EP0288793A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cartridge and methods for performing a solid-phase immunoassay
Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
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Filing: 1988-04-07
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A disposable cartridge suitable for performing automated solid-phase diagnostic assays which employs microparticles to complex an analyte and where the microparticle complex becomes retained and immobilized on a fibrous matrix such that the presence of analyte on the microparticles can be detected by optical means. A cartridge is disclosed which comprises a plurality of wells at least one of the wells comprises an entrance port and holding means for receiving and holding a quantity of sample and assay reagents, a fibrous matrix for retaining and immobilizing microparticle/analyte complexes for detection, the fibrous matrix positioned below the holding means, and having an average spatial separation of fibers greater than the average diameter of said microparticles, and an absorbent material positioned below the fibrous matrix to absorb any sample or assay reagents that flow through said fibrous matrix.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Brown Iii
- 👤 Edward E. Sebesta
- 👤 Eugene W. Osikowicz
- 👤 Sally K. Ramp
- 👤 Cass J. Grandone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 07:27
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/502; G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/53; G01N33/543; G01N33/54366; G01N35/00; G01N35/02; G01N35/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A cartridge suitable for performing an automated solid-phase diagnostic assay which comprises a plurality of separate wells arranged in a predetermined order wherein at least one of said wells is a sample well for receiving a sample material to be assayed and at least one of said wells is a reaction well comprising: (a) an entrance port and holding means for receiving and holding a quantity of sample and assay reagents; (b) a fibrous matrix for retaining and immobilizing microparticle/analyte complexes for detection, said fibrous matrix positioned below said holding means, and having an average spatial separation of fibers greater than the average diameter of said microparticles; and (c) an absorbent material positioned below said fibrous matrix to absorb any sample or assay reagents that flow through said fibrous matrix.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A cartridge suitable for performing an automated solid-phase diagnostic assay which comprises a plurality of separate wells arranged in a predetermined order wherein at least one of said wells is a sample well for receiving a sample material to be assayed and at least one of said wells is a reaction well comprising: (a) an entrance port and holding means for receiving and holding a quantity of sample and assay reagents; (b) a fibrous matrix for retaining and immobilizing microparticle/analyte complexes for detection, said fibrous matrix positioned below said holding means, and having an average spatial separation of fibers greater than the average diameter of said microparticles; and (c) an absorbent material positioned below said fibrous matrix to absorb any sample or assay reagents that flow through said fibrous matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said fibrous matrix has an average spatial separation of fibers greater than 10 microns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said absorbent material is made from fibrous material predominantly lying in a plane perpendicular to said lower surface of said fibrous matrix.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cartridge of claim 1, wherein said reaction chamber includes positioning means for securely holding said absorbent material in contact with said fibrous matrix.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of performing a solid-phase diagnostic assay in a cartridge having a plurality of separate wells at least one of said wells being a sample well for receiving a sample to be assayed and another being a reaction well having a fibrous matrix for retaining and immobilizing microparticle analyte complexes and an absorbent material positioned below said fibrous matrix; the steps of said method comprising: (a) incubating a sample with an analyte specific conjugate in one of said wells other than said reaction well to form an analyte/conjugate complex; (b) adding said analyte/conjugate complex to said reaction well in the presence of microparticles having an average diameter smaller than the average spatial separation of the fibers forming said fibrous matrix to form a microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex; (c) adding a wash solution to said reaction well to transfer said microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex into said fibrous matrix where it is retained and immobilized; d) adding to said reaction well an indicator substance capable of forming an assay signal in the presence of said microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex; and (e) detecting said assay signal produced by said indicator substance in step (d) as a function of the presence or amount of analyte in said sample.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of performing a solid-phase diagnostic assay in a cartridge having a plurality of separate wells at least one of said wells being a sample well for receiving a sample to be assayed and another being a reaction well having a fibrous matrix for retaining and immobilizing microparticle analyte complexes and an absorbent material positioned below said fibrous matrix; the steps of said method comprising: (a) incubating a sample with an analyte specific conjugate in one of said wells other than said reaction well to form an analyte/conjugate complex; (b) adding said analyte/conjugate complex to said reaction well in the presence of microparticles having an average diameter smaller than the average spatial separation of the fibers forming said fibrous matrix to form a microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex; (c) adding a wash solution to said reaction well to transfer said microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex into said fibrous matrix where it is retained and immobilized; d) adding to said reaction well an indicator substance capable of forming an assay signal in the presence of said microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex; and (e) detecting said assay signal produced by said indicator substance in step (d) as a function of the presence or amount of analyte in said sample.