Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
In an assay for determining the presence of an analyte in a sample wherein an enzyme is employed and the amount of analyte is related to the amount of enzyme activity in an assay medium and wherein the sample contains components other than analyte which interfere with the amount of enzyme activity and its relation to the amount of analyte, the improvement which comprises minimizing specific interference resulting from components in the sample other than the analyte which interfere with the amount of enzyme activity and its relation to the amount of analyte by specific binding to the enzyme by incorporating into the sample an agent for rendering said components incapable of binding to the enzyme in an amount and under conditions sufficient to substantially minimize said interference.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
In an assay for determining the presence of an analyte in a sample wherein an enzyme is employed and the amount of analyte is related to the amount of enzyme activity in an assay medium and wherein the sample contains components other than analyte which interfere with the amount of enzyme activity and its relation to the amount of analyte, the improvement which comprises minimizing specific interference resulting from components in the sample other than the analyte which interfere with the amount of enzyme activity and its relation to the amount of analyte by specific binding to the enzyme by incorporating into the sample an agent for rendering said components incapable of binding to the enzyme in an amount and under conditions sufficient to substantially minimize said interference.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the enzyme is β-galactosidase.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the agent is a peracid, the sample is serum and the method comprises (a) contacting the serum, prior to determining the presence of said analyte, with from about 0.01 mmole to 10 mmole of the peracid per ml of serum at a pH of about 2 to 9 for a time sufficient to substantially minimize said interference and (b) destroying excess peracid with a reductant, (c) combining the serum with a conjugate of the analyte and an enzyme and with a receptor for analyte, and (d) determining the enzyme activity of the combination.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the peracid is organic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the peracid is inorganic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the peracid is peracetate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the inorganic acid is persulfate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the analyte is ferritin, the enzyme is β-galactosidase, and the receptor is antibody for ferritin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the agent further includes an active enzyme corresponding to the enzyme of the enzyme-analyte conjugate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the agent is a ligand capable of interacting with said components in an amount and under conditions sufficient to substantially minimize said interference.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the ligand is inactive but antigenic enzyme.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the enzyme is β-galactosidase.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the sample is further mixed with a reducing agent in an amount and under conditions sufficient to substantially reduce the anti-enzyme activity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the reducing agent is dithioerythritol.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the analyte is ferritin, the enzyme is β-galactosidase, and the receptor is antibody for ferritin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
105 words
An immunoassay method for the determination of ferritin in serum which comprises: (a) contacting the serum with from about 0.01 mmole to 10 mmole of a peracid per ml of serum for at least about 1 minute and not more than 6 hrs at a temperature of about 4° to 45° C. and a pH of about 2 to 9, (b) destroying excess peracid with a reductant, (c) combining the serum sample in an aqueous zone with a conjugate comprising β-galactosidase and ferritin and with anti-ferritin and a macromolecular substrate, and (d) determining ferritin in the serum from the modulation of β-galactosidase activity which occurs.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
105 words
An immunoassay method for the determination of ferritin in serum which comprises: (a) contacting the serum with from about 0.01 mmole to 10 mmole of a peracid per ml of serum for at least about 1 minute and not more than 6 hrs at a temperature of about 4° to 45° C. and a pH of about 2 to 9, (b) destroying excess peracid with a reductant, (c) combining the serum sample in an aqueous zone with a conjugate comprising β-galactosidase and ferritin and with anti-ferritin and a macromolecular substrate, and (d) determining ferritin in the serum from the modulation of β-galactosidase activity which occurs.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the serum sample in Step b is further combined with antibody for antibody for ferritin.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 16 wherein active β-galactosidase is included in Step a.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
100 words
An immunoassay method for the determination of ferritin in serum, which comprises: (a) combining the serum in an aqueous zone with inactive but antigenic β-galactosidase in an amount of about 1 to 100 micrograms per ml of serum and with a conjugate comprising β-galactosidase and ferritin and with antibody for ferritin, (b) incubating the combination for a period of about 1 minute to about 6 hours at a temperature of about 4° to 45° C., (c) adding a macromolecular substrate for β-galactosidase to the combination, and (d) determining ferritin in the serum from the modulation of β-galactosidase activity which occurs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
100 words
An immunoassay method for the determination of ferritin in serum, which comprises: (a) combining the serum in an aqueous zone with inactive but antigenic β-galactosidase in an amount of about 1 to 100 micrograms per ml of serum and with a conjugate comprising β-galactosidase and ferritin and with antibody for ferritin, (b) incubating the combination for a period of about 1 minute to about 6 hours at a temperature of about 4° to 45° C., (c) adding a macromolecular substrate for β-galactosidase to the combination, and (d) determining ferritin in the serum from the modulation of β-galactosidase activity which occurs.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the serum is further contacted with a reducing agent.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the reducing agent is dithioerythritol.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
57 words
A kit for an enzyme immunoassay for the determination of ferritin in serum which comprises, in a packaged combination: a first composition comprising a ferritin/β-galactosidase conjugate, a second composition comprising an antibody for ferritin, and a third composition comprising substrate for β-galactosidase, and inactive but antigenic β-galactosidase in at least one of said first and second compositions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
57 words
A kit for an enzyme immunoassay for the determination of ferritin in serum which comprises, in a packaged combination: a first composition comprising a ferritin/β-galactosidase conjugate, a second composition comprising an antibody for ferritin, and a third composition comprising substrate for β-galactosidase, and inactive but antigenic β-galactosidase in at least one of said first and second compositions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The kit of claim 22 wherein said third composition further comprises an antibody for the antibody for ferritin.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The kit of claim 22 wherein said first or second composition further comprises a reducing agent.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
11 words
The kit of claim 22 wherein the reducing agent is dithioerythritol.