EP0198413A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rapid assay processor
Assignee: EIDP Inc
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Filing: 1986-04-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A system and method is disclosed for the rapid detection and (or) purification of analytes in a sample. The system makes use of a fluid receptacle containing a capture reagent and a manifold having two ports. A sample containing an analyte disposed within the fluid receptacle is subjected to a capture reagent and processed by inserting the open end of the receptacle in one port. Vacuum, gas, reagents, and wash fluids are then applied to the second port to effect rapid interaction between the capture reagent and analyte, efficient washing of the capture reagent and detection and/or collection of the analyte. The system and method provide a rapid safe, uncomplicated means of automating processes based on affinity complexation principles. Encompassed within this category of processes are immunoassays, nucleic acid hybridization tests and affinity separations.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Calvin Ebersole
- 👤 Frank Thomas Gelormini
- 👤 Jesse Garrett Forsythe, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:49
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/02; B01L3/021; G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; B01L2300/00; B01L2300/06; B01L2300/0627; B01L2300/0636; B01L3/50; B01L3/508; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N2035/1027; G01N2035/1048; G01N2035/1055; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S436/00; Y10S436/807; Y10S436/808; Y10S436/809; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/25; Y10T436/2575
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
In a system for processing samples disposed in a fluid receptacle having an open end and containing an analyte to be processed and a capture reagent on a solid support, the system including means for subjectting the analyte to a capture reagent, the improvement in which the system includes: a manifold defining a closed chamber and first and second ports communicating with the chamber, means to place the open end of the fluid receptacle in fluid communication with the first port, and means for selectively introducing to and removing from the chamber and hence the receptacle through the second port gas, vacuum, reagents, wash fluids, thereby to alternatively effect rapid interaction between the capture reagent and analyte, efficient washing of the capture reagent, and collection of the analyte.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a system for processing samples disposed in a fluid receptacle having an open end and containing an analyte to be processed and a capture reagent on a solid support, the system including means for subjectting the analyte to a capture reagent, the improvement in which the system includes: a manifold defining a closed chamber and first and second ports communicating with the chamber, means to place the open end of the fluid receptacle in fluid communication with the first port, and means for selectively introducing to and removing from the chamber and hence the receptacle through the second port gas, vacuum, reagents, wash fluids, thereby to alternatively effect rapid interaction between the capture reagent and analyte, efficient washing of the capture reagent, and collection of the analyte.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of Claim 1 in which the introducing means applies coordinated pulses of vacuum and air to the chamber and hence to the receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of Claim 2 wherein the manifold defines plural receptacle ports communicating with the closed chamber, each adapted to receive and to place a fluid receptacle in fluid communication with the chamber, thereby to simultaneously subject plural sample receptacles to the vacuum, gas, reagents and/or wash fluids.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of Claim 3 in which the plural receptacle ports are located at equal distances from the second port.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of Claim 1 wherein the manifold defines plural receptacle ports communicating with the closed chamber, each adapted to receive and to place a fluid receptacle in fluid communication with the cham ber, thereby to simultaneously subject plural sample receptacles to a vacuum, gas, reagents and/or wash fluids.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of Claim 5 in which the plural ports are located at equal distances from the second port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of Claim 1 wherein the fluid receptacle is elongated and closed at one end and open at the other, with the open end being in fluid communication with the chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of Claim 2 wherein the fluid receptacle has a closed portion defining a compartment, a porous retainer in the open end, and the capture reagent is disposed in the compartment.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
21 words
The system of Claim - 8 - wherein- the capture reagent is secured to particulates that cannot pass through the retainer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of Claim 8 wherein the capture reagent is secured to the porous retainer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of Claim 7 wherein the fluid receptacle is collapsible.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of Claim 11 wherein the fluid receptacle has a closed portion defining a compartment, a porous retainer in the open end, and the capture reagent is disposed in the compartment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of Claim 12 wherein the closed chamber is in the form of an elongated passageway with the second port disposed at one end of the passageway and a third port disposed at the other end of the passageway.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
86 words
A test apparatus for processing fluid devices each containing a sample having an analyte to be processed, the test apparatus comprising: a manifold having a first port adapted to receive a device and place it in fluid communication with the manifold and a second port, means to selectively subject the manifold through the second port to vacuum, gas, reagents, and wash fluids, the device forming with the manifold a closed system whereby the sample can be selectively subjected to the vacuum, gas, reagents and wash fluids.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
86 words
A test apparatus for processing fluid devices each containing a sample having an analyte to be processed, the test apparatus comprising: a manifold having a first port adapted to receive a device and place it in fluid communication with the manifold and a second port, means to selectively subject the manifold through the second port to vacuum, gas, reagents, and wash fluids, the device forming with the manifold a closed system whereby the sample can be selectively subjected to the vacuum, gas, reagents and wash fluids.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus set forth in Claim 14 in which the manifold has plural first ports each adapted to receive a device and place it in fluid communication with the manifold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus set forth in Claim 15 in which the manifold ports are located at equal distances from the second port.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of Claim 16 wherein the fluid devices each have a closed end and an open end with the closed end defining a collapsible compartment, each device having a porous retainer at the open end, the closed end containing the sample and an analyte capture reagent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of Claim 17 wherein the selective subjecting means includes a separate valve for coupling sources of each of the vacuum, gas, reagents and wash fluids with the manifold, and a controller for selectively actuating the valves to alternately introduce and withdraw the air, vacuum, wash fluids and reagents into and from the devices.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of Claim 18 wherein the fluid devices each have an access port and a porous retainer positioned in the access port.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of Claim 15 wherein the fluid devices each have a closed end and an open end with the closed end defining a collapsible compartment, each device having a porous retainer at the open end, the closed end containing the sample and an analyte capture reagent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of Claim 20 wherein the selective subjecting means includes a separate valve for coupling sources of each of the vacuum, gas, reagents and-wash fluids with the manifold, and a - controller for selectively actuating the valves to alternately introduce and withdraw the air, vacuum, wash fluids and reagents into and from the devices.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of Claim 21 wherein the fluid devices each have an access port and a porous retainer positioned in the access port.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for processing samples having an analyte disposed in a closed receptacle, having an access port, together with a capture reagent for the analyte, and a porous retainer in the receptacle preventing escape of the capture reagents by the steps of: subjecting the access port and hence the receptacle to a vacuum, and thereafter selectively subjecting the receptacle to reagents, vacuum, air, and/or wash fluids thereby to capture, wash and develop the analyte.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for processing samples having an analyte disposed in a closed receptacle, having an access port, together with a capture reagent for the analyte, and a porous retainer in the receptacle preventing escape of the capture reagents by the steps of: subjecting the access port and hence the receptacle to a vacuum, and thereafter selectively subjecting the receptacle to reagents, vacuum, air, and/or wash fluids thereby to capture, wash and develop the analyte.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of Claim 23 wherein the receptacle is subjected to coordinated application of vacuum and air to recycle the analyte and reagents back and forth across the capture reagent.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
A receptacle for processing test fluids having analytes comprising a closed container having an access port, a porous retainer positioned in the access port, and a capture reagent disposed in the container.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
A receptacle for processing test fluids having analytes comprising a closed container having an access port, a porous retainer positioned in the access port, and a capture reagent disposed in the container.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The receptacle set forth in Claim 25 wherein the internal volume of the receptacle exceeds the volume of the test fluids by more than a factor of two.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The receptacle set forth in Claim 26 wherein the container is shaped to have a bulbous portion and an elongated. passageway leading to the access port, the porous retainer being disposed between the passageway and the bulbous portion.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The receptacle set forth in Claim 27 wherein the container is collapsible..
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The receptacle set forth in Claim 28 wherein the intemal volume of the passageway and that of the bulbous portion each exceeds the volume of the test fluid.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
39 words
The receptacle set forth in Claim 25 wherein the container is shaped to have a bulbous portion and an elongated passageway leading to the ac-- cess port, the porous retainer being disposed between the passageway and the bulbous portion.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
The receptacle set forth in Claim 30 wherein the container is collapsible.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The receptacle set forth in Claim 31 wherein the internal volume of the passageway and that of the bulbous portion each exceeds the volume of the test fluid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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