Multiple assay card and system
First Claim
1. An assay card adapted for treating and analyzing a sample comprising:
- a solid bottom plate having a top surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends;
a top plate having a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends;
a middle plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends, said middle plate being sandwiched between said bottom and top plates so that said middle plate top surface is adjacent to said top plate bottom surface and said middle plate bottom surface is adjacent said bottom plate top surface;
a sample slot in said middle plate adapted to receive and hold an assay rod, said slot extending from said middle plate top surface to said middle plate bottom surface, said slot defining an assay rod chamber located between said top and bottom plates;
a flexible indentation in said top plate bottom surface extending away from said middle plate which defines a solution chamber between said top plate bottom surface and said middle plate top surface;
conduit means betwen said solution chamber and assay rod chamber for providing conduits through which solution can be transferred between said assay rod chamber and said solution chamber; and
means associated with said assay rod chamber for introducing said sample into said assay rod chamber to interact with an assay rod located therein, said flexible top plate being deformable towards said middle plate at said indented portion defining said solution chamber to force solution through said conduit means to provide transfer of solution between said assay rod chamber and said solution chamber to provide treatment of said assay rod with said solution.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An assay card having a three-layer laminate construction in which various recessed channels and chambers are interconnected with protruding flexible chambers and channels to provide a completely self-contained analytical system adapted for treating and analyzing a sample utilizing a multiple assay rod. The configuration of the various channels and chambers are arranged so that a wide variety of analyses involving numerous steps can be accomplished using the card. The card is activated and analysis and/or treatment carried out by passing a roller bar or other pressure device over the top of the card to force solutions and reagents through the various card channels. In addition, the movement of the pressure bar over the card closes and opens various channels within the card to provide controlled and programmable transfer of solutions during treatment of the microassay rod. An assay rod having fluorescent marker layers is provided for use in analysis methods utilizing fluorescently marked detection substances.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An assay card adapted for treating and analyzing a sample comprising:
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a solid bottom plate having a top surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends; a top plate having a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends; a middle plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends, said middle plate being sandwiched between said bottom and top plates so that said middle plate top surface is adjacent to said top plate bottom surface and said middle plate bottom surface is adjacent said bottom plate top surface; a sample slot in said middle plate adapted to receive and hold an assay rod, said slot extending from said middle plate top surface to said middle plate bottom surface, said slot defining an assay rod chamber located between said top and bottom plates; a flexible indentation in said top plate bottom surface extending away from said middle plate which defines a solution chamber between said top plate bottom surface and said middle plate top surface; conduit means betwen said solution chamber and assay rod chamber for providing conduits through which solution can be transferred between said assay rod chamber and said solution chamber; and means associated with said assay rod chamber for introducing said sample into said assay rod chamber to interact with an assay rod located therein, said flexible top plate being deformable towards said middle plate at said indented portion defining said solution chamber to force solution through said conduit means to provide transfer of solution between said assay rod chamber and said solution chamber to provide treatment of said assay rod with said solution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An assay card system adapted for treating and analyzing a sample utilizng multiple assay rods comprising:
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a card having; a solid bottom plate having a top surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends; a top plate having a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends; a middle plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends, said middle plate being sandwiched between said bottom and top plates so that said middle plate top surface is adjacent to said top plate bottom surface and said middle plate bottom surface is adjacent said bottom plate top surface; a sample slot in said middle plate adapted to receive and hold an assay rod, said slot extending from said middle plate top surface to said middle plate bottom surface, said slot defining an assay rod chamber located between said top and bottom plates; a flexible indentation in said top plate bottom surface extending away from said middle plate which defines a solution chamber between said top plate bottom surface and said middle plate top surface; conduit means between said solution chamber and assay rod chamber for providing conduits through which solution can be transferred between said assay rod chamber and said solution chamber; and means associated with said assay rod chamber for introducing said sample into said assay rod chamber to interact with an assay rod located therein; a pressure bar positioned to extend laterally across said top plate, said pressure bar being positioned adjacent to said top plate to deform said flexible indentation toward said middle plate; and means for moving said pressure bar longitudinally relative said assay card to force solution through said conduit means to transfer solution from said solution chamber to said assay chamber to provide treatment of said assay rod with said solution. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for treating and analyzing a sample comprising the steps of:
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providing an assay card comprising; a solid bottom plate having a top surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends; a top plate having a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends; a middle plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end, rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends, said middle plate being sandwiched between said bottom and top plates so that said middle plate top surface is adjacent to said top plate bottom surface and said middle plate bottom surface is adjacent said bottom plate top surface; a sample slot in said middle plate adapted to receive and hold an assay rod, said slot extending from said middle plate top surface to said middle plate bottom surface, said slot defining an assay rod chamber located between said top and bottom plates; a flexible indentation in said top plate bottom surface extending away from said middle plate which defines a solution chamber between said top plate bottom surface and said middle plate top surface; conduit means between said solution chamber and assay rod chamber for providing conduits through which solution can be transferred between said assay rod chamber and said solution chamber; introducing said sample into said assay rod chamber to interact with an assay rod located therein; and deforming said flexible indentation in said top plate towards said middle plate to force solution through said conduit means to provide transfer of solution to said assay rod chamber by peristaltic action to provide treatment of said assay rod with said solution.
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16. An assay card adapted for treating and analyzing a sample comprising:
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a card having a top surface, a bottom surface and an assay rod chamber located therein for housing an assay rod; a flexible structure protruding from the card top surface which defines a solution chamber; conduits means recessed in said card for providing conduits through which solutions can be transferred between said solution chamber and said assay rod chambr, said flexible structure being deformable to force solution between said assay rod chamber and said solution chamber to provide treatment of said assay rod with said solution. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. An assay system comprising:
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a card having a longitudinal channel therein defining a reaction zone for housing an assay rod, said channel having an inlet and an outlet, said card further having one or more other longitudinal channels for housing reagent and wash solutions, said reagent and wash channels having an outlet and; conduit means for connecting the outlets of the reagent and wash channels to the inlet of the rod housing channel; and means for selectively transferring said reagent and wash solutions from the reagent and wash channels to the rod channel to provide reagents and wash solutions for reaction with and washing of the assay rod in the rod channel.
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20. A card assembly for use in treating an assay rod with a plurality of treatment solutions to detect the presence of substances in a sample solution which engage in binding reactions with said assay rod comprising:
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a card having a top, a bottom and sides wherein said card includes a first channel located therein defining a reaction zone for housing a microassay rod, said first channel having an inlet and an outlet wherein sample solution can be selectively introduced into and removed from said reaction zone through said outlet; one or more second channels located in said card defining treatment solution reservoirs for containing treatment solutions and wherein each of said second channels has an outlet and wherein each of said channels includes a flexible top which is adapted to be deformed to provide movement of said treatment solutions to said second channel outlet by peristaltic action; conduit means for connecting the outlets of said second channels to the inlet of said first channel to provide liquid communication therebetween to allow selective transfer of said treatment solutions from said treatment solution reservoirs to said reaction zone by peristaltic action. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for treating an assay rod with a plurality of treatment solutions to detect the presence of substances in a sample solution which engage in binding reactions with said assay rod, said method comprising the steps of:
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placing a assay rod in a reaction zone defined by a first channel located within a card, said first channel having an inlet and an outlet; introducing sample solution into said reaction zone through said first channel outlet for interaction with said assay rod; and introducing a treatment solution into said reaction zone through said first channel inlet, said treatment solution being transferred to said first channel inlet from a treatment solution reservoir defined by a second channel located within said card. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification