Drug and alcohol assay assembly

• US 20030166264A1
• Filed: 12/04/2002
• Published: 09/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dave Smith, Eric Waltzer, Greg Liang, Mike Smith, Roger Tatum, Thomas J. Foley
• Original Assignee: Dave Smith, Eric Waltzer, Greg Liang, Mike Smith, Roger Tatum, Thomas J. Foley
• Inventors: Liang, Greg, Smith, Dave, Smith, Mike, Waltzer, Eric, Tatum, Roger, Foley, Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US10/310,660
• Publication Number:
  US 20030166264A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/287.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0051 for taking saliva or sputum samples devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0283 with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/23 Mixing of laboratory samples e.g. in preparation of analysing or testing properties of materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/452 using independent floating stirring elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/81 Combinations of similar mixers, e.g. with rotary stirring devices in two or more receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/812 in two or more alternative mixing receptacles, e.g. mixing in one receptacle and dispensing from another receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/713 comprising breaking packages or parts thereof, e.g. piercing or opening sealing elements between compartments or cartridges containers or packages per se B65D
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7137 Piercing, perforating or melting membranes or closures which seal the compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7161 the containers being connected coaxially before contacting the contents
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7163 the containers being connected in a mouth-to-mouth, end-to-end disposition, i.e. the openings are juxtaposed before contacting the contents
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7174 using pistons, plungers or syringes
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/754251 reciprocating in the mixing receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/041 Connecting closures to device or container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0622 distribution valves, valves having multiple inlets and/or outlets, e.g. metering valves, multi-way valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0644 rotary valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 : with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/02 : Devices for withdrawing samples sampling of foundation soil E02D1/04; collecting or conveying radioactive samples G01T7/00, e.g. G01T7/02, G01T7/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00158 : Elements containing microarrays, i.e. "biochip"
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48714 : for determining substances foreign to the organism, e.g. drugs or heavy metals drugs by chemical analysis G01N33/94
• 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 33/54373 : involving physiochemical end-point determination, e.g. wave-guides, FETS, gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/98 : involving alcohol, e.g. ethanol in breath
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7036 : Jacketed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1002 : with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 : Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Assemblies and methods are provided for performing an assay on a sample for drugs and alcohol. A drug and alcohol assay assembly includes a sample feed port, and immunoassay reaction chamber containing a drug reagent, and a first sample flow channel in fluid communication between the sample feed port and the immunoassay reaction chamber. The assembly further includes an alcohol reaction chamber configured for containing an alcohol reagent, and a second sample flow channel in fluid communication between the sample feed port and the alcohol reaction chamber. The assembly can further include a first buffer flow channel in fluid communication with the immunoassay reaction chamber, a second buffer flow channel in fluid communication with the alcohol reaction chamber, and a reagent chamber disposed within the buffer flow channel. The reagent chamber can contain dry alcohol reagent. In this case, the alcohol reagent can include a reagent solution, where the reagent chamber is configured to produce the reagent solution for dispensing in the alcohol reaction chamber when buffer flows through the buffer flow channel. The drug reagent can be specific to one of the NIDA drugs-of-abuse.

Claims

1. A drug and alcohol assay assembly, comprising:

a sample feed port;

an immunoassay reaction chamber containing a drug reagent;

a first sample flow channel in fluid communication between said sample feed port and said immunoassay reaction chamber;

an alcohol reaction chamber configured for containing an alcohol reagent; and

a second sample flow channel in fluid communication between said sample feed port and said alcohol reaction chamber.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said drug reagent is for one of the NIDA drugs-of-abuse.

3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a first buffer flow channel in fluid communication with said immunoassay reaction chamber;

a second buffer flow channel in fluid communication with said alcohol reaction chamber; and

a reagent chamber disposed within said buffer flow channel., said reagent chamber containing dry alcohol reagent.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said alcohol reagent comprises a reagent solution, said reagent chamber is configured to produce said reagent solution for dispensing in said alcohol reaction chamber when buffer flows through said buffer flow channel.

5. A drug and alcohol assay assembly, comprising:

an immunoassay reaction chamber containing a drug reagent;

a first sample chamber in fluid communication with said immunoassay reaction chamber, and being configured for containing sample;

an alcohol reaction chamber configured for containing an alcohol reagent; and

a second sample chamber in fluid communication with said immunoassay reaction chamber, and being configured for containing said sample.

