Diagnostic assay module
First Claim
1. A diagnostic assay module for analytical diagnostic procedures in which an optical signal developed by interaction between a component in a sample fluid and one or more reagents in a resilient assay element is read by optical means, said assay module comprising:
- a first member including wall means to define side walls, end walls and a top wall wherein the bottom of the first member is open, said first member further including inner and outer surface formations, said wall means including an opening to permit sample fluid to be introduced therethrough so as to be delivered to said assay element;
a second member for closing said open bottom of said first member, said second member having an open optical read aperture positioned to be in registration with at least a substantial portion of said assay element when said assay element and said first and second members are assembled; and
means for inclining opposite edges of said assay element at a downward angle to maintain the area of said assay element overlying said optical read aperture in a substantially planar configuration the assay element to maintain it in a controlled orientation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A diagnostic assay module for analytical procedures in which an optical signal developed by interaction between a component in a sample fluid, such as an analyte in a biological fluid, and one or more reagents in a resilient assay element is read by optical means. The module includes a first member having one open side and a second member adapted to close the open side of the first member against a resilient assay element. The area of the assay element to which the sample fluid is applied and wherein the optical signal developed by the interaction of the sample component and the reagent(s) in the assay element is read is maintained in a substantially horizontal orientation by flexure developed between complementing ramp surfaces on the respective first and second members. In a preferred embodiment the first member defines a liquid transport surface which, together with the assay element forms a fluid flow zone to provide for the uniform spreading of a sample fluid, introduced through an aperture in the member, across the surface of the assay element. The volume of fluid in the fluid flow zone is controlled by the precise positioning of the assay element according to the invention.
67 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A diagnostic assay module for analytical diagnostic procedures in which an optical signal developed by interaction between a component in a sample fluid and one or more reagents in a resilient assay element is read by optical means, said assay module comprising:
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a first member including wall means to define side walls, end walls and a top wall wherein the bottom of the first member is open, said first member further including inner and outer surface formations, said wall means including an opening to permit sample fluid to be introduced therethrough so as to be delivered to said assay element; a second member for closing said open bottom of said first member, said second member having an open optical read aperture positioned to be in registration with at least a substantial portion of said assay element when said assay element and said first and second members are assembled; and means for inclining opposite edges of said assay element at a downward angle to maintain the area of said assay element overlying said optical read aperture in a substantially planar configuration the assay element to maintain it in a controlled orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A diagnostic assay module for analytical procedures in which an optical signal developed by interaction between an analyte in a sample and one or more reagents in a resilient assay element is read by optical means, said assay module comprising:
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an assay element; a first member including mutually opposed side and end walls closed on one side by a covering wall and open at the side opposite from said covering wall, said first member having inner surface formations including a planar fluid transport surface carrying a plurality of discrete noncontinuous projections spaced apart from each other in a predetermined pattern, said projections extending a capillary distance from said transport surface and presented to face said open side of said first member; a second member for closing said open side of said first member and having an unobstructed optical read aperture positioned to register with at least a substantial portion of said fluid transport surface when said first and second members are assembled; and cooperating ramp means on said first and second members for flexing the assay element into contact or virtual contact with said projections to retain said assay element in a planar configuration for optical reading by light passing through said read aperture. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification