Rapid assay processor
First Claim
1. A system for processing a sample, containing an analyte to be determined, in a fluid receptacle, the receptacle containing a capture reagent for the analyte, the system comprising:
- a manifold, defining a closed chamber, having a first port on an upper portion of the manifold and a second port, both ports communicating with the chamber.a fluid receptacle having a solid support for the capture reagent, having a single open end and an enlarged bulbous portion opposite the open end, and being adapted to receive the sample, the capture reagent being disposed on the solid support,means adapted to detachably mount the fluid receptacle above the manifold with the open end below the remainder of the receptacle and in fluid tight communication with the first port, andmeans for selectively introducing to and removing from the chamber and hence the receptacle through the second port vacuum, gas, reagents and wash fluids, thereby to alternatively effect rapid interaction between the capture reagent and analyte, efficient washing of the capture reagent, collection of the analyte, and cleaning of the closed chamber.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method is disclosed for the rapid detection and (or) purification of analytes in a sample. The system makes use of a fluid receptacle containing a capture reagent and a manifold having two ports. A sample containing an analyte disposed within the fluid receptacle is subjected to a capture reagent and processed by inserting the open end of the receptacle in one port. Vacuum, gas, reagents, and wash fluids are then applied to the second port to effect rapid interaction between the capture reagent and analyte, efficient washing of the capture reagent and detection and/or collection of the analyte.
The system and method provide a rapid safe, uncomplicated means of automating processes based on affinity complexation principles. Encompassed within this category of processes are immunoassays, nucleic acid hybridization tests and affinity separations.
138 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A system for processing a sample, containing an analyte to be determined, in a fluid receptacle, the receptacle containing a capture reagent for the analyte, the system comprising:
-
a manifold, defining a closed chamber, having a first port on an upper portion of the manifold and a second port, both ports communicating with the chamber. a fluid receptacle having a solid support for the capture reagent, having a single open end and an enlarged bulbous portion opposite the open end, and being adapted to receive the sample, the capture reagent being disposed on the solid support, means adapted to detachably mount the fluid receptacle above the manifold with the open end below the remainder of the receptacle and in fluid tight communication with the first port, and means for selectively introducing to and removing from the chamber and hence the receptacle through the second port vacuum, gas, reagents and wash fluids, thereby to alternatively effect rapid interaction between the capture reagent and analyte, efficient washing of the capture reagent, collection of the analyte, and cleaning of the closed chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A test apparatus for processing samples, the test apparatus comprising:
-
a fluid receptacle having a single access port and a solid support, a capture reagent disposed on the solid support, an enlarged bulbous portion opposite the access port, and adapted to contain a sample having an analyte to be processed, a closed manifold having a first port on an upper portion of the manifold adapted to detachably receive the access port of the receptacle and place it in fluid tight communication with the manifold and a second port, the receptacle being positioned above the manifold, with the access port being positioned in the first port, the second port being located below the first port, means to selectively subject the manifold through the second port to vacuum, gas, reagents, and wash fluids, the receptable forming with the manifold a closed system, whereby the sample can be selectively subjected to the vacuum, gas, reagents and wash fluids. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification