US4931384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical assay technique
Assignee: Applied Research Systems ARS Holding NV
•
Filing: 1984-10-20
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Granted: 1990-06-05
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Expires: 2004-10-20
Abstract
Abstract An assay technique for qualitative and quantitative detection of a chemcial, biochemical or biological detection of a chemical, biochemical or biological species in sample. The technique comprises (a) coating at least a predetermined part of a pre-formed surface on a substrate with a thin film of a material capable of binding the species to be assayed, the pre-formed surface being optically active with respect to radiation at least over a predetermined band of wavelengths; (b) contacting the coated surface with sample; and (c) observing the optical properties of said pre-formed surface in order to determine a qualitative and quantitative change in optical properties as a result of the binding of the species onto said thin film of material. The optical properties of the pre-formed surface may be observed before and after step (b) in order to determine any change in optical properties, or they may be monitored during step (b). The pre-formed surface is preferably a grating. An article for use in the above technique is also disclosed, and comprises a substrate carrying said pre-formed surface which in turn is coated with the respective material for the species to be assayed.
Inventors
- 👤 Derek G. Layton
- 👤 Alan M. Smith
- 👤 John H. Fisher
- 👤 Robert M. Pettigrew
- 👤 Satham Petty-Saphon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/55; G01N21/552; G01N21/553; G01N21/554; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N21/7703; G01N21/774; G01N21/7743; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/53; G01N33/543; G01N33/54366; G01N33/54373; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/805; Y10S435/808; Y10S436/00; Y10S436/805; Y10S436/807; Y10S436/81
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 85
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An assay technique for qualitative and quantitative detection of a chemical, biochemical or biological species in a sample, which comprises: (a) coating at least a predetermined part of a surface having a pre-formed regular periodic surface structure provided on a substrate with a thin film of a material capable of binding the species to be assayed, said surface producing a reflective dip with respect to a parameter of incident polarized light; (b) contacting the coated surface with the sample; (c) directing polarized light at said coated surface; and (d) measuring the change in the reflective dip as a result of the binding of the species onto said thin film of material, whereby a quantitative measure of the species being assayed is provided.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
An assay technique for qualitative and quantitative detection of a chemical, biochemical or biological species in a sample, which comprises: (a) coating at least a predetermined part of a surface having a pre-formed regular periodic surface structure provided on a substrate with a thin film of a material capable of binding the species to be assayed, said surface producing a reflective dip with respect to a parameter of incident polarized light; (b) contacting the coated surface with the sample; (c) directing polarized light at said coated surface; and (d) measuring the change in the reflective dip as a result of the binding of the species onto said thin film of material, whereby a quantitative measure of the species being assayed is provided.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the reflective dip is measured before and after step (b) in order to determine the said change.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the reflective dip is monitored with respect to changes in the angle of incidence or wavelength of the incident polarized light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said pre-formed regular periodic surface structure is a diffraction grating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the grating is of square-wave profile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the grating is of sinusoidal profile.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the grating is of saw-tooth profile.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the grating has a depth (peak-to-trough) in the range 10 to 50 nanometers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein the pitch (period) of the grating is greater than its depth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the grating has a depth (peak-to-trough) in the range 50 to 200 nanometers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein the pitch (period) of the grating is of the same order as its depth.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the grating has a depth (peak-to-trough) in the range 200 to 2000 nanometers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said pre-formed regular periodic surface structure comprises two or more diffraction gratings disposed mutually at an angle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said surface is structured so that it is reflective with respect to radiation of wavelengths from 700 to 1500 nanometers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said surface is structured so that it is reflective with respect to radiation of wavelengths from 350 to 700 nanometers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein at least the active surface of the substrate is comprised of a metal or a metal layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein said metal is gold, silver, copper or aluminum.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the active surface of the substrate is comprised of an inorganic oxide or a layer thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said inorganic oxide is an oxide of silver, copper or aluminum.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is in strip-form.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein one zone of said surface distinct from said predetermined part of the surface on the substrate is left free of the coating material and is not contacted, in step (b), by the sample.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 21, wherein a two-beam illuminating system is employed in step (c), one of said beams being directed at said one zone of said surface, and the other of the two beams being directed at said predetermined surface part.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein one zone of said surface distinct from said predetermined part of the surface is left free of the coating material and the whole of said surface, including said one zone, is contacted, in step (b), by the sample.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the polarized light is monochromatic and the parameter of the light monitored is its angle of incidence.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the species which is to be detected is an antigen.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 25, wherein the material capable of binding said species comprises antibodies for the antigen which is to be assayed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 26, wherein said antibodies are monoclonal antibodies.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein the species which is to be assayed is an ionic species.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein said ionic species is a metal ion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein the material capable of binding the species to be assayed is a chemical, enzyme or a organism.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 30, wherein said chemical, enzyme or organism is one or more of: a polypeptide, a steroid, a saccharide or polysaccharide, a proteoglycan, a nucleotide, a nucleic acid, a protonucleic acid, a microbial cell or a yeast.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said thin film of material is firmly bonded to said surface.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said preformed regular periodic surface structure comprises a regular periodic array of protuberances.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 33, in which said surface is washed immediately after being contacted with the sample and before the observations in step (c).
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 34, in which said surface is covered with a layer of a liquid of high refractive index between steps (b) and (c).
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, in which said surface is washed immediately after being contacted with the sample and before the observations in step (d).
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 36, in which said surface is covered with a layer of a liquid of high refractive index between steps (b) and (c).
