Apparatus and methods for analyte measurement and immunoassay
First Claim
1. A cartridge for sensing at least one analyte in a sample, said cartridge comprising:
- a sample holding chamber for receiving said sample and retaining said sample;
a first conduit connected to said sample holding chamber;
at least one analyte sensor,wherein said sensor comprises an analyte-responsive surface and said surface is within said first conduit;
a second conduit for retaining a fluid,said second conduit connected to said first conduit;
a valve connected to an opening in said first conduit,wherein said valve is closed by contact with said sample; and
pump capable of displacing said sample from said holding chamber into said first conduit,wherein said pump, said valve, and said first and second conduits are configured such that said fluid from said second conduit can be displaced into said first conduit upon closure of the valve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus for conducting a variety of assays for the determination of analytes in liquid samples, and relates to the methods for such assays. In particular, the invention relates to a single-use cartridge designed to be adaptable to a variety of real-time assay protocols, preferably assays for the determination of analytes in biological samples using immunosensors or other ligand/ligand receptor-based biosensor embodiments. The cartridge provides novel features for processing a metered portion of a sample, for precise and flexible control of the movement of a sample or second fluid within the cartridge, for the amending of solutions with additional compounds during an assay, and for the construction of immunosensors capable of adaptation to diverse analyte measurements. The disclosed device and methods of use enjoy substantial benefits over the prior art, including simplicity of use by an operator, rapid in situ determinations of one or more analytes, and single-use methodology that minimizes the risk of contamination of both operator and patient. The disclosed invention is adaptable to the point-of-care clinical diagnostic field, including use in accident sites, emergency rooms, surgery, nursing homes, intensive care units, and non-medical environments.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A cartridge for sensing at least one analyte in a sample, said cartridge comprising:
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a sample holding chamber for receiving said sample and retaining said sample; a first conduit connected to said sample holding chamber; at least one analyte sensor, wherein said sensor comprises an analyte-responsive surface and said surface is within said first conduit; a second conduit for retaining a fluid, said second conduit connected to said first conduit; a valve connected to an opening in said first conduit, wherein said valve is closed by contact with said sample; and pump capable of displacing said sample from said holding chamber into said first conduit, wherein said pump, said valve, and said first and second conduits are configured such that said fluid from said second conduit can be displaced into said first conduit upon closure of the valve. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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2. A cartridge for sensing at least one analyte in a sample, said cartridge comprising:
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a sample holding chamber for receiving said sample and retaining said sample; a first conduit connected to said sample holding chamber; at least one analyte sensor, wherein said sensor comprises an analyte-responsive surface and said surface is within said first conduit; a second conduit for retaining a fluid, said second conduit connected to said first conduit; a valve connected to an opening in said first conduit, wherein said valve is closed by contact with said sample; means for inserting at least one air segment into said first or second conduit; and pump capable of displacing said sample from said holding chamber into said first conduit, wherein said pump, said valve, and said first and second conduits are configured such that said fluid from said second conduit can be displaced into said first conduit upon closure of the valve. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 12)
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3. A cartridge for sensing at least one analyte in a sample, said cartridge comprising:
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a sample holding chamber for receiving said sample and retaining said sample; a first conduit connected to said sample holding chamber; at least one analyte sensor, wherein said sensor comprises an analyte-responsive surface and said surface is within said first conduit; a second conduit for retaining a fluid, said second conduit connected to said first conduit; a valve connected to an opening in said first conduit, wherein said valve is permanently closed by contact with said sample; and pump capable of displacing said sample from said holding chamber into said first conduit, said pump further capable of displacing said fluid from said second conduit into said first conduit. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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Specification