Assay device for evaluating entrainable substances

• US 20040180451A1
• Filed: 02/12/2004
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acaris Healthcare Solutions PLC
• Original Assignee: Acaris Healthcare Solutions PLC
• Inventors: Pirzad, Ramin, Cooke, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,575,717 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/518
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2205 with filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2273 Atmospheric sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/24 Suction devices G01N1/22 - G01N1/2294 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5302 Apparatus specially adapted for immunological test procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5308 for analytes not provided for elsewhere, e.g. nucleic acids, uric acid, worms, mites

Abstract

Diagnostic testing apparatus (10) for evaluating entrainable substances (e.g. for determining allergen activity in house dust), comprising a housing (12) for collection and testing of entrainable substances, the housing (12) having: an inlet (14); an outlet (16); a filter (18) disposed between the inlet and the outlet which is configured to capture substances entrained in air flowing from the inlet (14) to the outlet (16); a reservoir (20) for storing fluid for use in evaluating substances captured on the filter (18); and means (21, 24) for releasing stored fluid from the reservoir (20) onto the filter (18).

Claims

1. Diagnostic testing apparatus (10) for evaluating dust entrained in an air flow, comprising a housing (12) for collection and testing of entrainable substances, the housing having:

an inlet (14);

an outlet (16); and

a filter (18) disposed in a flow path defined by the housing between the inlet (14) and the outlet (16), the filter being configured to capture dust substances entrained in air flowing from the inlet (14) to the outlet (16);

characterised by

a reservoir (20) located out of the flow path for storing fluid for use in evaluating dust substances captured on the filter, the reservoir being configured to allow stored fluid to be released from the reservoir onto the filter when evaluating dust substances captured thereon.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the reservoir is located on the inlet side of the filter.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the housing further comprises a chamber for collecting fluid released from the reservoir which has passed through the filter.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the collection chamber comprises an active ingredient for reacting with collected fluid.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, in which the collection chamber includes a display for displaying results of substance evaluation.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, in which the display apparatus comprises a window for viewing contents of the collection chamber.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, in which the collection chamber further comprises a compartment for storage of a chemical for use in evaluating collected fluid, and means for releasing a chemical stored in the compartment when required.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which the compartment is located out of the flow path.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the reservoir has an opening with a seal preventing stored fluid from being released through the opening onto the filter until substances captured thereon are to be evaluated.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which the seal comprises a frangible member which prevents stored fluid from being released onto the filter until the member is broken.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which the reservoir further comprises an actuator operable to rupture the frangible member.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the inlet or the outlet comprises a passageway which projects inwardly into the housing, defining a nozzle which is spaced from adjacent walls of the housing.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the passageway defines a tortuous flow path, whereby stored fluid released from the reservoir is more readily retained in the housing.