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 5, wherein step (b) is performed by first contacting said analyte/conjugate complex with said microparticles to form a microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex and then transferring said microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex to said reaction well.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 5, wherein steps (a) and (b) are performed simultaneously incubating a sample, microparticles and an analyte specific conjugate in one of said wells other than said reaction wells and then the microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex is transferred to said reaction well.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 5, wherein step (e) consists of performing a series of rapid readings to determine a rate for the complexing of said indicator substance with said microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of performing a solid-phase diagnostic assay in a cartridge having a plurality of separate wells at least one of said wells being a sample well for receiving a sample to be assayed and another being a reaction well containing a fibrous matrix for retaining and immobilizing microparticle, analyte complexes and an absorbent material positioned below said fibrous matrix; the steps of said method comprising: (a) adding a sample to said reaction well in the presence of microparticles having an average diameter smaller than the average spatial separation of the fibers forming said fibrous matrix, and incubating to form a microparticle, analyte complex; (b) adding to said reaction well and thereby to said microparticle, analyte complex an analyte specific conjugate and incubating the mixture to form a microparticle analyte/conjugate complex; (c) adding a wash solution to said reaction well to transfer said microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex into said fibrous matrix where it is retained and immobilized; (d) adding to said reaction well an indicator substance capable of forming an assay signal in the presence of said microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex; and (e) detecting said assay signal produced by said indicator substance in step (d) as a function of the presence or amount of analyte in said sample.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of performing a solid-phase diagnostic assay in a cartridge having a plurality of separate wells at least one of said wells being a sample well for receiving a sample to be assayed and another being a reaction well containing a fibrous matrix for retaining and immobilizing microparticle, analyte complexes and an absorbent material positioned below said fibrous matrix; the steps of said method comprising: (a) adding a sample to said reaction well in the presence of microparticles having an average diameter smaller than the average spatial separation of the fibers forming said fibrous matrix, and incubating to form a microparticle, analyte complex; (b) adding to said reaction well and thereby to said microparticle, analyte complex an analyte specific conjugate and incubating the mixture to form a microparticle analyte/conjugate complex; (c) adding a wash solution to said reaction well to transfer said microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex into said fibrous matrix where it is retained and immobilized; (d) adding to said reaction well an indicator substance capable of forming an assay signal in the presence of said microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex; and (e) detecting said assay signal produced by said indicator substance in step (d) as a function of the presence or amount of analyte in said sample.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 9, wherein step (a) is performed by incubating said sample with said microparticles to form a microparticle, analyte complex whereafter said microparticle, analyte complex is transferred to said reaction well.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 9, wherein step (b) is conducted by incubating said microparticle, analyte complex and an analyte specific conjugate to form a microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex which is transferred to said reaction well.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said step (e) consists of performing a series of rapid readings to determine a rate for the complexing of said indicator substance with said microparticle, analyte/conjugate complex.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of performing a solid-phase diagnostic assay in a cartridge having a plurality of separate wells at least one of said wells being a sample well for receiving a sample to be assayed and another being a reaction well containing a fibrous matrix for retaining and immobilizing microparticle, analyte complexes and an absorbent material positioned below said fibrous matrix; the steps of said method comprising: (a) treating a sample with a labeled antigen and microparticles capable of binding an antigen to form a reaction mixture thereof; (b) transferring said reaction mixture to said reaction well whereby said microparticles become retained and immobilized on said fibrous matrix; (c) washing said fibrous matrix to remove any unbound antigen; (d) applying an indicator substance to said reaction well to form an assay signal with said labeled antigen; (e) detecting said assay signal produced by said indicator substance in step (d) as a function of the presence or amount of antigen present in said sample.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of performing a solid-phase diagnostic assay in a cartridge having a plurality of separate wells at least one of said wells being a sample well for receiving a sample to be assayed and another being a reaction well containing a fibrous matrix for retaining and immobilizing microparticle, analyte complexes and an absorbent material positioned below said fibrous matrix; the steps of said method comprising: (a) treating a sample with a labeled antigen and microparticles capable of binding an antigen to form a reaction mixture thereof; (b) transferring said reaction mixture to said reaction well whereby said microparticles become retained and immobilized on said fibrous matrix; (c) washing said fibrous matrix to remove any unbound antigen; (d) applying an indicator substance to said reaction well to form an assay signal with said labeled antigen; (e) detecting said assay signal produced by said indicator substance in step (d) as a function of the presence or amount of antigen present in said sample.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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