Method and apparatus for immunoassays
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in an immunoassay process for the detection of a target antigen in a liquid sample comprising:
- (a) a first member which is a porous membrane or filter and to which is bound an antibody against the target antigen, which member has upper and lower surface, the sample being applied to the upper surface, and wherein the antibody is bound within an area smaller than the area of the member to which the sample is applied; and
(b) a second member which is a body of absorbent material having a surface over which the first member is placed and having capillaries therethrough in a direction generally transverse to the surface over which the first member is placed, which capillaries are in communication with the pores on the lower surface of the first member so as to draw liquid added to the upper surface which has permeated the first member into the capillaries of the member, the capillary communication between said first and second members having been established prior to, and maintained during, addition of liquids to the apparatus in the immunoassay process.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein is an apparatus and process for conducting immunoassays. The apparatus comprises a first member which is a membrane or a filter to which is bound an antibody, typically a monoclonal antibody, or which is capable of extracting cells from a fluid sample. The apparatus further comprises a second member which is composed of absorbent material which acts when in contact with the first member to induce flow through the first member when a fluid sample is added to it. The apparatus is used to conduct immunoassays by applying a sample to the upper surface of the first member to bind antigen in the sample by means of antibody fixed to the first member or, in certain cases, by extracting cellular material which has antigen associated with it. Addition of the sample is followed by addition of labeled antibody against the antigen being assayed followed by a washing step to remove unbound labeled antibody. The presence of labeled antibody on the first member after washing is indicative of the presence of the antigen in the sample being assayed.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in an immunoassay process for the detection of a target antigen in a liquid sample comprising:
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(a) a first member which is a porous membrane or filter and to which is bound an antibody against the target antigen, which member has upper and lower surface, the sample being applied to the upper surface, and wherein the antibody is bound within an area smaller than the area of the member to which the sample is applied; and (b) a second member which is a body of absorbent material having a surface over which the first member is placed and having capillaries therethrough in a direction generally transverse to the surface over which the first member is placed, which capillaries are in communication with the pores on the lower surface of the first member so as to draw liquid added to the upper surface which has permeated the first member into the capillaries of the member, the capillary communication between said first and second members having been established prior to, and maintained during, addition of liquids to the apparatus in the immunoassay process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An immunoassay process for the detection of a target antigen in a liquid sample employing as an assay device an apparatus comprising:
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(a) a first member which is a porous membrane or filter and to which is bound an antibody against the target antigen which member has upper and lower surfaces, the sample being applied to the upper surface, and wherein the antibody is bound within an area smaller than the area of the member to which the sample is applied; and (b) a second member which is a body of absorbent material having a surface over which the first member is placed and having capillaries therethrough in a direction generally transverse to the surface over which the first member is placed, which capillaries are in communication with the pores on the lower surface of the first member so as to draw liquid added to the upper surface which has permeated the first member into the capillaries of the second member, the capillary communication between said first and second member having been established prior to, and maintained during, addition of liquids to the apparatus in the immunoassay process; the process comprising adding the sample and other reagents used in the assay to the upper surface of the first member and detecting antigen bound to the antibody on the first member. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification