System and method for plasma separation and measurement
First Claim
1. A system for transferring measured amounts of plasma from unmeasured blood samples to a test substrate, said system comprising:
- an applicator having a blood-receiving reservoir with a predetermined plasma capacity and a single plasma transfer port having a cross-sectional area and shape in fluid communication with the reservoir and including a filter member extending across the plasma transfer port, wherein the filter member permits the passage of plasma and plasma macromolecules but inhibits the passage of blood cells;
a plasma-receiving test substrate having a surface; and
at least one reaction zone on the substrate surface; and
a single absorptive element on the substrate surface having a contact surface with a shape and area substantially identical to those of the port so that the contact surface is configured to engage the plasma transfer port and a plasma capacity which is less than the plasma capacity of the reservoir, wherein plasma transferred from the reservoir will saturate the absorptive element to provide a measured amount of plasma on the substrate; and
wherein the at least one reaction zone is spaced from said single absorptive element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The system for transferring plasma to a test substrate comprises an applicator and the test substrate. The applicator includes a blood reservoir and a filter element which separates cellular components from the blood as plasma is passed to the test substrate. The test substrate includes an absorptive element which receives the plasma from the applicator. In one embodiment, measured amounts of plasma are transferred when the absorptive element becomes saturated, thus stopping the flow of plasma. In another embodiment, excess blood and cellular components are removed from the measured plasma by disengaging the applicator from the test substrate. In another embodiment, plasma transferred to the absorptive element is eluted from the absorptive element by subsequent application of an elution medium.
65 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for transferring measured amounts of plasma from unmeasured blood samples to a test substrate, said system comprising:
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an applicator having a blood-receiving reservoir with a predetermined plasma capacity and a single plasma transfer port having a cross-sectional area and shape in fluid communication with the reservoir and including a filter member extending across the plasma transfer port, wherein the filter member permits the passage of plasma and plasma macromolecules but inhibits the passage of blood cells; a plasma-receiving test substrate having a surface; and at least one reaction zone on the substrate surface; and a single absorptive element on the substrate surface having a contact surface with a shape and area substantially identical to those of the port so that the contact surface is configured to engage the plasma transfer port and a plasma capacity which is less than the plasma capacity of the reservoir, wherein plasma transferred from the reservoir will saturate the absorptive element to provide a measured amount of plasma on the substrate; and
wherein the at least one reaction zone is spaced from said single absorptive element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16)
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14. A system for transferring measured amounts of plasma from unmeasured blood samples to a test substrate, said system comprising:
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an applicator having a blood-receiving reservoir and a plasma transfer port in fluid communication with the reservoir and including a filter member extending across the plasma transfer port, wherein the filter member permits the passage of plasma and plasma macromolecules but inhibits the passage of blood cells, and wherein the plasma transfer port has a plasma port cross-sectional geometry; and a plasma-receiving test substrate having a surface, said surface having thereon at least one reaction zone, and an absorptive element having a contact surface configured to engage the plasma transfer port and a plasma capacity which is less than a plasma capacity of the reservoir, and at least one reaction zone separated from the absorptive element by a fluid-receiving surface, wherein plasma transferred from the reservoir will saturate the absorptive element to provide a measured amount of plasma on the substrate and wherein the at least one reaction zone is spaced from said single absorptive element. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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17. A system for transferring measured amounts of plasma from unmeasured blood samples to a test substrate, said system comprising:
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an applicator having a blood-receiving reservoir and a plasma transfer port in fluid communication with the reservoir and including a filter member extending across the plasma transfer port, wherein the filter member permits the passage of plasma and plasma macromolecules but inhibits the passage of blood cells, and wherein the plasma transfer port has a plasma port cross-sectional geometry; and a plasma-receiving test substrate having a surface, said surface having thereon; an absorptive element having a contact surface configured to engage the plasma transfer port and a plasma capacity which is less than a plasma capacity of the reservoir, and at least one reaction zone disposed adjacent to the absorptive element, wherein plasma transferred from the reservoir will saturate the absorptive element to provide a measured amount of plasma which can be subsequently transferred to the reaction zone on the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A system for transferring measured amounts of plasma from unmeasured blood samples to a test substrate, said system comprising:
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an applicator having a blood-receiving reservoir with a predetermined plasma capacity and a single plasma transfer port having a cross-sectional area and shape in fluid communication with the reservoir and including a filter member extending across the plasma transfer port, wherein the filter member permits the passage of plasma and plasma macromolecules but inhibits the passage of blood cells; and a plasma-receiving test substrate having a surface, said surface having thereon; a single absorptive element having a contact surface with a shape and area substantially identical to those of the port so that the contact surface is configured to engage the plasma transfer port and a plasma capacity which is less than the plasma capacity of the reservoir, wherein plasma transferred from the reservoir will saturate the absorptive element to provide a measured amount of plasma on the substrate; a fluid-receiving surface disposed adjacent to the absorptive element, wherein fluid eluted from the absorptive element will flow onto the fluid-receiving surface; and at least one reaction zone separated from the absorptive element by the fluid-receiving surface, wherein fluid eluted from the absorptive element will be available to react with the reaction zone.
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Specification