Flow control technique for assay devices
First Claim
1. A method for forming a lateral flow assay device, the method comprising:
- applying a solvent treatment to a membrane that contains pores through which a test sample can flow, the solvent treatment having a sufficient dissolving capacity for the membrane, wherein the solvent treatment forms at least one recessed region in the membrane; and
immobilizing an immunoreactive receptive material on the membrane to form a detection zone located laterally downstream from the recessed region, wherein the receptive material is capable of binding to detection probes or conjugates thereof to facilitate detection of an analyte that is suspected to be present within a test sample.
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Abstract
A method for controlling fluid flow in an assay device that employs a membrane is provided. Specifically, one or more recessed regions are formed in the membrane by applying a solvent treatment thereto. The solvent treatment is selected based on its particular dissolving capacity for the material used to form the membrane. For example, an alcohol-based solvent, such as methanol, may be used as a solvent for nitrocellulose membranes. Upon contact with the solvent treatment, a recessed region is formed that may serve a variety of different functions relating to flow control. In one particular embodiment, the recessed region may function as a metering channel that is capable of delivering a controlled volume of the test sample to a detection zone upon initiation of the assay.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for forming a lateral flow assay device, the method comprising:
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applying a solvent treatment to a membrane that contains pores through which a test sample can flow, the solvent treatment having a sufficient dissolving capacity for the membrane, wherein the solvent treatment forms at least one recessed region in the membrane; and immobilizing an immunoreactive receptive material on the membrane to form a detection zone located laterally downstream from the recessed region, wherein the receptive material is capable of binding to detection probes or conjugates thereof to facilitate detection of an analyte that is suspected to be present within a test sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 30, 31, 32)
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16. A method for determining the presence of an analyte within a test sample, the method comprising:
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applying a solvent treatment to a membrane that contains pores through which a test sample can flow, the solvent treatment having a sufficient dissolving capacity for the membrane, wherein the solvent treatment forms at least one metering channel in the membrane; immobilizing an immunoreactive receptive material on the membrane to form a detection zone located laterally downstream from the metering channel, wherein the receptive material is capable of binding to detection probes or conjugates thereof; and thereafter, contacting the metering channel with the test sample, wherein the test sample flows laterally through the pores of the membrane from the metering channel to the detection zone. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33)
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Specification