Automated immunoassay

Claim 1

An automated immunoassay apparatus which comprises: means for time controlled incubation of a multiplicity of sample solutions, each of which comprises a mixture of (a) a sample, possibly containing an antigen or antibody intended to be assayed, (b) a solution of a known concentration of a tagged antigen or tagged antibody, and when assaying for antigen, optionally (c) a solution of a known titer of an antibody reactable with said antigen; activating detector means for determining the presence of the incubated sample and for activating a timing means upon detection of said sample at a detection station; means for introducing said incubated sample into said activating detector means; timing means, which is activatable by said activating detector means when said detector means detects the presence of the incubated sample at a detection station, for generating control signals at predetermined time sequences; means for separating said incubated sample into a first portion containing antigen or antibody which has not been complexed during the said incubation, and a second portion containing antigen or antibody which has been complexed during said incubation; means for introducing one of said portions from said separating means into a measuring detector means; measuring detector means for detecting the amount of tagged material in said portion while said portion is maintained in a virtually static condition; recording means coupled to said detector means for recording the amounts of tagged material in said measuring detector means; means for isolating said incubated sample from additional sample solutions introduced into said apparatus for assay, wherein said isolating means is activatable by a control signal emitted from said timing means, whereby said isolating means isolates the system at a first predetermined signal from said timing means, and whereby said isolating means reconnects the system to said incubation means at a second predetermined signal from said timing means, wherein the second predetermined time period is set so as to enable sufficient time to complete said measurement before the next incubated sample arrives in the said detector means for the next sequential measurement; and means for flushing said portion from said system after said measurement thereof so as to prepare said detector for the next sequential sample for said measurement.

Claim 11

A method for continuous immunoassay, which comprises: incubating for a predetermined time period, a multiplicity of sample solutions, each of which comprises a mixture of (a) a sample possibly containing an antigen intended to be assayed; (b) a solution of a known concentration of a tagged antigen; and when assaying for antigen, optionally, (c) a solution containing a known titer of antibody reactable with said antigen, the concentration of said antibody being selected so as to form an incubated sample containing an antibody-antigen complex, and possibly containing unreacted antigen and tagged antigen, if said sample contains an antigen; directing said incubated sample into an activating detector which is capable of determining the presence of said sample and activating, activating a timing means upon detection of said sample in said detector; isolating said incubated sample from any additional samples being incubated on a predetermined signal from said timing means; separating said incubated solution into a first portion containing an antigen or antibody which has not been complexed during the said incubation and a second portion containing antigen or antibody which has been complexed during said incubation; directing one of said portions into a measuring detector, detecting the amount of tagged material in said portion while said portion is maintained in a virtually static condition, and recording said measurement; evacuating said portion to waste; directing a subsequent incubated sample into said activating detector on a second predetermined signal from said timing means so that the next subsequent incubated sample to be assayed arrives in the activating detector for the next measurement after the previous measurement is completed; and comparing the measurement with precalibrated values to determine the quantity of antigen being assayed.

Claim 12

A method for continuous immunoassay, which comprises: incubating for a predetermined time period, a multiplicity of sample solutions, each of which comprises a mixture of (a) a sample possibly containing an antigen intended to be assayed; (b) a solution of a known concentration of a tagged antigen; and when assaying for antigen, optionally, (c) a solution containing a known titer of antibody reactable with said antigen, the concentration of said antibody being selected so as to form an incubated sample containing an antibody-antigen complex, and possibly containing unreacted antigen and tagged antigen, if said sample contains an antigen; directing said incubated sample into an activating detector which is capable of determining the presence of said sample and activating, activating a timing means upon detection of said sample in said detector; isolating said incubated sample from any additional samples being incubated on a predetermined signal from said timing means; separating said incubated solution into a first portion containing an antigen or antibody which has not been complexed during the said incubation and a second portion containing antigen or antibody which has been complexed during said incubation; directing one of said portions into a measuring detector, detecting the amount of tagged material in said portion while said portion is maintained in a virtually static condition, and recording said measurement; evacuating said portion to waste; directing a subsequent incubated sample into said activating detector on a second predetermined signal from said timing means so that the next subsequent incubated sample to be assayed arrives in the activating detector for the next measurement after the previous measurement is completed; and comparing the measurement with precalibrated values to determine the quantity of antigen being assayed.