6. The assembly of claim 5, further comprising a sample feed port in fluid communication with said first and second sample chamber.

7. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said drug reagent is for one of the NIDA drugs-of-abuse.

8. The assembly of claim 5, further comprising:

a sample dispense plunger disposed within said first sample chamber, and being movable to dispense said sample from said first sample chamber into said immunoassay reaction chamber;

an air flow port in communication with said second sample chamber, and being configured to dispense said sample from said second sample chamber into said alcohol reaction chamber when air is flowed through said air flow port.

9. The assembly of claim 8, further comprising a valve for selectively placing said first sample chamber in fluid communication with said immunoassay reaction chamber, and for selectively placing said second sample chamber in fluid communication with said alcohol reaction chamber.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said valve is a rotary valve.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said rotary valve comprises a stator and a rotor disposed within said stator, and said second sample chamber comprises a shear valve formed within said rotor.

12. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a first buffer chamber in fluid communication with said immunoassay reaction chamber, said first buffer chamber containing buffer, and said immunoassay reaction chamber containing dry drug reagent;

a second buffer chamber containing buffer; and

a reagent chamber in fluid communication between said second buffer chamber and said alcohol reaction chamber, said reagent chamber containing dry alcohol reagent.

13. The assembly of claim 12, further comprising:

a first buffer dispense plunger disposed within said first buffer chamber, and being movable to dispense said buffer from said first buffer chamber into said immunoassay reaction chamber to hydrate said dry drug reagent; and

a second buffer dispense plunger disposed within said second buffer chamber, and being movable to dispense said buffer from said second buffer chamber through said immunoassay reaction chamber to hydrate said dry alcohol reagent, wherein a reagent solution is produced and dispensed into said alcohol reaction chamber.

14. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

a sample dispense plunger disposed within said first sample chamber, and being movable to dispense said sample from said first sample chamber into said immunoassay reaction chamber, wherein said hydrated drug reagent reacts with said sample if said sample contains a drug; and

an air flow port in communication with said second sample chamber, and being configured to dispense said sample from said second chamber into said alcohol reaction chamber when air is flowed through said air flow port, wherein said reagent solution reacts with said sample if said sample contains alcohol.

15. A method of performing a drug and alcohol assay, comprising:

flowing sample into an immunoassay reaction chamber containing a drug reagent;

reacting said sample with said drug reagent;

flowing said sample into an alcohol reaction chamber containing an alcohol reagent; and

reacting said sample with said alcohol reagent.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said drug reagent is for one of the NIDA drugs-of-abuse.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

flowing a first buffer into said immunoassay reaction chamber to produce a hydrated drug reagent;

flowing a second buffer through a reagent chamber to produce an alcohol reagent solution; and

flowing said alcohol reagent solution into said alcohol reaction chamber.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said sample is pumped into said immunoassay reaction chamber, and said sample is pumped into said alcohol reaction chamber.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said sample and said first buffer are pumped into said immunoassay reaction chamber, and said sample and said second buffer are pumped into said alcohol reaction chamber.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said sample comprises saliva.

21. A flow immunoassay and alcohol detection assembly, comprising:

an immunoassay reaction chamber containing a drug reagent;

a first sample chamber in fluid communication with said immunoassay reaction chamber;

a read cell in fluid communication with said immunoassay reaction chamber;

a first energy source configured to transmit energy through said read cell;

a first energy detector configured to receive energy from said read cell;

an alcohol reaction chamber configured for containing an alcohol reagent;

a second sample chamber in fluid communication between said sample feed port and said immunoassay reaction chamber;

a second energy source configured to transmit energy through said alcohol reaction chamber;

a second energy detector configured to receive energy from said alcohol reaction chamber; and

processing circuitry configured for determining a presence of a drug in said sample based on said energy received by said first energy detector, and configured for determining a presence of alcohol in said sample based on said energy received by said second energy detector.

22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said drug reagent is for one of the NIDA drugs-of-abuse.

23. The assembly of claim 21, further comprising:

a sample dispense plunger disposed within said first sample chamber, and being movable to dispense said sample from said first chamber through said immunoassay reaction chamber and said read cell;

an air flow port in communication with said second sample chamber, and being configured to dispense said sample from said second sample chamber into said alcohol reaction chamber when air is flowed through said air flow port.

24. The assembly of claim 23, further comprising a valve for selectively placing said first sample chamber in fluid communication with said immunoassay reaction chamber, and for selectively placing said second sample chamber in fluid communication with said alcohol reaction chamber.

