Methods and apparatus for improved luminescence assays

• US 6,325,973 B1
• Filed: 02/19/1999
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BioVeris Corporation (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: IGEN International, Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Goodman, Jack E., Leland, John K., Lowke, George E., Kenten, John H., Shah, Haresh P., Massey, Richard J., Blackburn, Gary F., Namba, Yuzaburo
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Christopher L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Do, Pensee T.
• Application Number:
  US09/253,558
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 422/52, 422/82.05, 422/164, 422/172, 436/526, 436/518, 436/524, 436/536, 436/537, 436/172, 204/400, 204/403, 204/298.16
• US Class Current: 422/52
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502761 specially adapted for handling suspended solids or molecules independently from the bulk fluid flow, e.g. for trapping or sorting beads, for physically stretching molecules investigating characteristics of particles G01N15/00
• CPC Class Codes: C07H 21/00 Compounds containing two or more mononucleotide units having separate phosphate or polyphosphate groups linked by saccharide radicals of nucleoside groups, e.g. nucleic acids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/40 Concentrating samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/66 electrically excited, e.g. electroluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/69 specially adapted for fluids , e.g. molten metal
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/76 Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54313 the carrier being characterised by its particulate form
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54326 Magnetic particles
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54366 Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5438 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/582 with fluorescent label

Abstract

An apparatus for performing a binding assay for an analyte of interest in a sample based upon measurement of clectrochemiluminescence at an electrode surface comprising: (a) a cell defining a sample; (b) an electrode adjacent a portion of the sample containing volume; (c) a voltage control device for impressing electrochemical energy upon the electrode sufficient to generate luminescence; (d) means for magnetically collecting particles along the electrode surface; and (e) a light detection device for measuring the luminescence.

Claims

1. An apparatus for performing a binding assay for an analyte of interest in a sample based upon measurement of electrochemiluminescence at an electrode surface comprising:

(a) a cell defining a sample containing volume intersecting with an inlet and an outlet;

(b) an electrode having said electrode surface exposed to and positioned adjacent a portion of the sample containing volume;

(c) a voltage control device for impressing electrochemical energy upon said electrode sufficient to generate luminescence;

(d) means for magnetically collecting particles along said electrode surface; and

(e) a light detection device for measuring the luminescence generated at said electrode.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said collecting means comprises a magnet that exerts a magnetic field in a zone proximate said electrode surface.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said magnet is located below said electrode.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said magnet is capable of being removed from its location beneath said electrode during the operation of said measuring means.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said magnet comprises at least one magnet in north-south orientation positioned vertically below said electrode.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said magnet comprises at least one pair of magnets consisting of a first magnet and a second magnet that are separated by non-magnetic material.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said magnets are arranged in an antiparallel fashion whereby, for each pair of magnets, the north pole of the first magnet is proximate the south pole of the second magnet and the south pole of the first magnet is proximate the north pole of the second magnet.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said magnet comprises either a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said magnet is a permanent magnet.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said magnet is an electromagnet.

11. An apparatus for performing a binding assay for an analyte of interest in a sample based upon measurement of electrochemiluminescence at an electrode surface comprising:

(a) a cell defining a sample containing volume intersecting with an inlet and an outlet;

(b) an electrode having said electrode surface exposed to and positioned adjacent a portion of the sample containing volume;

(c) a voltage control device for impressing electrochemical energy upon said electrode sufficient to generate luminescence;

(d) a magnetic particle collector along said electrode surface; and

(e) a light detector for measuring the luminescence generated at said electrode.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said collector comprises a magnet that exerts a magnetic field in a zone proximate said electrode surface.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said magnet is located below said electrode.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said magnet is capable of being removed from its location beneath said electrode during the operation of said light detector.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said magnet comprises at least one magnet in north-south orientation positioned vertically below said electrode.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said magnet comprises at least one pair of magnets consisting of a first magnet and a second magnet that are separated by non-magnetic material.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said magnets are arranged in an antiparallel fashion whereby, for each pair of magnets, the north pole of the first magnet is proximate the south pole of the second magnet and the south pole of the first magnet is proximate the north pole of the second magnet.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said magnet comprises either a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

19. The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said magnet is a permanent magnet.

20. The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said magnet is an electromagnet.