Diagnostic element for electrical detection of a binding reaction
First Claim
1. A diagnostic element for use in detecting a reaction between first and second members of a specific binding pair, wherein the second member of the specific binding pair is conductively labeled, said diagnostic element comprising:
- an electrically resistive support;
an electrically resistive layer superposed on said support, the electrically resistive layer being made of a substance other than a member of the specific binding pair and which is capable of binding with one of the members of the specific binding pair;
a pair of electrical conductors superposed side-by-side on the support and spaced apart to define a channel therebetween, said resistive layer defining a path which spans the conductors;
wherein the path has a length effective for permitting resistive shunting of current between the conductors along the path, such that current can pass alternatively through the resistive layer and the conductively labeled member of the specific binding pair when the first and second members of the specific binding pair are disposed on the resistive layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is disclosed for detecting the occurrence of a binding or complex-forming reaction between specific substances by utilizing the binding reaction to modify an electrical circuit, and then measuring a change in the electrical state of the circuit. A diagnostic element useful in such a method includes a layer of a biogenic substance, such as an antigen, coated onto a non-conductive base between a pair of electrical conductors superposed on the base. Antibodies which react with the antigen are treated so that they become bound to fine electrically conductive, metallic particles. The electrically conductive particles having antibody bound thereto are then added to the antigen layer deposited on the base and allowed to react therewith. Electrically conductive particles are thereby bound to the base due to the binding reaction between the antigen and antibody to thereby form aggregates of electrically conductive particles which modify the circuit. The method of the invention is highly useful for the detection of antigens and antibodies in the blood serum of a human patient.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A diagnostic element for use in detecting a reaction between first and second members of a specific binding pair, wherein the second member of the specific binding pair is conductively labeled, said diagnostic element comprising:
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an electrically resistive support; an electrically resistive layer superposed on said support, the electrically resistive layer being made of a substance other than a member of the specific binding pair and which is capable of binding with one of the members of the specific binding pair; a pair of electrical conductors superposed side-by-side on the support and spaced apart to define a channel therebetween, said resistive layer defining a path which spans the conductors; wherein the path has a length effective for permitting resistive shunting of current between the conductors along the path, such that current can pass alternatively through the resistive layer and the conductively labeled member of the specific binding pair when the first and second members of the specific binding pair are disposed on the resistive layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification