METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EXTENDING DYNAMIC RANGE IN ASSAYS FOR THE DETECTION OF MOLECULES OR PARTICLES
First Claim
1. A system for determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a fluid sample, comprising:
- an assay substrate comprising a plurality of locations each comprising a binding surface forming or contained within such locations, wherein at least one binding surface comprises at least one analyte molecule or particle immobilized on the binding surface;
at least one detector configured to address a plurality of the locations, able to produce at least one signal indicative of the presence or absence of an analyte molecule or particle at each location addressed and having an intensity varying with the number of analyte molecules or particles at each location; and
at least one signal processor configured to determine from the at least one signal the percentage of said locations containing at least one analyte molecule or particle, and further configured to, based upon the percentage, either determine a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in the fluid sample based at least in part on the number of locations containing at least one analyte molecule or particle, or determine a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in the fluid sample based at least in part on an intensity level of the at least one signal indicative of the presence of a plurality of analyte molecules or particles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described herein are systems and methods for extending the dynamic range of assay methods and systems used for determining the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a fluid sample. In some embodiments, a method comprises spatially segregating a plurality of analyte molecules in a fluid sample into a plurality of locations. At least a portion of the locations may be addressed to determine the percentage of said locations containing at least one analyte molecule. Based at least in part on the percentage, a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules in the fluid sample may be determined using an analog, intensity-based detection/analysis method/system and/or a digital detection/analysis method/system. In some cases, the assay may comprise the use of a plurality of capture objects.
8 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a fluid sample, comprising:
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an assay substrate comprising a plurality of locations each comprising a binding surface forming or contained within such locations, wherein at least one binding surface comprises at least one analyte molecule or particle immobilized on the binding surface; at least one detector configured to address a plurality of the locations, able to produce at least one signal indicative of the presence or absence of an analyte molecule or particle at each location addressed and having an intensity varying with the number of analyte molecules or particles at each location; and at least one signal processor configured to determine from the at least one signal the percentage of said locations containing at least one analyte molecule or particle, and further configured to, based upon the percentage, either determine a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in the fluid sample based at least in part on the number of locations containing at least one analyte molecule or particle, or determine a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in the fluid sample based at least in part on an intensity level of the at least one signal indicative of the presence of a plurality of analyte molecules or particles. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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2. A method for determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a fluid sample, comprising:
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providing analyte molecules or particles immobilized with respect to a binding surface having affinity for at least one type of analyte molecule or particle, the binding surface forming or contained within one of a plurality of locations on a substrate; addressing at least some of the plurality of locations and determining a measure indicative of the percentage of said locations containing at least one analyte molecule or particle; and based upon the percentage, either determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in the fluid sample based at least in part on the number of locations containing at least one analyte molecule or particle or determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in the fluid sample based at least in part on a measured intensity of a signal that is indicative of the presence of a plurality of analyte molecules or particles. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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3. A method for determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a fluid sample, comprising:
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exposing a plurality of capture objects, each including a binding surface having affinity for at least one type of analyte molecule or particle, to a solution containing or suspected of containing the at least one type of analyte molecules or particles, wherein at least some of the capture objects become associated with at least one analyte molecule or particle; spatially segregating at least a portion of the capture objects subjected to the exposing step into a plurality of locations; addressing at least some of the plurality of locations and determining a measure indicative of the percentage said locations containing a capture object associated with at least one analyte molecule or particle, wherein the locations addressed are locations which contain at least one capture object; and based upon the percentage, either determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in the fluid sample based at least in part on the number of locations containing a capture object associated with at least one analyte molecule or particle, or determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in the fluid sample based at least in part on a measured intensity level of a signal of that is indicative of the presence of a plurality of analyte molecules or particles. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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21-41. -41. (canceled)
Specification