Methods and apparatus for detecting compounds in liquids

• US 10,024,873 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2017
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Undercover Colors, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Undercover Colors, Inc.
• Inventors: Letourneau, Nicolas, Khalifa, Aly, Gorczynski, Michael, Gomes, Catherina, Smith, Ronald, Paluskiewicz, Sarah, Gray, Stephen, Confrey-Maloney, Tyler
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Erik B
• Application Number:
  US15/606,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20170269108A1
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00055 Saturation indicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15 Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body non-absorbent catamenial receptacles A61F5/44; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/84 Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/422 the alarm being a colour change
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/429 Thermochromic materials, e.g. ink or dye
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8473 for diagnostic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/007 Devices specially adapted for forensic samples, e.g. tamper-proofing, sample tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/775 Indicator and selective membrane
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7763 Sample through flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7766 Capillary fill
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/146 containing alcohol
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/52 Use of compounds or compositions for colorimetric, spectrophotometric or fluorometric investigation, e.g. use of reagent paper and including single- and multilayer analytical elements immunological elements G01N33/54386; involving labelled immunochemicals G01N33/58; for haemoglobin or occult blood G01N33/72
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/525 Multi-layer analytical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/53 Immunoassay; Biospecific binding assay; Materials therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5306 Improving reaction conditions, e.g. reduction of non-specific binding, promotion of specific binding
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/531 Production of immunochemical test materials
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54313 the carrier being characterised by its particulate form
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54366 : Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54388 : based on lateral flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54393 : Improving reaction conditions or stability, e.g. by coating or irradiation of surface, by reduction of non-specific binding, by promotion of specific binding
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/558 : using diffusion or migration of antigen or antibody immunochromatographic test strips G01N33/54387
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/94 : involving narcotics or drugs or pharmaceuticals, neurotransmitters or associated receptors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/9426 : GABA, i.e. gamma-amino-butyrate

Abstract

Described herein are apparatus and methods for detecting substances of abuse or other analytes in liquids. For example, the apparatus and methods described herein can be used for real-time detection of analytes, such as substances of abuse. The methods comprise providing a detection area comprising a chromatographic membrane capable of receiving the liquid and allowing for migration of the liquid, the chromatographic membrane comprising an anti-analyte antibody-particle conjugate, an analyte-conjugate protein at a test line; exposing at least the first location of the apparatus to the liquid; and determining whether an interaction between the analyte-conjugate protein and the liquid occurs to detect the presence of the analyte. The chromatographic membrane may further comprise an anti-species antibody at a control line. Specific buffers are disclosed, and these buffers may be used in the preparation of the apparatus to overcome challenges associated with miniaturization and challenges associated with exposure to beverages.

Claims

1. An apparatus capable of detecting the presence of an analyte in a beverage, the apparatus comprising a lateral flow assay comprising a sample area for receiving a beverage, a conjugate area adjacent to the sample area but not overlapping the sample area, and a detection area adjacent to the conjugate area, wherein the detection area is in fluid communication with the sample area through the conjugate area,

wherein the sample area and the conjugate area comprise different areas of a first pad having a length and a width;

wherein the sample area extends along a first portion of the length of the first pad and across the width of the first pad and comprises at least one first buffering compound disposed across the entire sample area,

wherein the conjugate area extends along a second portion of the length of the first pad and across the width of the first pad and comprises a marker disposed in the conjugate area and at least one second buffering compound disposed across the entire conjugate area,

wherein the composition of the at least one first buffering compound is different from the composition of the at least one second buffering compound;

wherein the detection area comprises an analyte-conjugated protein disposed in the detection area at one or more test lines; and

wherein the at least one first buffering compound and the at least one second buffering compound are selected so the apparatus is capable of detecting the presence of the analyte in any one of at least two different beverages.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least two different beverages comprise two or more of a juice, a soda, a wine, a beer, a liquor, or a mixed drink.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sample area further comprises a surfactant that can precipitate one or more colored components of a beverage.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two different beverages is a mixed drink;

wherein the mixed drink comprises a liquor and a mixer;

wherein the liquor comprises one or more of vodka, rum, whiskey, gin, bourbon, and tequila; and

wherein the mixer comprises one or more of cranberry juice, lemonade, red punch, dairy, orange juice, tonic water, pineapple juice, cola, vegetable juice, club soda, and lime juice.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the analyte-conjugated protein comprises an analyte that comprises a benzodiazepine, ketamine, 4-hydroxybutanoic acid (GHB), ephedrine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, flunitrazepam, 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), clonazepam, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), zolpidem, eszopiclone, ramelteon, zaleplon, doxepine, triazolam, temazepam, diazepam, or alprazolam.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the analyte-conjugated protein comprises an analyte that comprises a date rape drug.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detection area comprises at least two different analyte-conjugated proteins disposed at one or more test lines to detect the presence of at least two different analytes.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sample area further comprises a viscosity modifier.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a clear laminate layer on the detection area.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises at least a portion of an artificial fingernail, a layer of fingernail polish, a fingernail sticker, or a fingernail decal, a nail wrap, a ring, a bracelet, a necklace, a charm, or a lanyard.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a length of 0.5 mm to 20 mm, a width of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, and a thickness of 0.02 mm to 5 mm.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one first buffering compound comprises a carboxylate salt or tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, and wherein the sample area further comprises at least one surfactant.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detection area comprises at least one third buffering compound disposed across the entire detection area.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the analyte-conjugated protein comprises an analyte that comprises a benzodiazepine, ketamine, 4-hydroxybutanoic acid (GHB), ephedrine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, flunitrazepam, 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), clonazepam, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), zolpidem, eszopiclone, ramelteon, zaleplon, doxepine, triazolam, temazepam, diazepam, or alprazolam.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the analyte-conjugated protein comprises an analyte that comprises a date rape drug.