US4454231A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and device for mass transfer operation in immunoassays and other applications
Assignee: Technion Research and Development Foundation Ltd
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Filing: 1980-12-04
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Granted: 1984-06-12
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Expires: 2000-12-04
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a new technique and device for mass transfer of one or more components from one liquid phase to another liquid phase, involving a physical separation of said two phases. According to the new technique, the mass transfer and physical separation are carried out in the same device. The device consists of a mixing-reservoir into which is fitted snugly a mixer-separator, having a channel in the vertical axis of the mixer-separator. The two substantially immiscible liquid solutions are introduced into the mixing reservoir, the phases are thoroughly mixed, by moving the mixer-separator in and out the mixing reservoir. After the spontaneous separation into an upper and lower phase, the upper phase is removed by pushing in the mixer-separator said upper phase being accumulated in a collecting container. The new technique and device can be successfully utilized in the general field of liquid-liquid extraction and particularly applied in immunoassays, where the two basic operations of mass transfer and physical separation of fractions are required.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Cais
- 👤 Moshe Shimoni
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:38
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D11/00; B01D11/04; B01J; B01J8/00; B01J8/0015; B01J8/003; B01J8/18; B01J8/24; B01J8/34; G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/53; G01N33/536; G01N33/537; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/502; B01L3/5021; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/975; Y10S436/00; Y10S436/80; Y10S436/801; Y10S436/804; Y10S436/807; Y10S436/808; Y10S436/81; Y10S436/811; Y10S436/815; Y10S436/816; Y10S436/817
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A device for carrying out the mass transfer operation of one or more components from a first liquid to a second liquid substantially immiscible with the first liquid and the physical separation of said two liquids, comprising: a mixing reservoir (A); a mixer-separator means (B), snuggly fitted into said mixing reservoir for sliding movement therein and having at least one unobstructed channel (C) traversing the vertical axis thereof and opening into said mixing reservoir, and a collection container (E) at the end of said mixer-separator means opposite said unobstructed opening, for thoroughly mixing the two liquids in response to at least one movement of said mixer-separator means into and out of said mixing reservoir by an amount sufficient to cause a substantial portion of both liquids to be transported through said channel into said collection container and back into said mixing reservoir and for subsequently separating the first liquid from the second liquid in response to controlled movement of said mixer-separator means into said mixing reservoir to a distance sufficient to transport the desired amount of the lens dense liquid through said channel into said collection container; and a stopper means (S) on said collection container for selectively opening and closing said collection container to the outside.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
207 words
A device for carrying out the mass transfer operation of one or more components from a first liquid to a second liquid substantially immiscible with the first liquid and the physical separation of said two liquids, comprising: a mixing reservoir (A); a mixer-separator means (B), snuggly fitted into said mixing reservoir for sliding movement therein and having at least one unobstructed channel (C) traversing the vertical axis thereof and opening into said mixing reservoir, and a collection container (E) at the end of said mixer-separator means opposite said unobstructed opening, for thoroughly mixing the two liquids in response to at least one movement of said mixer-separator means into and out of said mixing reservoir by an amount sufficient to cause a substantial portion of both liquids to be transported through said channel into said collection container and back into said mixing reservoir and for subsequently separating the first liquid from the second liquid in response to controlled movement of said mixer-separator means into said mixing reservoir to a distance sufficient to transport the desired amount of the lens dense liquid through said channel into said collection container; and a stopper means (S) on said collection container for selectively opening and closing said collection container to the outside.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the mixer-separator (B) has at its base a sealing element which possesses at least one orifice bore passing through its thickness, said bore being connected with the channel (C).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the sealing element slides along the inner walls of the mixing-reservoir (A), staying in good contact with said inner walls of the mixing-reservoir (A).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said sealing element consists of a rubber-O-ring having an orifice bore connected with the channel C, said ring being adapted to slide along the inner walls of the mixing-reservoir (A).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein only the lower part of the mixer-separator (B) is snugly fitted into the mixing-reservoir (A).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the channel (C) traverses only the lower part of the vertical axis of the mixer-separator (B).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the mixing-reservoir (A) possesses at least two longitudinal grooves located into its walls and correspond with the same number of protuberances located on the mixer-separator (B), thus facilitating the gliding of the mixer-separator (B) into the mixing-reservoir (A).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the mixing-reservoir (A) has a cylindrical shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the mixing-reservoir (A) is marked with graduated scale for volume measurements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein a ring (D) is interposed between the upper end of the mixing-reservoir (A) and the collecting container (E), which can be slided on the mixer-separator (B), which determines the level of pushing the mixing reservoir (A).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the collecting-container (E) is wider than the outer diameter of the mixing-reservoir (A) at a certain height from the upper end of the mixer-separator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said device is made from an inert material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein said inert material is selected from the group consisting of glass, polyethylene or any other adequate plastic material and metal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said mixer-separator means is snuggly fitted into said mixing reservoir along the entire length of the mixer-separator means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
166 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer operation of one or more components from a first liquid to a second liquid substantially immiscible with said first liquid followed by a physical separation of said two liquids, said mass transfer and physical separation operations being carried out in a device as defined in claim 1, said method comprising the steps of: introducing two substantially immiscible liquids to be contacted into the mixing-reservoir, mixing said liquids by at least one movement of said mixer-separator into and out of said mixing reservoir by an amount sufficient to cause a substantial portion of both liquids to be transported through said channel into said collection container and back into said mixing reservoir; allowing an interface to form between the upper phase and lower phase of said two liquids; moving the mixer-separator means into the upper phase contained in said mixing reservoir to cause flowing of a desired amount of the liquid upper phase through said unobstructed channel into the collecting container.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer operation according to claim 15, wherein said liquids are suitable for immunossay.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer operation according to claim 16, wherein said immunoassay is radioimmunoassay.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer oepration according to claim 15, wherein said mixing, forming, moving and flowing steps are performed automatically.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer operation according to claim 15, wherein said liquids in said mixing step contain digoxin.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer operation according to claim 15, wherein said liquids in said mixing step contain a hormone selected from the group consisting of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer operation according to claim 15, wherein said liquids in said mixing step contain T 4 .
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer operation according to claim 15, wherein said liquids in said mixing step contain T 3 .
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer operation according to claim 15, wherein said liquids in said mixing step contain barbiturates.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer operation according to claim 15, wherein said liquids in said mixing step contain cannabinoids.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer operation according to claim 15, wherein said liquids in said mixing step contain morphine.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer operation according to claim 16, wherein mass transfer occurs in said mixing step and separation of the bound and free ligands of said immunoassay occurs after said mixing step in said interface forming and said flowing steps.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer operation according to claim 16, wherein said immunoassay is free radical assay.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer operation according to claim 16 wherein said immunoassay is fluorescence immunoassay.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer operation according to claim 16, wherein said immunoassay is enzyme immunoassay.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method for carrying out mass transfer operation according to claim 16 wherein said immunoassay is metalloimmunoassay.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein said moving step comprises moving the mixer-separator means into the upper phase by an amount sufficient to cause the upper phase to flow through said channel so that substantially none of the upper phase remains in said channel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
A kit for immunoassay comprising: a device as defined in claim 1; a first liquid containing a substance to be assayed; and a second liquid substantially immiscible with said first liquid and containing a means to identify said substance to be assayed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-06-12 | 1987-12-12 | 1988-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-12 | 1991-12-12 | 1992-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-12 | 1995-12-12 | 1996-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |