PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED SAMPLE ANALYSIS

• US 20150072403A1
• Filed: 11/25/2014
• Published: 03/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Montecito Bio Sciences, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Montecito Bio Sciences, Ltd.
• Inventors: Withrow, Edward W. III, Gorlach, Jorn
• Granted Patent: US 9,170,258 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/287.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/416 the spleen
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/028 Modular arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/023 Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/024 Storing results with means integrated into the container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0663 Whole sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54366 Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00871 Communications between instruments or with remote terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/809 : Incubators or racks or holders for culture plates or containers

Abstract

The present invention is an improved apparatus for sample analysis. The apparatus employs an assay component containing a membrane having one or a plurality of analyte-specific binding agents attached thereto, a means for absorbing liquid, and a piston means for drawing analytes through said membrane into said means for absorbing liquid. The apparatus is configured to be portable and provide a detector for detecting binding of an analyte to an analyte-specific binding agent, a plurality of data acquisition components, and a computer for integrating, analyzing and storing the detected analyte specific binding and acquired data.

Claims

1. An improved sample analysis apparatus of the type having a removable component with (a) a membrane, said membrane having an upper and lower surface, (b) an analyte-specific binding agent attached to said membrane, (c) a means for absorbing liquid located adjacent to the lower surface of said membrane, and (d) a piston means located adjacent to said means for absorbing liquid, wherein said piston means draws analytes in a sample through the membrane into the means for absorbing liquid, the improvement comprising

a chamber for housing at least two removable components in their entirety,

a detector adjacent to said chamber and arranged to detect analyte-specific binding to the analyte-specific binding agent on the upper surface of membranes of the at least two removable components housed in their entirety in the chamber,

a plurality of data acquisition components for acquiring data,

an interface for wired or wireless data transfer, and

a computer, wherein the computer integrates, analyzes and stores the detected analyte-specific binding and acquired data thereby providing improved sample analysis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data acquisition components comprises a keypad, touch-pad, microphone, speaker or combination thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data acquisition components comprises a barcode wand, a fingerprint reader, or a combination thereof.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data acquisition components comprises a remote server, a local server, an electrocardiograph, a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, an electronic blood glucose meter, a fetal monitor, a balance, a pH meter, a conductometer, an osmometer, a thermometer, a barometer, a photometer, a luminometer, a radioactivity meter, a carbon dioxide meter, a carbon monoxide meter, a voltmeter, a device for measuring toxic compounds, a device for measuring volatile organic compounds, or a combination thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a timer, an annunciator, one-point assay calibration, a barcode activation system, encryption and decryption modules, or a combination thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a light sources selected from the group of a light emitting diode, laser, laser diode and filament lamp.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a photodiode or photomultiplier tube.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer further computer generates charts, plots or graphs of compiled data.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer stores data via static memory, dynamic memory, or a combination thereof.