Device and method for completing a fluidic circuit

• US 5,620,657 A
• Filed: 05/30/1995
• Issued: 04/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Products GmbH (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Behringwerke Aktiengesellschaft (Sanofi )
• Inventors: Patel, Rajesh D., Kurn, Nurith, Ullman, Edwin F., Becker, Martin, Sizto, N. Chung
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ludlow, Jan M.
• Application Number:
  US08/453,859
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 422/56-61, 435/7.1, 435/970, 435/975, 436/514, 436/808, 436/180
• US Class Current: 422/412
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0633 with moving parts
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54366 Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/97 Test strip or test slide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/975 Kit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/808 Automated or kit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Disclosed are assay apparatus, devices and methods that permit longitudinal capillary flow of liquid between two pieces of bibulous material which, prior to actuation, are in a non-capillary flow relationship to each other. In particular, the devices utilize a distortable member which when distorted, actuates the device by creating a capillary flow relationship between the two pieces of bibulous material. In an alternative embodiment the apparatus, devices, and methods include at least one additional piece of bibulous material.

Claims

1. A kit for conducting an assay comprising in packaged combination:

(a) a support having two pieces of bibulous material fixedly attached thereto in a non-capillary flow relationship to each other,

(b) a housing having a flexible member fixedly attached thereto,

wherein said support is adapted for insertion into said housing and said flexible member is adapted to force one of said two pieces of bibulous material into contact with the other of said two pieces of bibulous material upon insertion of said support into said housing thereby forming a device which permits longitudinal capillary flow of a liquid through said two pieces of bibulous material and

(c) separately packaged reagents for conducting an assay said reagents comprising at least one member of a signal producing signal.

2. The kit according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said two pieces of bibulous material has a member of a specific binding pair bound thereto.

3. The kit according to claim 1 comprising a container adapted to attach to said housing.

4. An apparatus which provides for longitudinal capillary flow of a liquid through two pieces of bibulous material which prior to actuation are in a non-capillary flow relationship to each other, which apparatus comprises:

(a) a support having two pieces of bibulous material fixedly attached thereto in a non-capillary flow relationship to each other and

(b) a housing having a flexible member fixedly attached thereto, said support being adapted for insertion into said housing and said flexible member being adapted to force one of said two pieces of bibulous material into contact with the other of said two pieces of bibulous material upon insertion of said support into said housing thereby forming a device which permits longitudinal capillary flow of a liquid through said two pieces of bibulous material.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 comprising a container wherein said housing and said container are adapted to be attached together.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said support is contained in an enclosure.

7. An apparatus according to claim 4 comprising a second flexible member fixedly attached to said housing opposite said flexible member.

8. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said pieces of bibulous material are paper strips.

9. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein one of said pieces of bibulous material has a member of a specific binding pair bound thereto.