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
127 words
An assay technique for qualitative and quantitative detection of a chemical, biochemical or biological species in a sample, which comprises: (a) coating at least a predetermined part of a surface having a pre-formed single diffraction grating or two or more gratings disposed mutually at an angle provided on a substrate with a thin film of a material capable of binding the species to be assayed, said surface suppressing the transmission of zero-order diffracted light at least over a predetermined band of wavelengths; (b) contacting the coated surface with the sample; and (c) measuring the change in transmission of zero-order diffracted light as a result of the binding of the species onto said thin film of material, whereby a quantitative measure of the species being assayed is provided.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
127 words
An assay technique for qualitative and quantitative detection of a chemical, biochemical or biological species in a sample, which comprises: (a) coating at least a predetermined part of a surface having a pre-formed single diffraction grating or two or more gratings disposed mutually at an angle provided on a substrate with a thin film of a material capable of binding the species to be assayed, said surface suppressing the transmission of zero-order diffracted light at least over a predetermined band of wavelengths; (b) contacting the coated surface with the sample; and (c) measuring the change in transmission of zero-order diffracted light as a result of the binding of the species onto said thin film of material, whereby a quantitative measure of the species being assayed is provided.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the transmission of said surface is measured before and after step (b) in order to determine the said change in transmission.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the transmission of said surface is monitored during step (b) in order to determine the said change in transmission.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the grating is of square-wave profile.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the grating is of sinusoidal profile.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the grating is of saw-tooth profile.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the grating has a depth (peak-to-trough) in the range 10 to 50 nanometers.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 44, wherein the pitch (period) of each grating is greater than their depth.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the grating has a depth (peak-to-trough) in the range 50 to 200 nanometers.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 46, wherein the pitch (period) of each grating is of the same order as their depth.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the grating has a depth (peak-to-trough) in the range 200 to 2000 nanometers.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the substrate is formed of a plastic material.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 49, wherein said plastic material is a material which is curable by ultra-violet light.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 49, wherein said plastic material is an acrylic or a polyester material.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 51, wherein said plastic material is polymethylmethacrylate.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 49, wherein the plastic material has a refractive index in the range 1.25 to 1.6.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 53 wherein the refractive index of said plastic material is about 1.4.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the substrate is a glass coated with a synthetic polymeric material.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the active surface of the substrate is constituted by an inorganic oxide or a layer thereof.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the substrate is in strip-form.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 38 wherein one zone of said surface distinct from said predetermined part of the surface on the substrate is left free of the coating material and is not contacted, in step (b), by the sample.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 58, wherein a two-beam illuminating system is employed in step (c), one of said beams being directed at said one zone of said surface, and the other of the two beams being directed at said predetermined surface part.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein one zone of said surface distinct from said predetermined part of the surface is left free of the coating material and the whole of said surface, including said one zone, is contacted, in step (b), by the sample.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein in step (c) monochromatic radiation is used.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the species which is to be detected is an antigen.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 62, wherein the material capable of binding said species comprises antibodies for the antigen which is to be assayed.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 63, wherein said antibodies are monoclonal antibodies.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the species which is to be assayed is an ionic species.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 65, wherein said ionic species is a metal ion.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 65, wherein the material capable of binding the species to be assayed is a chemical, enzyme or a organism.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 67, wherein said chemical, enzyme or organism is one or more of: a polypeptide, a steroid, a saccharide or polysaccharide, a proteoglycan, a nucleotide, a nucleic acid, a protonucleic acid, a microbial cell or a yeast.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein said thin film of material is firmly bonded to said surface.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
88 words
An article for use in an assay technique for qualitative and quantitative detection of a chemical, biochemical or biological species in a sample, which comprises a surface with a regular periodic pre-formed surface structure reflective of polarized light at least over a pre-determined band of wavelengths, and said surface including a metal layer capable of supporting surface plasmon resonance, at least a pre-determined part of said surface including the metal layer being coated with a thin film of a material capable of binding the species to be assayed.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
88 words
An article for use in an assay technique for qualitative and quantitative detection of a chemical, biochemical or biological species in a sample, which comprises a surface with a regular periodic pre-formed surface structure reflective of polarized light at least over a pre-determined band of wavelengths, and said surface including a metal layer capable of supporting surface plasmon resonance, at least a pre-determined part of said surface including the metal layer being coated with a thin film of a material capable of binding the species to be assayed.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
12 words
An article as claimed in claim 70, wherein the surface is lamellar.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
13 words
An article as claimed in claim 24, wherein the surface is in strip-form.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article as claimed in claim 70, wherein the preformed surface structure is a diffraction grating of square-wave, sinusoidal or saw-tooth profile.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
19 words
An article as claimed in claim 70, wherein the preformed surface structure comprises a regular periodic array of protuberances.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article as claimed in claim 70, wherein said metal is gold, silver, copper or aluminum.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article as claimed in claim 70, wherein said surface is constituted by an inorganic oxide.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
18 words
An article as claimed in claim 76, wherein said oxide is an oxide of silver, copper or aluminum.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
15 words
An article as claimed in claim 70, wherein said thin film of material comprises antibodies.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
20 words
An article as claimed in claim 70, wherein said thin film of material comprises a chemical enzyme or an organism.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article as claimed in claim 70, wherein said surface is constituted by a layer at least 5 nanometers in thickness.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
38 words
An article as claimed in claim 70, wherein the article includes a plurality of zones each of which is coated with a different receptive material so that the article is capable of binding a plurality of different species.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
77 words
An assay technique for qualitative and quantitative detection of a chemical, biochemical or biological species in a sample, which comprises: (i) contacting the surface of an article as claimed in claim 70 with the sample; and (ii) measuring the change in surface plasmon resonance of the surface of said article as a result of the binding of the chemical, biochemical or biological species onto said surface whereby a quantitative measure of the species being assayed is provided.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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