Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An analytical system for simultaneously assaying a plurality of samples for at least one analyte, comprising: (a) a device comprising a solid, planar comb support in the form of a card, said support having a plurality of planar tabs extending from a peripheral edge of said support in a spaced manner and capable of being immersed into individual compartments of a multi-compartment reaction container wherein (i) a least two tabs each comprise a defined area containing at least one receptor capable of specifically binding said at least one analyte, (ii) at least one tab comprises an assay monitoring control immobilized thereon, (iii) at least two tabs each comprise a standard of known analyte concentration immobilized thereon; and wherein said support further comprises identification means thereon to identify said samples; and (b) a multi-compartment reaction container comprising: (i) a plurality of individual, longitudinally aligned first compartments collectively capable of simultaneously receiving all of the tabs of device (a), each first compartment capable of receiving only one of the tabs, and (ii) at least one second compartment capable of simultaneously receiving all of the tabs of device (a), the longitudinal axis of each second compartment disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinally aligned first compartments; and wherein each first and second compartment is sealed with a protective strip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
An analytical system for simultaneously assaying a plurality of samples for at least one analyte, comprising: (a) a device comprising a solid, planar comb support in the form of a card, said support having a plurality of planar tabs extending from a peripheral edge of said support in a spaced manner and capable of being immersed into individual compartments of a multi-compartment reaction container wherein (i) a least two tabs each comprise a defined area containing at least one receptor capable of specifically binding said at least one analyte, (ii) at least one tab comprises an assay monitoring control immobilized thereon, (iii) at least two tabs each comprise a standard of known analyte concentration immobilized thereon; and wherein said support further comprises identification means thereon to identify said samples; and (b) a multi-compartment reaction container comprising: (i) a plurality of individual, longitudinally aligned first compartments collectively capable of simultaneously receiving all of the tabs of device (a), each first compartment capable of receiving only one of the tabs, and (ii) at least one second compartment capable of simultaneously receiving all of the tabs of device (a), the longitudinal axis of each second compartment disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinally aligned first compartments; and wherein each first and second compartment is sealed with a protective strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each tab comprises a defined area containing at least one receptor capable of specifically binding the same analyte.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the receptors on each tab are the same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each tab further comprises a pointed tip adapted to pierce the protective strip of the compartment into which it is immersed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said identification means comprises a strip capable of visually displaying the source of the analyte.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said strip is a surface adapted to be written on.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said identification means comprises a magnetic strip which is readable by a computer means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein at least two of said tabs are of different heights relative to said peripheral edge from which said tabs extend.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein all of said tabs are of the same height relative to said peripheral edge from which said tabs extend.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising (c) an optical measuring device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said optical measuring device comprises fiber optics.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 11 further comprising (d) computer means associated with said fiber optics for recording the results of the assay.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said solid, planar comb support is formed of high impact polystyrene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 13 wherein a portion of at least one tab has an abraded area carrying said at least one receptor thereon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the protective strip covering each compartment, when broken, is capable of exerting a squeegy action on the portion of the tabs passing into and out of the compartment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said protective strip comprises aluminum foil.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said tabs comprises a plurality of receptors positioned thereon and wherein each of said receptors is at a different height on said tab relative to the peripheral edge from which said tab extends.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the depth of each said first compartments is less than the distance from the peripheral edge of each said tab having an assay monitoring control immobilized thereon to the control immobilized thereon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
169 words
A reaction container adapted for use in a system for performing simultaneous multiple assays on a plurality of samples for at least one analyte without cross contamination among said multiple assays, said reaction container comprising a plurality of individual, longitudinally aligned first compartments capable of simultaneously receiving all of the tabs of a device comprising a solid, planar comb support in the form of a card and a plurality of planar tabs extending from a peripheral edge of said support in a spaced manner, each first compartment capable of receiving only one of said tabs, and at least one second compartment capable of simultaneously receiving all of the tabs of said device, the longitudinal axis of said second compartment disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of said plurality of longitudinally aligned first compartments, and each of said first and second compartments covered by a protective strip which, when broken, is capable of exerting a squeegy action on the portion of said tabs passing into and out of said compartments.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
169 words
A reaction container adapted for use in a system for performing simultaneous multiple assays on a plurality of samples for at least one analyte without cross contamination among said multiple assays, said reaction container comprising a plurality of individual, longitudinally aligned first compartments capable of simultaneously receiving all of the tabs of a device comprising a solid, planar comb support in the form of a card and a plurality of planar tabs extending from a peripheral edge of said support in a spaced manner, each first compartment capable of receiving only one of said tabs, and at least one second compartment capable of simultaneously receiving all of the tabs of said device, the longitudinal axis of said second compartment disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of said plurality of longitudinally aligned first compartments, and each of said first and second compartments covered by a protective strip which, when broken, is capable of exerting a squeegy action on the portion of said tabs passing into and out of said compartments.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The reaction container of claim 19 wherein said protective strip is aluminum foil.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The reaction container of claim 19 wherein at least one of said first compartments has a depth which is different from the depth of the other first compartments.