessing the fluorescence of the sample after a delay.<br><br>
30 16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 including reassessing the fluorescence of the sample after a period of time substantially corresponding to the fluorescence lifetime of DPA.<br><br>
Intellectual Property<br><br>
Office of M Z.<br><br>
2 2 FEB 2008<br><br>
P E C E I V E D<br><br>
22<br><br>
17. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 including assessing the fluorescence of the sample, subjecting the sample to a modulated UV signal, reassessing the fluorescence of the sample for a modulated response.<br><br>
5<br><br>
18. A method as claimed in claim 17 including reassessing the fluorescence for a modulated response after a period of time substantially corresponding to the fluorescence lifetime of the DPA fluorescence.<br><br>
10 19. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sample is a solid material immobilised on a support and the method includes subjecting the sample to UV radiation by irradiating the sample on the support with UV radiation and reassessment of the fluorescence of the sample.<br><br>
15<br><br>
20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein the sample is airborne and the method includes subjecting the sample to UV radiation by causing the sample to pass through a beam of UV radiation.<br><br>
20<br><br>
21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein the sample is a solution or a suspension, and the method includes subjecting the sample to UV radiation by subjecting the solution or suspension to UV radiation.<br><br>
25<br><br>
22. A detector for detecting bacterial spores in a sample comprising a UV source, a detection zone within which the sample may be placed or may pass, means for fluorescence analysis arranged to assess for the presence of spores without altering the structure of any spore by<br><br>
30 assessing the sample for fluorescence, subjecting the sample to UV<br><br>
radiation, and then reassessing the sample for an increase in fluorescence relative to any fluorescence assessed in said first assessing step, the presence of fluorescence at said assessing step and an increase<br><br>
Intellectual Property Office of Ni.Z.<br><br>
2 2 FEB 2008<br><br>
received<br><br>
23<br><br>
in fluorescence at said reassessing step being indicative of the presence of spores<br><br>
23. A detector as claimed in claim 22 arranged to initially assess the 5 fluorescence of a sample in the detection zone, expose the sample to<br><br>
UV radiation and then reassess the fluorescence of the sample wherein the output of the device uses actual fluorescence measurements.<br><br>
24. A detector as claimed in claim 22 arranged to initially assess the 10 fluorescence of a sample in the detection zone, expose the sample to<br><br>
UV radiation and then reassess the fluorescence of the sample wherein the output of the device is a reading of the change in fluorescence between the two assessments.<br><br>
15 25. A detector as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24 arranged to subject the sample to UV radiation of wavelength in the range 200-300 nm.<br><br>
26. A detector as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24 arranged to subject the sample to UV radiation of about 280 nm wavelength.<br><br>
20<br><br>
27. A detector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims arranged to assess and reassess the fluorescence of the sample by reference to substantially only horizontally polarised fluorescent light.<br><br>
25 28. A detector as claimed in claim 27 arranged to cause the fluorescence to pass a filter oriented to pass substantially only horizontally polarised light.<br><br>
29. A detector as claimed in claim 28 arranged to expose the sample to<br><br>
30 vertically polarised light as the excitation light.<br><br>
30. A detector as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 29 arranged to assess and reassess broadband fluorescence of the sample.<br><br>
Intellectual Property Office of N.Z.<br><br>
2 2 FEB 2008 p p o cr ( \/ £ [)<br><br>
24<br><br>
31. A detector as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 29 arranged to subject the sample to a pulse of UV radiation, and to reassess the fluorescence of the sample after a time period between 0.1 — 10 ns.<br><br>
5 32. A detector as claimed in claim 31 arranged to reassess the fluorescence of the sample after a period of time corresponding to the fluorescence lifetime of the DPA fluorescence.<br><br>
