Method and apparatus of quantitative assays

• US 7,056,473 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2004
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Response Biomedical Corp.
• Original Assignee: Response Biomedical Corp.
• Inventors: Harris, Paul C., Richards, Brian G., Tippett, Jonathan G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Long V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yu, Melanie J.
• Application Number:
  US10/834,447
• Publication Number:
  US 20050244950A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 422/63, 422/58, 422/56, 422100-104, 422/50, 422/61, 422/68.1, 422/215, 422/224, 436/43, 436/46, 436/49, 436/174, 436/180, 366/130, 206/222, 435/283.1, 435/289.1, 435/290.2, 435/291.7
• US Class Current: 422/63
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/441 performing a rectilinear reciprocating movement
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/452 using independent floating stirring elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/81 Combinations of similar mixers, e.g. with rotary stirring devices in two or more receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/813 mixing simultaneously in two or more mixing receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/713 comprising breaking packages or parts thereof, e.g. piercing or opening sealing elements between compartments or cartridges containers or packages per se B65D
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7134 Dissolving the seal when in contact with one of the products to be mixed, thereby bringing the compartments in communication
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7139 Removing separation walls, plugs which close off the different compartments, e.g. by rotation or axially sliding
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0672 Integrated piercing tool
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0475 specific mechanical means and fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0677 phase change valves; Meltable, freezing, dissolvable plugs; Destructible barriers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0683 mechanically breaking a wall or membrane within a channel or chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/38 Diluting, dispersing or mixing samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/40 Concentrating samples

Abstract

A sample testing apparatus (100) for use in measuring an analyte in a sample (105) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sample well (104) for receiving the sample. A solid analyte binding agent (160) is disposed in the sample well. The apparatus further includes a mixing device (156) for mixing the sample with the solid analyte binding agent and a valve (129). The valve is configurable between a closed position for impeding flow of the sample from the sample well and an open position for releasing the sample from the sample well. The apparatus additionally includes a membrane (118) for receiving the sample once released from the sample well, the membrane having a capture reagent (164) adapted to interact with at least one of the analyte, the analyte binding agent, or a complex thereof, to aid in determining the amount of the analyte in the sample.

Claims

1. A sample testing apparatus for use in quantitatively measuring an amount of an analyte in a fluid sample, comprising:

(1) a plurality of separate sample wells arranged in a row, each for receiving a sample containing an analyte;

(2) a quantity of solid analyte binding agent disposed in each of the sample wells;

(3) a mixing assembly having;

(a) a plurality of mixing elements, including at least one paddle in each sample well for aiding in mixing of the sample with the solid analyte binding agent;

(b) a rotary shaft extending lengthwise of the row of sample wells, said shaft having a plurality of peripheral lobes including a plurality of circumferentially spaced first and second peripheral cam lobes of different heights aligned with and engageable against each of the mixing elements;

(4) a barrier within each sample well normally impeding flow of the sample from the sample well, the mixing elements including puncture members aligned with the bafflers and moveable to puncture positions for penetrating the bafflers to provide apertures permitting discharge of samples from the sample wells;

(5) a biasing device for biasing the mixing elements from a second position to a first position within the sample wells; and

(6) an actuator assembly for rotating the rotary shaft such that at least the first cam lobes engage and move the mixing elements in the sample cells such that the paddles are selectively reciprocated back and forth between the first position and the second position for mixing the sample with the solid analyte binding agent, at least one of the second cam lobes for each of the sample wells and said puncture elements being constructed and arranged relatively such that selective rotary movement of the rotary shaft moves the puncture elements of the respective mixing elements to the puncture positions for penetration of the barriers by the puncture members.