Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
In a composition for determining the presence of a component in a test sample, wherein said composition comprises a reagent system containing a peroxidatively active substance, and an oxidation-reduction indicator capable of providing a detectable response in the presence of H 2 O 2 and said peroxidatively active substance, and wherein said response is suceptible to being adversely influenced by the presence in said test sample of ascorbic acid, said composition further comprising a heavy metal compound which, in its ionized state, has an oxidation potential below that of said indicator, but above that of ascorbic acid, the improvement wherein said heavy metal compound is a complex of mercuric ion and one or more ligands, said ligand being covalently bound to said ion to form a water-soluble complex, and said ligand having a higher oxidation potential than said ion in its complexed state; said complex having a K s greater than about 10 7 , wherein K s is defined by the equation ##EQU6## and said complex being substantially noninterfering with respect to said reagent system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a composition for determining the presence of a component in a test sample, wherein said composition comprises a reagent system containing a peroxidatively active substance, and an oxidation-reduction indicator capable of providing a detectable response in the presence of H 2 O 2 and said peroxidatively active substance, and wherein said response is suceptible to being adversely influenced by the presence in said test sample of ascorbic acid, said composition further comprising a heavy metal compound which, in its ionized state, has an oxidation potential below that of said indicator, but above that of ascorbic acid, the improvement wherein said heavy metal compound is a complex of mercuric ion and one or more ligands, said ligand being covalently bound to said ion to form a water-soluble complex, and said ligand having a higher oxidation potential than said ion in its complexed state; said complex having a K s greater than about 10 7 , wherein K s is defined by the equation ##EQU6## and said complex being substantially noninterfering with respect to said reagent system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improved composition of claim 1 wherein said ligand is an amino acid, a nucleoside, a secondary amine, a tertiary amine, an amide, or a phosphine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improved composition of claim 2 wherein said ligand is sarcosine, threonine, serine, proline, bicene, uridine, triethanolamine, diethanolamine, lauroylsarcosine, urea of triphenylphosphine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improved composition of claim 1 wherein said complex is mercury (II) sarcosinate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The improved composition of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said test sample component is a sugar and wherein said reagent system comprises an enzyme capable of promoting the oxidation of said sugar to produce peroxide, and wherein said indicator is a chromogenic substance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improved composition of claim 5 wherein said sugar is glucose, said enzyme is glucose oxidase and said peroxidatively active substance is peroxidase.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improved composition of claim 5 wherein said chromogenic substance is benzidine, o-tolidine, 3,3',5,5'-tetra(lower alkyl)benzidine, N-, or N,N'-poly(lower alkyl)-substituted benzidine, 2,7-diaminofluorene or mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improved composition of claim 6 wherein said chromogenic substance is benzidine, o-tolidine, 3,3',5,5'-tetra(lower alkyl)benzidine, N-, or N,N'-poly(lower alkyl)-substituted benzidine, 2,7-diaminofluorene or mixtures thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A test device for determining the presence of a component in a test sample, said device comprising a carrier matrix incorporated with the improved composition of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A test device for determining the presence of a component in a test sample, said device comprising a carrier matrix incorporated with the improved composition of claim 5.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A test device for determining the presence of a component in a test sample, said device comprising a carrier matrix incorporated with the improved composition of claim 6.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A test device for determining the presence of a component in a test sample, said device comprising a carrier matrix incorporated with the improved composition of claim 7.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A test device for determining the presence of a component in a test sample, said device comprising a carrier matrix incorporated with the improved composition of claim 8.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method for determining the presence of a component in a test sample, said method comprising contacting said sample with the improved composition of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, and observing any detectable response.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for determining the presence of a sugar in a test sample, said method comprising contacting said sample with the improved composition of claim 5, and observing any detectable response.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for determining the presence of a sugar in a test sample, said method comprising contacting said sample with the improved composition of claim 6, and observing any detectable response.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for determining the presence of a sugar in a test sample, said method comprising contacting said sample with the improved composition of claim 7, and observing any detectable response.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for determining the presence of a sugar in a test sample, said method comprising contacting said sample with the improved composition of claim 8, and observing any detectable response.