Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
An assay involving the following components; a sample solution containing a first and a second antigenic solute; a first antibody capable of reversibly binding to a determinant of the first antigenic solute, the first antibody being in solution; a second antibody capable of reversibly binding to a determinant of the second antigenic solute, the second antibody being irreversibly bound to a solid phase support; a ligand molecule comprising a first antigen to which the first antibody is capable of reversibly binding and a second antigen to which the second antibody is capable of reversibly binding, the first and second antigens being irreversibly bound together through a bridging support molecule, the ligand molecule being in solution; and a labelled antibody capable of reversibly binding to the antigen, the assay comprising the steps of; forming a mixture of the sample solution, the first antibody, the second antibody and the ligand molecule, provided that the first antibody, the second antibody and the ligand molecule are not all mixed with each other prior to admixture of the sample solution; incubating the said mixture, thereby allowing competition between the ligand molecule and the first antigenic solute for association with the first antibody and allowing competition between the ligand molecule and the second antigenic solute for association with the second antibody; placing the solid phase support in contact with the labelled antibody, thereby allowing association between the labelled antibody and any unbound first antigen; and determining the amount of labelled antibody bound to the solid phase support through the ligand molecule and the second antibody.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
An assay involving the following components; a sample solution containing a first and a second antigenic solute; a first antibody capable of reversibly binding to a determinant of the first antigenic solute, the first antibody being in solution; a second antibody capable of reversibly binding to a determinant of the second antigenic solute, the second antibody being irreversibly bound to a solid phase support; a ligand molecule comprising a first antigen to which the first antibody is capable of reversibly binding and a second antigen to which the second antibody is capable of reversibly binding, the first and second antigens being irreversibly bound together through a bridging support molecule, the ligand molecule being in solution; and a labelled antibody capable of reversibly binding to the antigen, the assay comprising the steps of; forming a mixture of the sample solution, the first antibody, the second antibody and the ligand molecule, provided that the first antibody, the second antibody and the ligand molecule are not all mixed with each other prior to admixture of the sample solution; incubating the said mixture, thereby allowing competition between the ligand molecule and the first antigenic solute for association with the first antibody and allowing competition between the ligand molecule and the second antigenic solute for association with the second antibody; placing the solid phase support in contact with the labelled antibody, thereby allowing association between the labelled antibody and any unbound first antigen; and determining the amount of labelled antibody bound to the solid phase support through the ligand molecule and the second antibody.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assay according to claim 1 wherein the ligand molecule comprises one first antigen and one second antigen, the two antigens being irreversibly bound together through a bridging support molecule.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An assay according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the mixture is formed by mixing the separate components in one step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
An assay according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mixture is formed by; forming a mixture of the sample solution and the ligand molecule, and mixing the said mixture with a mixture formed between the first antibody and the second antibody.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
37 words
A method for determining the fertile period of the menstrual cycle wherein an assay according to any one of the preceding claims is used to monitor the relative concentrations of oestone-3- g lucuronide and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide in urine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the ligand molecule used in the assay comprises, at least one molecule of oestrone-3-glucuronide and at least one molecule of pregnane-3-glucuronide irreversibly bound through a bridge support molecule.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the ligand molecule is of the formula
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A reagent kit for performing an assay according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or a method according to any of claims 5 to 7.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A reagent kit for performing an assay according to any of claims 1 -to3comprising, separately, the first antibody, the second antibody and the ligand molecule.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A reagent kit for performing an assay according to claim 1,2 or 4 comprising a mixture of the first antibody and the second antibody and, separately, the ligand molecule.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A ligand molecule comprising two different antigenic radicals irreversibly bound to a bridging support molecule, the bridging support molecule being a divalent radical derived from an organic compound having two reactive functional groups.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A ligand molecule comprising two different antigenic radicals irreversibly bound to a bridging support molecule, the bridging support molecule being a divalent radical derived from an organic compound having two reactive functional groups.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A ligand molecule according to claim 11 wherein the divalent radical is derived from a compound of the general formula wherein R is -NH 2 , - halogen, or -0-CO-alkyl and n is 2 to 10.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A ligand molecule according to claim 11 or 12 wherein R is -NH 2 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A ligand molecule according to any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein n is 6.