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Device for performing timed assay by electrical resistance change

  • US 5,554,531 A
  • Filed: 08/07/1995
  • Issued: 09/10/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A detection unit comprising:

  • a support stage for receiving a test article, the test article having spaced-apart electrodes in electrical contact with a reaction zone, wherein the reaction zone on the test article is disposed at a viewing location;

    a heater attached to the support stage for heating the test article in the region of the reaction zone;

    means attached to the support stage for detecting electrical resistance across the test article;

    means attached to the support stage for optically viewing the reaction zone when disposed at the viewing location;

    means in communication with the electrical resistance detecting means for initiating a timing cycle when the electrical resistance detecting means detects a lowering of electrical resistance across the test article upon application of a fluid sample having an amount of analyte therein to the test article;

    means for actuating the optical viewing means and the electrical resistance detecting means at one or more times during the timing cycle to measure one or more optically detectable signals and electrical resistance values at known times during the timing cycle; and

    means for correlating the measured signals and values from the optical viewing means and the electrical resistance detecting means with the known times at which the signals and values are measured so that the amount of analyte initially present in the sample may be determined.

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