US4665034A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for performing qualitative enzyme immunoassays
Assignee: Adi Diagnostics Inc
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Filing: 1983-11-15
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Granted: 1987-05-12
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Expires: 2003-11-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a device and method for performing qualitative enzyme immunoassays. The device comprises at least one tube having antibody, antigen or hapten attached to an internal surface thereof. A first syringe is connectable to a first end of the tube or tubes and supplies a flow of test liquid therethrough. A second syringe having a two piston arrangement is connected to the tube so as to allow a first wash solution followed by an enzyme conjugate solution to be flowed therethrough. Finally a third syringe, also having a two piston configuration, is connected to the tube so as to allow a second wash solution followed by an enzyme substrate and metabolite indicator solution to be flowed therethrough.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard M. Chandler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/74; G01N33/76; G01N33/53; G01N33/543; G01N33/54366; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/81; Y10S436/00; Y10S436/807; Y10S436/808; Y10S436/815; Y10S436/817; Y10S436/818
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
A device for performing an enzyme immunoassay, comprising: at least one assay tube having a first and a second end and having an antibody, antigen or hapten attached to an internal surface thereof; a first syringe having an outlet connectable to the first end of the assay tube for supplying a flow of a test liquid therethrough; a second syringe having an outlet connected to the first end of the assay tube for supplying a flow of a first wash solution followed immediately by a flow of an enzyme conjugate containing solution therethrough, said second syringe having a first piston and a second piston spaced from one another, the first piston being positioned to separate the first wash solution from the conjugate solution, the second piston having a plunger, and said syringe also having a wall with a groove therein connecting the syringe outlet with the conjugate solution only when the first piston is fully depressed; and a third syringe having an outlet connected to the first end of the assay tube for supplying a flow of a second wash solution followed immediately by a flow of solution containing an enzyme substrate and an enzyme metabolite indicator therethrough, said third syringe having a first piston and a second piston, spaced from one another, the first piston being positioned to separate the second wash solution from the substrate, the second piston having a plunger, said third syringe also having a wall with a groove therein connecting the syringe outlet with the substrate and indicator solution only when the first piston is fully depressed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
262 words
A device for performing an enzyme immunoassay, comprising: at least one assay tube having a first and a second end and having an antibody, antigen or hapten attached to an internal surface thereof; a first syringe having an outlet connectable to the first end of the assay tube for supplying a flow of a test liquid therethrough; a second syringe having an outlet connected to the first end of the assay tube for supplying a flow of a first wash solution followed immediately by a flow of an enzyme conjugate containing solution therethrough, said second syringe having a first piston and a second piston spaced from one another, the first piston being positioned to separate the first wash solution from the conjugate solution, the second piston having a plunger, and said syringe also having a wall with a groove therein connecting the syringe outlet with the conjugate solution only when the first piston is fully depressed; and a third syringe having an outlet connected to the first end of the assay tube for supplying a flow of a second wash solution followed immediately by a flow of solution containing an enzyme substrate and an enzyme metabolite indicator therethrough, said third syringe having a first piston and a second piston, spaced from one another, the first piston being positioned to separate the second wash solution from the substrate, the second piston having a plunger, said third syringe also having a wall with a groove therein connecting the syringe outlet with the substrate and indicator solution only when the first piston is fully depressed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antibody, antigen or hapten is bonded to the internal surface of the assay tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control tube not having any antibody, antigen or hapten attached to an internal surface thereof, the control tube being connected to one end of the assay tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for receiving and storing liquids which have flowed through the assay tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means for receiving and storing liquids comprises a reservoir formed integrally with the device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is a pregnancy test kit having human chorionic gonadotropin antibody (anti-HCG) attached to the internal surface of the assay tube, the enzyme conjugate being urease/anti-HCG, the enzyme substrate being urea, and the enzyme metabolite indicator being bromthymol blue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the test liquid is urine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the test liquid is blood.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third syringe is provided with a plunger having a rod slidably disposed longitudinally within it, said rod having a piston affixed at its lower end, the piston being equipped with a piercing member protruding from the lower surface thereof and the plunger having a rupture membrane covering an opening at its lower end, said membrane, the interior of the plunger and the lower end of the rod defining a chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the device is a pregnancy test kit having human chorionic gonadotropin antibody (anti-HCG) attached to the internal surface of the assay tube, the enzyme conjugate being urease/anti-HCG, the enzyme substrate being urea contained in powder form in said chamber, and the indicator being bromthymol blue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second and third syringes are each provided with a rupture membrane about each outlet thereof to prevent cross contamination of solutions contained therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising vent means for the reservoir and a protective hard cover for the device having means integral therewith for plugging the vent means when the cover is in place.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device has a flat bottom surface provided with grooves therein connecting outlets for the first, second and third syringes with the first end of the assay tube, and a base plate for the device which coacts with the grooves to form channels for the flow of liquids from the syringes to the first end of the assay tube.
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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) | 1990-05-11 | 1990-11-10 | 1991-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-11 | 1994-11-10 | 1995-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-11 | 1998-11-10 | 1999-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |