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US4477577A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-contaminating direct serum assay of steroid hormones
Assignee: University of Southern California
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Filing: 1981-09-18
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Granted: 1984-10-16
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Expires: 2001-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A method for direct serum assay of steroid hormones wherein the competition from binding protein, having an affinity for complexing with the steroid hormones, is significantly eliminated by adding to the serum an artificial compound which has a greater or equal affinity for the binding protein than do the steroid hormones, and which is not immuno-reactive with the steroid hormones. Because the compound is artificial, it is non-contaminating. Levonorgestrel and norethindrone as such compounds are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M. Nakamura
- 👤 Daniel R. Mishell
- 👤 Paul G. Stumpf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/74; G01N33/743; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S436/00; Y10S436/815; Y10S436/817; Y10S436/825; Y10S436/826
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
In a method for direct serum assay of a target steroid hormone, employing the counting of a tagged antigen, in which binding protein competes with an antibody that is added to the serum sample along with the tagged antigen for the target steroid hormone, the improvement comprising: adding to the serum a synthesized compound which does not exist naturally in the serum being assayed, said component being non-immuno-reactive with the antibody and having sufficient competing affinity for binding protein with the target steroid hormone to release an amount of the target steroid hormone sufficient to permit accurate quantification thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a method for direct serum assay of a target steroid hormone, employing the counting of a tagged antigen, in which binding protein competes with an antibody that is added to the serum sample along with the tagged antigen for the target steroid hormone, the improvement comprising: adding to the serum a synthesized compound which does not exist naturally in the serum being assayed, said component being non-immuno-reactive with the antibody and having sufficient competing affinity for binding protein with the target steroid hormone to release an amount of the target steroid hormone sufficient to permit accurate quantification thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the target steroid hormone is a sex steroid hormone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the sex steroid hormone is of the group consisting of: estrogens; and, androgens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the target steroid hormone is a 21 carbon steroid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 or 4 in which the compound is levonorgestrel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 or 4 in which the compound is norethindrone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
In a method for direct serum assay of a target steroid hormone, employing the counting of a tagged antigen, in which binding protein competes with an antibody that is added to the serum sample along with the tagged antigen, for the target steroid hormone, the improvement comprising: adding levonorgestrel to the serum, sufficient to effectively free the untagged antigen from the binding protein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
In a method for direct serum assay of a target steroid hormone, employing the counting of a tagged antigen, in which binding protein competes with an antibody that is added to the serum sample along with the tagged antigen, for the target steroid hormone, the improvement comprising: adding levonorgestrel to the serum, sufficient to effectively free the untagged antigen from the binding protein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is levonorgestral and the target steroid hormone comprises a 21 carbon steroid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
In a method for direct serum assay of a target steroid hormone, employing the counting of a tagged antigen, in which binding protein competes with an antibody that is added to the serum sample along with the tagged antigen, for the target steroid hormone, the improvement comprising: adding norethindrone to the serum, sufficient to effectively free the untagged antigen from the binding protein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
In a method for direct serum assay of a target steroid hormone, employing the counting of a tagged antigen, in which binding protein competes with an antibody that is added to the serum sample along with the tagged antigen, for the target steroid hormone, the improvement comprising: adding norethindrone to the serum, sufficient to effectively free the untagged antigen from the binding protein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is norethindrone and the target steroid hormone comprises a 21 carbon steroid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-16 | 1988-04-16 | 1988-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-16 | 1992-04-16 | 1992-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-16 | 1996-04-16 | 1996-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |