Enhanced agglutination method and kit
First Claim
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1. An enhanced agglutination assay method for determination of a multivalent analyte in a weakly positive analyte-containing sample, said method comprising:
- providing an unagglutinated suspension of (a) agglutinatinable particles between about 1 and 20 microns in diameter and having surface-bound anti-analyte molecules effective to produce particle agglutination in the presence of such analyte, and (b) liposomes having surface-bound analyte-binding protein molecules, at an average surface concentration of at least about 15 analyte-binding molecules per liposome, these molecules being effective to bind the analyte concurrently with analyte binding to a particle-bound anti-analyte molecule.adding such analyte-containing sample to the suspension, andby said adding, producing a degree of particle agglutination which is at least 1-2 grades greater, on a 1-4 grade scale, than that which would be produced by adding the anaylte sample to a suspension of the particles in the absence of the liposomes.
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Abstract
An enhanced agglutination assay method for determination of a multivalent analyte is disclosed. Analyte is added to agglutinatable particles coated with anti-analyte molecules to produce particle agglutination. The extent of agglutination is enhanced by mixing the particles and analyte with an analyte-binding reagent composed of lipid bodies. The reagent bodies act by promoting multiple analyte bridge connections between individual bridged particles and a reagent body. Also disclosed is a kit containing such particles and reagent.
31 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An enhanced agglutination assay method for determination of a multivalent analyte in a weakly positive analyte-containing sample, said method comprising:
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providing an unagglutinated suspension of (a) agglutinatinable particles between about 1 and 20 microns in diameter and having surface-bound anti-analyte molecules effective to produce particle agglutination in the presence of such analyte, and (b) liposomes having surface-bound analyte-binding protein molecules, at an average surface concentration of at least about 15 analyte-binding molecules per liposome, these molecules being effective to bind the analyte concurrently with analyte binding to a particle-bound anti-analyte molecule. adding such analyte-containing sample to the suspension, and by said adding, producing a degree of particle agglutination which is at least 1-2 grades greater, on a 1-4 grade scale, than that which would be produced by adding the anaylte sample to a suspension of the particles in the absence of the liposomes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22)
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12. An enhanced agglutination assay kit for determination of a multivalent analyte in a weakly positive analyte-containing sample, comprising:
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an unagglutinated suspension of (a) agglutinatinable particles between about 1 to 20 microns in size, and having surface-bound anti-analyte molecules adapted to promote particle agglutination in the presence of the analyte, and (b) liposomes having surface-bound analyte-binding molecules, at an average concentration of at least about 15 analyte-binding molecules per liposome, these molecules being effective to bind the analyte concurrently with analyte binding to a particle-bound anti-analyte molecule. said liposomes being present in an amount effective to produce a degree of particle agglutination, when such analyte sample is added to the suspension, which is at least 1-2 grades greater, on a 1-4 grade scale, than that which would be produced by adding the analyte to a suspension of the particles in the absence of the liposomes. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24)
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Specification