Specific binding analysis method and device used therefor

• US 20030077673A1
• Filed: 10/16/2002
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kawamura, Tatsurou
• Granted Patent: US 7,537,731 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/7.9
• 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

Abstract

Disclosed is a specific binding analysis method capable of controlling the amount of specific binding to freely setting the sensitivity, concentration range and the like in an analysis, and a device used therefor. In order to optimize the amount of specific binding, the specific binding analysis method and the device used therefor restrain the amount and velocity of a sample passing, by capillarity, through a detection zone, by controlling the dimensions, ventilation resistance, hydrophilicity and the like in the portion of the device where the sample passes through.

Claims

1. A specific binding analysis method for qualitatively or quantitatively analyzing an analyte in a sample, comprising the steps of:

providing a specific binding analysis device comprising;

a sample application zone for applying a sample containing an analyte;

a space forming zone which is connected to said sample application zone and capable of exhibiting capillarity; and

a detection zone which is provided in said space forming zone and capable of detecting a signal attributed to a specific binding reaction;

applying said sample to said sample application zone to allow said sample to move, by capillarity, into said detection zone in said space forming zone to cause a specific binding reaction, thereby generating a signal attributed to said specific binding reaction, said signal being detected to perform a qualitative or quantitative analysis; and

restraining a velocity at which said sample passes through said detection zone such that an intensity of said signal is substantially constant for samples having the same concentration, thereby controlling a time during which said specific binding reaction occurs.

2. The specific binding analysis method in accordance with claim 1,

wherein the cross-sectional area and length of a portion of said space forming zone opened to an external atmosphere is controlled to restrain a velocity at which said sample passes through said detection zone, thereby controlling a time during which said specific binding reaction occurs.

3. The specific binding analysis method in accordance with claim 1,

wherein an air-permeable member is disposed in said space forming zone at a portion thereof opened to an external atmosphere to restrain a velocity at which said sample passes through said detection zone, thereby controlling a time during which said specific binding reaction occurs.

4. The specific binding analysis method in accordance with claim 1,

wherein a contact angle between said space forming zone and said sample is controlled to restrain a velocity at which said sample passes through said detection zone, thereby controlling a time during which said specific binding reaction occurs.

5. The specific binding analysis method in accordance with claim 4,

wherein the hydrophilicity of a contact surface between said space forming zone and said sample is controlled by performing a treatment to provide hydrophilicity or water-repellency on said contact surface to restrain a velocity at which said sample passes through said detection zone, thereby controlling a time during which said specific binding reaction occurs.

6. The specific binding analysis method in accordance with claim 1,

wherein a length between said sample application zone and said detection zone is controlled to restrain a velocity at which said sample passes through said detection zone, thereby controlling a time during which said specific binding reaction occurs.

7. The specific binding analysis method in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the steps of:

(A) causing said analyte to bind to a first specific binding substance which is capable of specifically binding to said analyte and labeled with a detectable labeling material;

(B) causing said analyte to bind to a second specific binding substance which is capable of specifically binding to said analyte and is substantially immobilized in said detection zone;

(C) measuring an intensity of a signal which is generated in said detection zone and attributed to said labeling material; and

(D) performing a qualitative or quantitative analysis of said analyte in said sample based on said intensity of said signal measured in said step (C).

8. The specific binding analysis method in accordance with claim 7,

wherein, in said step (B), said first specific binding substance is caused to bind, via said analyte, to said second specific binding substance.

9. The specific binding analysis method in accordance with any of claims 1 to 8,

wherein said first specific binding substance is retained on a contact surface between said sample application zone and said detection zone in said space forming zone, and

said first specific binding substance becomes movable on said contact surface when humidified by application of said sample, thereby allowing said first specific binding substance to move to said detection zone.

10. A specific binding analysis device for performing a qualitative or quantitative analysis of an analyte contained in a sample, said device comprising:

a sample application zone for applying a sample containing an analyte;

a space forming zone which is connected to said sample application zone and capable of exhibiting capillarity;

a detection zone which is provided in said space forming zone and capable of detecting a signal attributed to a specific binding reaction; and

a ventilation resistance controlling means for restraining a velocity at which said sample passes through said detection zone,

wherein a sample applied to said sample application zone moves, by capillarity, to said detection zone in said space forming zone to cause a specific binding reaction and a signal attributed to said specific binding reaction is detected to perform a qualitative or quantitative analysis.

11. The specific binding analysis device in accordance with claim 10,

wherein said ventilation resistance controlling means is a material having ventilation resistance disposed in said space forming zone at a portion thereof opened to an external atmosphere.

12. The specific binding analysis device in accordance with claim 11,

wherein said ventilation resistance material is an air-permeable member.

13. The specific binding analysis device in accordance with claim 10,

wherein said space forming zone comprises two flat plates and a spacer defining a space between said flat plates,

said detection zone being disposed on at least one of said flat plates, and

a signal attributed to said specific binding reaction is detected through said at least one of said flat plates.

14. The specific binding analysis device in accordance with claim 13,

wherein said detection zone is formed by fixing a matrix carrier having a large surface area on at least one of said flat plates and immobilizing a specific binding substance in said matrix carrier.