Process for carrying out analytical determinations and means for carrying out this process

• US 4,916,078 A
• Filed: 09/03/1987
• Issued: 04/10/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim GmbH (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim GmbH (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Stahler, Fritz, Klose, Sigmar
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcus, Michael S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Griffith, Jr., D. John
• Application Number:
  US07/093,136
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 422/72, 422/61, 422/102, 436/45, 436/165
• US Class Current: 436/165
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0809 rectangular shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0409 centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0655 pinch valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 5/0407 for liquids contained in receptacles B04B5/0442 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/00 Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms measuring or testing apparatus with condition measuring or sensing means, e.g. colony counters, C12M1/34; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5302 Apparatus specially adapted for immunological test procedures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/111666 Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor

Abstract

The present invention provides a process for carrying out an analytical determination by mixing and incubating a sample solution with at least one reagent and measuring a parameter in the reaction mixture, the sample solution being transported from an application point to a measurement point, wherein a sample solution is first transported to a soluble dry reagent, with at least partial dissolving of the latter, and then further transported to a measurement point, the transport taking place by two different forces, whereby, at least on a part of the transport path, it is brought about by a surface force acting on the solution as a first force, which, for the regulation of the transport velocity or transport direction, is superimposed by a centrifugal force and/or pressure force as a second force which, depending upon which transport state of the fluid is to be adjusted, is made greater or smaller than the first force.

Claims

1. Process for analyzing a fluid sample, comprising:

(a) applying a fluid sample to an application point on a transport path,

(b) transporting said fluid sample on said path to a reagent containing zone which contains at least one dry reagent which is dissolvable in said fluid sample,

(c) mixing and incubating said fluid sample and said dry reagent to form a reaction mixture, and

(d) transporting said reaction mixture to a sample measurement point on said transport path to measure a parameter of said reaction mixture, wherein transport of said fluid sample and said reaction mixture on said transport path is accomplished by two transport forces, the first of said forces being a surface force characteristic of said transport path, said first force being a driving force for said fluid sample and said reaction mixture, and the second of said forces being exerted in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction and a controllably variable pressure force which, when superimposed homogeneously on said first force modifies it throughout and, accelerates, impedes, or stops transport flow of said fluid sample or said reaction mixture on said transport path.

2. Process of claim 1, wherein said forces act in different directions.

3. Process of claim 1, wherein said controllably variable pressure force accelerates said transport flow.

4. Process of claim 1, wherein said controllably variable pressure force impedes said transport flow.

5. Process of claim 1, wherein said controllably variable pressure force stops said transport flow.