DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE

• US 20070031978A1
• Filed: 06/16/2006
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: British Biocell International Ltd. (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated), Porvair Filtration Group Ltd. (Porvair PLC)
• Original Assignee: Porvair Filtration Group Ltd. (Porvair PLC)
• Inventors: Whitworth, Emma, Amey, John, Quinlan, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 7,354,614 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/514
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/521 Single-layer analytical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54386 Analytical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54388 based on lateral flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/558 using diffusion or migration of antigen or antibody immunochromatographic test strips G01N33/54387
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/97 Test strip or test slide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/971 Capture of complex after antigen-antibody reaction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/807 Apparatus included in process claim, e.g. physical support structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/81 Tube, bottle, or dipstick

Abstract

A diagnostic device 1 for performing an immunochromatographic analysis of a sample is disclosed. The diagnostic device 1 comprises a porous substrate 10 for performing the analysis and a pre-filter 30 to remove solid components, such as solublised faeces or samples containing suspended organic material to prevent blocking of the porous substrate or coloured particles so that the test result is more clearly visible. The diagnostic device may include a container into which a sample may be provided, with the interior of the container being sealably connectable to the diagnostic section of the device. The porous section may be encapsulated within a housing.

Claims

1. A diagnostic device for performing an immunochromatographic analysis of a sample, the device comprising

a porous substrate for a visually detectable indicator arranged to bind to a ligand or other material being tested for and

a filter arranged to act on a sample being tested before at least a portion of the sample encounters the porous substrate.

2. A diagnostic device according to claim 1, including a hydrophilic portion.

3. A diagnostic device according to claim 2, wherein the filter is hydrophilic.

4. A diagnostic device according to claim 1, including a container into which a sample may be provided, the interior of the container being sealably connectable to the diagnostic device.

5. A diagnostic device according to claim 4, wherein the porous substrate is encapsulated in a housing with means for sealably connecting the housing to the container.

6. A diagnostic device according to claim 5, wherein the housing maintains the filter in intimate contact with the porous substrate.

7. A diagnostic device according to claim 1 including a dosing portion arranged to receive up to a predetermined maximum volume of a sample from the filter.

8. A diagnostic device according to claim 7, wherein the dosing portion is arranged to be moved out of contact with the filter and into contact with the porous substrate.

9. A method of performing an analysis on a sample, the method comprising

filtering a sample to be tested and

providing the filtered sample to a porous substrate for a visually detectable indicator in the porous substrate to bind to a ligand or other material being tested for, if present in the sample.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the sample is provided in a container and the container is sealably connected to a housing containing the porous substrate and filter.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein a dosing portion is provided to receive up to a predetermined maximum volume of filtered sample and the dosing portion is initially in contact with a filter and not in contact with a porous substrate and is moved to be in contact with the porous substrate and not in contact with the filter.