25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein said valve is a rotary valve.

26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein said rotary valve comprises a stator and a rotor disposed within said stator, and said second sample chamber comprises a shear valve formed within said rotor.

27. The assembly of claim 21, further comprising:

a first buffer chamber in fluid communication with said immunoassay reaction chamber, said first buffer chamber containing buffer, and said immunoassay reaction chamber containing dry drug reagent;

a second buffer chamber containing buffer; and

a reagent chamber in fluid communication between said second buffer chamber and said alcohol reaction chamber, said reagent chamber containing dry alcohol reagent.

28. The assembly of claim 27, further comprising:

a first buffer dispense plunger disposed within said first buffer chamber, and being movable to dispense said buffer from said first buffer chamber into said immunoassay reaction chamber to hydrate said dry drug reagent; and

a second buffer dispense plunger disposed within said second buffer chamber, and being movable to dispense said buffer from said second buffer chamber through said immunoassay reaction chamber to hydrate said dry alcohol reagent, wherein a reagent solution is produced and dispensed into said alcohol reaction chamber.

29. The assembly of claim 28, further comprising:

a sample dispense plunger disposed within said first sample chamber, and being movable to dispense said sample from said first sample chamber into said immunoassay reaction chamber, wherein said hydrated drug reagent reacts with said sample if said sample contains a drug; and

an air flow port in communication with said second sample chamber, and being configured to dispense said sample from said second chamber into said alcohol reaction chamber when air is flowed through said air flow port, wherein said reagent solution reacts with said sample if said sample contains alcohol.

30. The assembly of claim 27, further comprising a calibrator chamber in fluid communication with said alcohol reaction chamber, said calibrator chamber containing a predetermined quantity of alcohol.

31. The assembly of claim 29, further comprising:

a calibrator chamber in fluid communication with said alcohol reaction chamber, said calibrator chamber containing a calibrator solution having a predetermined quantity of alcohol; and

a calibrator dispense plunger disposed within said calibrator chamber, and being movable to dispense said calibrator solution from said calibrator chamber into said alcohol reaction chamber to react with said reagent solution.

32. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said first energy source comprises a first optical source, said second energy source comprises a second optical source, said first energy detector comprises a first optical detector, and said second energy detector comprises a second optical detector.

33. A method of analyzing a sample, comprising:

flowing said sample through an immunoassay reaction chamber, wherein said immunoassay reaction chamber produces a drug detectable sample solution containing a drug indicator;

measuring said drug indicator;

determining a presence of a drug analyte within said sample based on said measured drug indicator;

flowing said sample into an alcohol reaction chamber containing an alcohol reagent, wherein said alcohol reaction chamber produces an alcohol detectable sample solution containing an alcohol indicator;

measuring said alcohol indicator; and

determining a presence of alcohol within said sample based on said measured alcohol indicator.

34. The method of claim 33,

wherein said drug indicator emits optical energy when excited, and said alcohol indicator measuring comprises optically exciting said displaced labeled antigen to emit optical energy and measuring said emitted optical energy;

wherein said alcohol indicator exhibits an optical absorbance value at a specific optical wavelength, wherein said alcohol indicator measuring comprises transmitting optical energy through said alcohol detectable sample solution at said specified wavelength, and measuring said transmitted optical energy after it is transmitted through said alcohol detectable sample solution.

35. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

flowing a first buffer into said immunoassay reaction chamber to produce a hydrated drug reagent, wherein said sample reacts with said hydrated drug reagent to produce said drug detectable sample solution;

flowing a second buffer through a reagent chamber to produce an alcohol reagent solution; and

flowing said alcohol reagent solution into said alcohol reaction chamber, wherein said sample reacts with said alcohol reagent solution to produce said alcohol detectable sample solution.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein said sample is pumped into said immunoassay reaction chamber, and said sample is pumped into said alcohol reaction chamber.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein said sample and said first buffer are pumped into said immunoassay reaction chamber, and said sample and said second buffer are pumped into said alcohol reaction chamber.

38. The method of claim 33, further comprising flowing a calibrator solution containing a predetermined quantity of alcohol into said alcohol reaction chamber to produce an alcohol detectable calibration solution containing an initial alcohol indicator;

measuring said initial alcohol indicator; and

calibrating said reagent solution.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein said sample comprises saliva.