Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A specific-binding assay method for assaying a ligand in an aqueous medium, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a mixture of said aqueous medium with a reagent containing a labeled constituent, which constituent comprises a conjugate of (i) a gamma-labeling substance and (ii) a binding component which binds said ligand, to form a bound fraction and a free fraction of said labeled constituent, the quantity of said labeling substance in said bound fraction being proportional to the amount of said ligand in said aqueous medium; (b) then contacting said mixture with a solvent medium which (i) has the property of selective extraction power toward said ligand and (ii) forms a separate phase from said aqueous medium, such that said free fraction is extracted into said separate phase; and thereafter (c) determining the quantity of said gamma-labeling substance in either said bound fraction of said free fraction, wherein said solvent medium consists essentially of at least one selected from the group consisting of methyl isobutyl ketone, chloroform, dichloromethane, carbon tetrachloride, tert-amyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, tert-butyl methyl ether, hexane, heptane and isooctane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A specific-binding assay method for assaying a ligand in an aqueous medium, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a mixture of said aqueous medium with a reagent containing a labeled constituent, which constituent comprises a conjugate of (i) a gamma-labeling substance and (ii) a binding component which binds said ligand, to form a bound fraction and a free fraction of said labeled constituent, the quantity of said labeling substance in said bound fraction being proportional to the amount of said ligand in said aqueous medium; (b) then contacting said mixture with a solvent medium which (i) has the property of selective extraction power toward said ligand and (ii) forms a separate phase from said aqueous medium, such that said free fraction is extracted into said separate phase; and thereafter (c) determining the quantity of said gamma-labeling substance in either said bound fraction of said free fraction, wherein said solvent medium consists essentially of at least one selected from the group consisting of methyl isobutyl ketone, chloroform, dichloromethane, carbon tetrachloride, tert-amyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, tert-butyl methyl ether, hexane, heptane and isooctane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said solvent medium consists essentially of tert-amyl alcohol and tert-butyl methyl ether.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein step (c) is carried out while said organic phase is in contact with said aqueous medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises determining the quantity of said gamma-labeling substance in said bound fraction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said ligand is an antigen or hapten and said binding component is an antibody which reacts selectively with said antigen or hapten.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising after step (b) a step (d) of contacting said solvent medium with a solid, hydrophobic material which adsorbs said solvent, whereby said free fraction is taken into said solid material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises impregnating a solid, hydrophilic material with said mixture, such that the binding of said ligand by said binding component proceeds to equilibrium in said hydrophilic material; and step (b) comprises contacting said hydrophilic material with a solid, hydrophobic material impregnated with said solvent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said ligand is selected from the group consisting of a hormone, a barbitutrate, a steroid, a vitamin, a tranquilizer, a drug, and an alkaloid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein said ligand is Digoxin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein said ligand is Estriol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein said ligand is Thyroxine (T-4).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein said ligand is Estradiol 17β.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein said ligand is Phenobarbitone.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein said ligand is Tetrahydrocannabinol.