33. A detector as claimed in claim 22 arranged to assess the fluorescence of 10 the sample, subject the sample to a modulated UV signal and to reassess the fluorescence of the sample for a modulated response.<br><br>
34. A detector as claimed in claim 33 arranged to reassess the fluorescence of the sample for a modulated response after a period of time<br><br>
15 substantially corresponding to the fluorescence lifetime of the DPA<br><br>
fluorescence.<br><br>
35. A method of detecting bacterial spores in a sample comprising the steps of providing a detector which comprises a UV source, a detection 20 zone within which a sample may be placed or may pass, means for fluorescence analysis arranged to assess for the presence of spores by reference to an increase in fluorescence following one and then a subsequent exposure of the sample to a UV source without altering the structure of any spore, positioning the detector so that the sample is in 25 the detection zone, analysing the spore content of the sample, wherein the step of analysis of the spore content includes assessing the the sample for fluorescence; exposing the sample to UV radiation and then reassessing of the sample for an increase in fluorescence relative to any fluorescence assessed in said first assessing step, the presence of 30 fluorescence assessed in said assessing step and an increase in fluorescence at said reassessing step being indicative of the presence of spores.<br><br>
Intellectual<br><br>
°tiice of N z.<br><br>
2 2 FEB 2008 R POFM/p<br><br>
25<br><br>
A method as claimed in claim 35 wherein the physical state or phase of the sample is not altered within the steps of the method.<br><br>
A method as claimed in claim 36 including subjecting the sample to UV radiation between assessments of about 280 nm wavelength.<br><br>
A method as claimed in claim 37 comprising assessing and reassessing the fluorescence of the sample by reference to substantially only horizontally polarised fluorescent light.<br><br>
A method as claimed in claim 38 including in the assessment and reassessment exposing the sample to vertically polarised light as the excitation light.<br><br>
A method of ascertaining whether a sample, due to its content of bacterial spores, presents a threat to a mammal comprising the steps of providing a detector which comprises UV source, a detection zone within which a sample may be placed or may pass, means for fluorescence analysis arranged to assess for the presence of spores by reference to a first assessment of the sample for fluorescence, exposure of the sample to the UV source, and a reassessment of the sample for an increase in fluorescence relative to any fluorescence assessed in said first assessing step, the presence of fluorescence at said first assessment step and an increase in fluorescence at said reassessment step being indicative of the presence of spores, all without altering the structure of any spore; setting the sensitivity of the detector at a predetermined threshold above which a threat would be considered to be present, positioning the detector so that the sample is in the detection zone, and reading or interpreting the output of the detector as either above the threshold and thus the sample presents a threat, or below the threshold and thus the sample does not present a threat.<br><br>
A method as claimed in claim 40 wherein the physical state of the sample is not altered within the steps of the met aecL~ — . .<br><br>
Intellectual Property Office of M.z.<br><br>
2 2 FEB 2008<br><br>
"ECEIVFD<br><br>
26<br><br>
42. A method as claimed in claim 40 or 41 wherein the mammal is a human.<br><br>
5 43. A method as claimed in claim 42 wherein the detector is adapted to detect and identify bacteria used in biological warfare.<br><br>
44. A method as claimed in claim 43 wherein the detector is adapted to detect bacterial contamination of a foodstuff.<br><br>
10<br><br>
45. A method according to claim 11 including spectrally resolving the fluorescence observed in the assessment and/or reassessment steps and analysing the shape of the fluorescence.<br><br>
15 46. A method according to claim 11 including spectrally resolving the fluorescence observed in the assessment and/or reassessment steps and analysing the fluorescence observed at the reassessment step for additional information useful for detecting bacterial spores.<br><br>
20 47. A detector as claimed in claim any one of claims 22 to 29 arranged to spectrally resolve the fluorescence observed in the assessment and/or reassessment steps.<br><br>
48. A detector according to claim 47 arranged to spectrally resolve the<br><br>
25 fluorescence observed in the assessment and/or reassessment steps and analyse the shape of the fluorescence.<br><br>
49. A detector according to claim 47 arranged to spectrally resolve the fluorescence observed in the assessment and/or reassessment steps<br><br>
30 and analyse the fluorescence observed at the reassessment step for additional information useful for detecting bacterial spores.<br><br>
Intellectual Property Office of N.Z.<br><br>
2 2 FEB 2008<br><br>
RECEIVED<br><br>
27<br><br>
50. A method as claimed in claim any one of claims 35 to 39 including spectrally resolving the fluorescence observed in the assessment and/or reassessment steps.<br><br>
5 51. A method according to claim 50 including spectrally resolving the fluorescence observed in the assessment and reassessment steps and/or analysing the shape of the fluorescence.<br><br>
52. A method according to claim 50 including spectrally resolving the<br><br>
10 fluorescence observed in the assessment and/or reassessment steps and analysing the fluorescence observed at the reassessment step for additional information useful for detecting bacterial spores.<br><br>
53. A method as claimed in claim 40 including spectrally resolving the<br><br>
15 fluorescence observed in the assessment and/or reassessment steps.<br><br>
54. A method according to claim 40 including spectrally resolving the fluorescence observed in the assessment and/or reassessment steps and analysing the shape of the fluorescence.<br><br>
20<br><br>
55. A method according to claim 40 including spectrally resolving the fluorescence observed in the assessment and/or reassessment steps and analysing the fluorescence observed at the reassessment step .for additional information useful for detecting bacterial spores.<br><br>
25<br><br>
56. A method of detecting the presence of bacterial spores in a sample comprising non-destructively to the spores carrying out the steps of assessing the sample for fluorescence, subjecting the sample to UV radiation, then reassessing the sample for fluorescence, and spectrally<br><br>
30 resolving fluorescence observed in the assessment and reassessment steps and analysing the fluorescence for an increase in fluorescence indicative of the presence of spores.<br><br>
Intellectual Property Office of N.Z.<br><br>
2 2 FEB 2008<br><br>
R (= C F I V f= D<br><br>
28<br><br>
57. A method as claimed in claim 56 wherein the physical state or phase of the sample is not altered within the steps of the method.<br><br>
58. A method as claimed in claim 57 including measuring actual 5 fluorescence of the sample.<br><br>
59. A method as claimed in claim 58 including measuring any change in actual fluorescence between the assessment and the reassessment.<br><br>
10 60. A method as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 59 including subjecting the sample between assessments to UV radiation in the wavelength range 200-300 nm.<br><br>
61. A method as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 59 including subjecting<br><br>
15 the sample between assessments to UV radiation of about 280 nm wavelength.<br><br>
62. A method as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 61 comprising assessing and reassessing the fluorescence of the sample by reference<br><br>
20 to substantially only horizontally polarised fluorescent light.<br><br>
63. A method as claimed in claim 62 including causing the fluorescence to pass a filter oriented to pass substantially only horizontally polarised light<br><br>
25<br><br>
64. A method as claimed in claim 63 including in the assessment and reassessment exposing the sample to vertically polarised light as the excitation light.<br><br>
30 65. A method as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 64 including subjecting the sample to UV radiation for a time less than 20 minutes.<br><br>
66. A method as claimed in claim 65 including subjecting the sample to UV radiation for a time less than 10 minutes.<br><br>
Intellectual Property Office of N.Z.<br><br>
2 2 FEB 2008<br><br>
29<br><br>
5 68.<br><br>
69.<br><br>
10<br><br>
70.<br><br>
15<br><br>
71.<br><br>
20<br><br>
72.<br><br>
25<br><br>
73.<br><br>
30<br><br>
A method as claimed in claim 66 including subjecting the sample to I Y radiation less than 5 minutes.<br><br>
A method as claimed in anv one of claims 56 to 67 including assessing the fluorescence of the sample, subjecting the sample to a pulse of UV radiation and reassessing the fluorescence of the sample after a delay.<br><br>
A method as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 68 including reassessing the fluorescence of the sample after a period of time substantially corresponding to the fluorescence lifetime of DPA.<br><br>
A method as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 68 including assessing the fluorescence of the sample, subjecting the sample to a modulated UV signal, reassessing the fluorescence of the sample for a modulated response.<br><br>
A method as claimed in claim 70 including reassessing the fluorescence for a modulated response after a period of time substantially corresponding to the fluorescence lifetime of the DPA fluorescence.<br><br>
A method as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 71 wherein the sample is a solid material immobilised on a support and the method includes subjecting the sample to UV radiation by irradiating the sample on the support with UV radiation and reassessment of the fluorescence of the sample.<br><br>
A method as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 72 wherein the sample is airborne and the method includes subjecting the sample to UV radiation by causing the sample to pass through a beam of UV radiation.<br><br>
A method as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 72 wherein the sample is a solution or a suspension, and the method includes subjecting the<br><br>
Intellectual Property Office of N.Z.<br><br>
2 2 FEB 2008<br><br>
30<br><br>
sample to UV radiation by subjecting the solution or suspension to UV radiation.<br><br>
75. A detector for detecting bacterial spores in a sample comprising a UV 5 source, a detection zone within which the sample may be placed or may pass, means for fluorescence analysis arranged to assess for the presence of spores without altering the structure of any spore by assessing the sample for fluorescence, subjecting the sample to UV radiation, then reassessing the sample for fluorescence, spectrally 10 resolving fluorescence observed in the assessment and reassessment steps, and analysing the fluorescence for an increase in fluorescence indicative of the presence of spores.<br><br>
76. A detector as claimed in claim 75 arranged to initially assess the 15 fluorescence of a sample in the detection zone, expose the sample to<br><br>
UV radiation and then reassess the fluorescence of the sample wherein the output of the device uses actual fluorescence measurements.<br><br>
77. A detector as claimed in claim 75 arranged to initially assess the 20 fluorescence of a sample in the detection zone, expose the sample to<br><br>
UV radiation and then reassess the fluorescence of the sample wherein the output of the device is a reading of the change in fluorescence between the two assessments.<br><br>
25 78. A detector as claimed in any one of claims 75 to 77 arranged to subject the sample to UV radiation of wavelength in the range 200-300 nm.<br><br>
79. A detector as claimed in any one of claims 75 to 77 arranged to subject the sample to UV radiation of about 280 nm wavelength.<br><br>
30<br><br>
80. A detector as claimed in any one of claims 75 to 79 arranged to assess and reassess the fluorescence of the sample by reference to substantially only horizontally polarised fluorescent light.<br><br>
Intellectual Property Office of h.Z.<br><br>
2 2 FEB 2008<br><br>
DECEIVED<br><br>
31<br><br>
5 82.<br><br>
83.<br><br>
10<br><br>
84.<br><br>
15<br><br>
85.<br><br>
20 86.<br><br>
A detector as claimed in claim 80 arranged to cause the fluorescence to pass a filter oriented to pass substantially only horizontally polarised<br><br>
A detector as claimed in claim 81 arranged to expose the sample to vertically polarised light as the excitation light.<br><br>
A detector as claimed in any one of claims 75 to 82 arranged to subject the sample to a pulse of UV radiation, and to reassess the fluorescence of the sample after a time period between 0.1 — 10 ns.<br><br>
A detector as claimed in claim 83 arranged to reassess the fluorescence of the sample after a period of time corresponding to the fluorescence lifetime of the DPA fluorescence.<br><br>
A detector as claimed in claim 75 arranged to assess the fluorescence of the sample, subject the sample to a modulated UV signal and to reassess the fluorescence of the sample for a modulated response.<br><br>
A detector as claimed in claim 85 arranged to reassess the fluorescence of the sample for a modulated response after a period of time substantially corresponding to the fluorescence lifetime of the DPA fluorescence.<br><br>
light.<br><br>
END OF CUIUS<br><br>
Intellectual Property Office of N.Z.<br><br>
2 2 FEB 2008<br><br>
</p>
</div>