Assay devices that utilize hollow particles

• US 20060216834A1
• Filed: 05/25/2006
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Chibueze Obinna Chidebelu-Eze, Kaiyuan Yang, Ning Wei, Rosann Kaylor, Zdravko Savov Atanassov
• Inventors: Atanassov, Zdravko Savov, Wei, Ning, Yang, Kaiyuan, Chidebelu-Eze, Chibueze Obinna, Kaylor, Rosann
• Granted Patent: US 7,829,328 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/514
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/558 using diffusion or migration of antigen or antibody immunochromatographic test strips G01N33/54387
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/587 Nanoparticles

Abstract

Hollow particles for use in various types of assay devices are provided. Due to their hollow or voided structure, the particles may exhibit a variety of beneficial properties. For instance, hollow particles are generally lightweight, and thus, relatively inexpensive in comparison to other types of particles. Hollow particles may also form a stable system without requiring refrigeration or rotation. In addition, hollow particles may possess enhanced light diffraction capabilities, which may be particularly beneficial in certain types of assay devices, e.g., diffraction-based assay devices.

Claims

1. An assay device for detecting an analyte in a test sample, the assay device comprising:

a porous membrane that defines a detection zone, wherein a biological receptive material is immobilized within the detection zone; and

detection probes that contain latex particles having an average size of from about 0.1 nanometer to about 100 microns, wherein the latex particles individually define a hollow interior constituting at least about 20% of the spatial volume occupied by the particle, the latex particles further being conjugated with a specific binding member for the analyte;

wherein the detection probes are capable of generating a detection signal when present within the detection zone.

2. The assay device of claim 1 wherein the hollow interior constitutes at least about 30% of the spatial volume occupied by the particle.

3. The assay device of claim 1, wherein the average size of the latex particles ranges from about 1 nanometer to about 10 microns.

4. The assay device of claim 1, wherein the latex particles contain a polymer having a glass transition temperature that is greater than about 50°

C.

5. The assay device of claim 1, wherein the latex particles contain a polymer formed one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers.

6. The assay device of claim 1, wherein the latex particles have a spherical shape.

7. The assay device of claim 1, wherein the latex particles are monodispersed.