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Method and apparatus for single step assays of ligand-containing fluids

  • US 5,384,264 A
  • Filed: 11/05/1992
  • Issued: 01/24/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for use in assays of fluid samples to detect the presence of one or more ligands of interest therein, comprising:

  • (a) a substantially fluid-tight housing having an entry and first and second display ports therein, said entry port for addition of fluid sample to the housing and, said entry and display ports being in fluid communication with one another by means of capillary action through at least one porous membrane, said housing further having a floor divided into two planes, wherein one end of said floor is in a substantially lower but parallel plane to the other end of said floor;

    (b) a slope separating the two planes of the housing floor, wherein the slope is at an angle which is sufficient to slow the passage of fluid sample through the porous membrane;

    (c) a first porous membrane disposed along the lower end of the housing floor in fluid communication with said entry port to which is movably bound a first antiligand complementary to the ligands of interest suspected of existing in the fluid sample, said first antiligand is bound to a label capable of producing a detectable signal indicative of the presence of ligand(s) of interest in the fluid sample;

    (d) a second, porous membrane disposed along the higher end of the housing floor in fluid communication with the first, porous membrane, to which the second, porous membrane is immovably bound;

    (i) one or more second antiligands complementary to the ligands of interest in the fluid sample, said second antiligands being bound beneath said first display port; and

    (ii) first ligands complementary to said first antiligands, said first ligands being bound immovably beneath said second display port;

    (e) one or more fluid gulleys in the higher end of the housing floor to capture excess sample fluid from the second, porous membrane; and

    (f) an absorbent means in fluid communication with said second porous membrane for capturing excess fluid sample from said second porous membrane.

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