Immunoassay testing kit and containers

• US 20020031842A1
• Filed: 08/16/2001
• Published: 03/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ricky T. Smethers, Wendy R. Whitcomb, William B. Greger
• Original Assignee: Ricky T. Smethers, Wendy R. Whitcomb, William B. Greger
• Inventors: Smethers, Ricky T., Greger, William B., Whitcomb, Wendy R.
• Application Number:
  US09/877,873
• Publication Number:
  US 20020031842A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/518
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5302 Apparatus specially adapted for immunological test procedures

Abstract

A kit for use in an immunoassay testing device that detects a binding reaction between a pair of first and second substances, particularly biogenic substances, which specifically bind together allowing deposition of electrically conductive particles which fully or partially completing an essentially open electrical circuit. More particularly, the kit provides self contained reagent and testing packages that are less contaminant prone and subject to minimal waste. The kit has a self contained reagent package and a test cartridge that are accessible by the testing device. The reagent package has cavities for reagents and diluting fluids. The test cartridge has a cavity for the test specimen and circuitry that is closed upon deposition of electrically conductive particles following the binding reaction.

Claims

1. A testing kit for use in an immunoassay testing device that detects a binding reaction between a pair of first and second substances, particularly biogenic substances, which specifically bind together allowing deposition of electrically conductive particles which fully or partially complete an essentially open electrical circuit, said device having a conveying mechanism with a plurality of predetermined container positions, said kit comprising:

a first container receivable by said conveying mechanism having a plurality of cavities for receiving fluids, at least one of said fluids is one of said substances;

at least one second container receivable by said conveying mechanism to be displaced along said axis of motion of said conveying mechanism, said second container having a cavity and having electrical contacts for engagement from above when fit in said conveying mechanism, said electrical contacts being open ends of said circuit;

whereby, said testing device transfers at least one of said fluids from said first container to said second container causing a binding reaction in the presence of said other substance.

2. A testing kit as in claim 1 wherein said containers fit together to form fit within a segment of an annulus.

3. A testing kit as in claim 1, wherein said container is adjacent to said first container when it is in said conveying mechanism.

4. A first container as in claim 1 further comprising a film covering and sealing all of said cavities in said top.

5. A first container as in claim 4, wherein said film is sized and of a material to be penetratable by a needle.

6. A first container as in claim 4, wherein said film is metal foil.

7. A first container as in claim 1 wherein at least one of said cavities contains a diluting fluid for cleansing a needle of said testing device.

8. A first container as in claim 7, wherein said plurality of cavities is 18 cavities, wherein 12 cavities are arranged in a first row of six cavities and a second row of six cavities, said remaining cavities being arranged in a third row interposed between said first row and said second row of said cavities.

9. A first container as in claim 7, wherein said cavities are nonreactive with said fluids.

10. A first container as in claim 7, wherein said cavities are polypropylene.

11. A first container as in claim 7, wherein said cavities are polyethylene.

12. A first container as in claim 7, wherein said fluids include reagents selected from a group consisting of gold-conjugated antibody, hydroquinone, Tris, distilled H₂O, and silver lactate.

13. A first container as in claim 7, wherein said base and top is non-light transmissive.

14. A first container as in claim 7, wherein said plurality of cavities have volumes between 385 microliters and 1600 microliters.

15. A first container as in claim 1, wherein said first container has a top and rear wall, said top extends past said rear wall and has at least one indent for detection by a position sensing mechanism in said testing device.

16. A second container as in claim 1 wherein said cavity has a front wall, a rear wall, a pair of opposing sidewalls, and a bottom;

said electrical contacts are on a first resistor sheet having a resistor, said resistor sheet being mounted to one of said sidewalls in said cavity.

17. A second container as in claim 16, wherein said front wall and said rear wall extend inwardly and downwardly toward a receptacle at said bottom.

18. A second container as in claim 16, wherein said resistor has a resistance of at least 150 ohms.

19. A second container as in claim 16, further comprising a second resistor sheet mounted to said sidewall opposite said first resistor sheet.

20. A second container as in claim 16, wherein said resistor sheet has at least one resistor in close proximity to said bottom of said cavity, said resistor being electrically connected to said electrical contacts forming a circuit and having a layer of said other substances overlaying said resistor, said electrical contacts being at said top of said cavity, wherein said binding of said substances allows deposition of electrically conductive particles completing said circuit.

21. A second container as in claim 16, wherein said second container is formed from two halves generally symmetrical about a central plane.

22. A second container as in claim 16, wherein said top extends past said rear wall and has an indent for detection by a position sensing mechanism in said testing device.

24. A test cartridge as in claim 23, wherein said electrical circuit is essentially open by a resistor.

26. A reagent package for use in an immunoassay testing device as claimed in claim 25, wherein said fluids include reagents selected from a group consisting of gold-conjugated antibody, hydroquinone, Tris, distilled H₂O, and silver lactate.

23. A test cartridge for use in an immunoassay testing device that detects a binding reaction between a pair of first and second substances, particularly biogenic substances, which specifically bind together allowing deposition of electrically conductive particles which fully or partially complete an essentially open electrical circuit, said device having a conveying mechanism with a plurality of predetermined container positions, said test cartridge comprising:

a base having a top;

an upwardly facing cavity in said top; and

at least one essentially open electrical circuit mounted in said cavity having electrical contacts for engagement with said testing device, said electrical contacts being open ends of said circuit, whereby said electrical circuit closes upon deposition of electrically conductive particles following said binding reaction.

25. A reagent package for use in an immunoassay testing device that detects a binding reaction between a pair of first and second substances, particularly biogenic substances, which specifically bind together allowing deposition of electrically conductive particles which fully or partially complete an essentially open electrical circuit, said device having a conveying mechanism with a plurality of predetermined container positions, said reagent package comprising:

a base having a top;

a plurality of upwardly facing cavities in said top, said cavities for receiving fluids, some of said cavities being of different volumetric capacities, at least one of said fluids is one of said substances, said cavities being nonreactive with said fluids; and

a penetrable film covering said cavities.