Assay Device Having Multiple Reagent Cells
First Claim
1. An assay device comprising:
- a liquid sample zone;
a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone comprising at least two reagent cells containing a reagent material and arranged in the reagent zone such that each reagent cell experiences substantially the same flow conditions of sample from the sample zone, wherein the reagent cells divide the sample flow from the sample zone into multiple flow streams;
one or more flow control elements disposed downstream from the reagent zone which combine the multiple flow streams into fewer flow streams;
a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone; and
a wicking zone in fluid communication with the detection zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone, wherein the sample addition zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone. The reagent zone includes at least two reagent cells containing a reagent material and arranged in the reagent zone such that each reagent cell experiences substantially the same flow conditions of sample from the sample zone. The reagent cells divide the sample flow from the sample zone into multiple flow streams. Also includes are: one or more flow control elements disposed downstream from the reagent zone which combine the multiple flow streams into fewer flow streams; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone; and a wicking zone in fluid communication with the detection zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone. The sample addition zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path.
11 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An assay device comprising:
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a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone comprising at least two reagent cells containing a reagent material and arranged in the reagent zone such that each reagent cell experiences substantially the same flow conditions of sample from the sample zone, wherein the reagent cells divide the sample flow from the sample zone into multiple flow streams; one or more flow control elements disposed downstream from the reagent zone which combine the multiple flow streams into fewer flow streams; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone; and a wicking zone in fluid communication with the detection zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone, wherein the sample addition zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 23)
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7. An assay device comprising:
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a liquid sample addition zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample addition zone comprising 2n reagent cells, where n is a non-zero, non-negative integer, arranged in the reagent zone such that each reagent cell experiences substantially the same flow conditions of sample from the sample addition zone, wherein the reagent cells divide the sample flow from the sample addition zone into multiple flow streams; flow control elements which separate the reagent cells; one or more flow control elements disposed downstream from the reagent zone which combine the multiple flow streams into fewer flow streams; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone capable of producing a detectable signal; and a wicking zone in fluid communication with the capture zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the capture zone, wherein the sample addition zone, the capture zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of controlling the flow around the reagent zone in an assay device comprising:
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providing a liquid sample zone; providing a reagent zone upstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone comprising at least two reagent cells arranged in the reagent zone such that each reagent cell experiences substantially the same flow conditions of sample from the sample zone, wherein the reagent cells divide the sample flow from the sample zone into multiple flow streams; providing one or more flow control elements disposed upstream from the reagent zone, arranged to provide channel gates having a width narrower than the reagent cells and which are adapted to constrict the flow from the sample leaving the sample zone; providing one or more flow control elements disposed downstream from the reagent zone which combine the multiple flow streams into fewer flow streams; providing a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone; providing a wicking zone in fluid communication with the capture zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the capture zone, wherein the sample zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path; adding sample to the sample zone; flowing the sample from the sample zone through the upstream flow channel gates which increase the velocity of the flow; flowing the sample past the reagent zone, whereby the flow has larger flow rate near the reagent boundary compared to the flow at a distance from the reagent boundary, resulting in a more complete dissolution of the reagent zone; flowing the sample past the downstream flow channel gates, which results in a wider reagent plume flowing through the detection zone, as compared to a reagent plume generated by a single reagent cell. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification