Agglutination based sample testing device
First Claim
1. A method for testing a liquid sample for the presence or absence of a component of interest in the liquid sample, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a sample testing device, wherein the device comprises;
(i) at least one test capillary which has an upstream end and a downstream end and which incorporates an agglutination reagent system capable of causing agglutination with the component of interest;
(ii) a sampling region for receiving the liquid sample and from which the liquid sample enters the upstream end of the at least one test capillary;
(iii) a power source;
(iv) a detector electrically associated with the at least one test capillary, for detecting presence or absence of the liquid sample in the at least one test capillary;
(v) a display device operated by the power source for indicating a result of a test; and
(vi) a signal processor associated with the power source, the detector and the display device for evaluating the result of the test and providing the result on the display device;
(b) applying the liquid sample to the sampling region, whereby the liquid sample flows from the upstream end of the at least one test capillary toward the downstream end and contacts the agglutination reagent system and wherein the presence of the component of interest in the liquid sample causes agglutination that slows or stops flow of the liquid sample; and
(c) at a pre-determined time interval, detecting the presence or absence of the liquid sample at the detector;
wherein absence of the liquid sample at the detector at the pre-determined time interval is indicative of the presence of the component.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sample testing device for testing for the presence of a component of interest in a liquid sample includes: (a) a capillary pathway having an upstream end and a downstream end and incorporating a reagent system capable of causing agglutination with the component; (b) optionally, a control capillary pathway; (c) a sampling region to which the liquid sample is applied and from which the sample is able to enter the upstream ends of the test and control capillaries; (d) a power source; (e) detection arrangements electrically associated with the power source for detecting the presence of liquid at a downstream region of the capillaries; (f) a display operated by the power source for indicating the result of the test; and (g) a signal processor associated with the power source, detection arrangement and display for evaluating the result of the test and providing the result on the display.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for testing a liquid sample for the presence or absence of a component of interest in the liquid sample, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a sample testing device, wherein the device comprises; (i) at least one test capillary which has an upstream end and a downstream end and which incorporates an agglutination reagent system capable of causing agglutination with the component of interest; (ii) a sampling region for receiving the liquid sample and from which the liquid sample enters the upstream end of the at least one test capillary; (iii) a power source; (iv) a detector electrically associated with the at least one test capillary, for detecting presence or absence of the liquid sample in the at least one test capillary; (v) a display device operated by the power source for indicating a result of a test; and (vi) a signal processor associated with the power source, the detector and the display device for evaluating the result of the test and providing the result on the display device; (b) applying the liquid sample to the sampling region, whereby the liquid sample flows from the upstream end of the at least one test capillary toward the downstream end and contacts the agglutination reagent system and wherein the presence of the component of interest in the liquid sample causes agglutination that slows or stops flow of the liquid sample; and (c) at a pre-determined time interval, detecting the presence or absence of the liquid sample at the detector; wherein absence of the liquid sample at the detector at the pre-determined time interval is indicative of the presence of the component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification