Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A hand-held assembly for the detection and determination of at least one ligand in a sample suspected of containing such ligand, the assembly comprising: a vessel having a first chamber for receiving a sample suspected of containing the ligand, which first chamber includes an admixture of a binding partner for such ligand and a labeled component selected from the group consisting of binding partner, compound which can bind to the binding partner, compound which can bind to the reaction product of the ligand and binding partner, and compound which can bind to the ligand; a second vessel having a second chamber separated from the first chamber by a separation means for permitting the passage therethrough of free labeled component of a relatively small size while preventing the passage therethrough of a complex formed from ligand, binding partner and labeled component of a relatively larger size than the free labeled component, when a pressure differential is created across such separation means; means for creating a pressure differential across the separation means to separate the free labeled component from the complex and collect the free labeled component in the second chamber; and label detecting reagents in the second chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A hand-held assembly for the detection and determination of at least one ligand in a sample suspected of containing such ligand, the assembly comprising: a vessel having a first chamber for receiving a sample suspected of containing the ligand, which first chamber includes an admixture of a binding partner for such ligand and a labeled component selected from the group consisting of binding partner, compound which can bind to the binding partner, compound which can bind to the reaction product of the ligand and binding partner, and compound which can bind to the ligand; a second vessel having a second chamber separated from the first chamber by a separation means for permitting the passage therethrough of free labeled component of a relatively small size while preventing the passage therethrough of a complex formed from ligand, binding partner and labeled component of a relatively larger size than the free labeled component, when a pressure differential is created across such separation means; means for creating a pressure differential across the separation means to separate the free labeled component from the complex and collect the free labeled component in the second chamber; and label detecting reagents in the second chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the admixture of binding partner and labeled component comprises a liquid suspension.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the labeled component comprises a known concentration of a compound which competes with the ligand for binding sites on such binding partner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the labeled component comprises a known concentration of labeled ligand.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the labeled component comprises labeled binding partner for such ligand.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising a macromolecule in the admixture, which macromolecule comprises a compound capable of binding to a compound selected from the group consisting of ligand, binding partner and complex of ligand and binding partner.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising a second labeled component in the admixture, which second labeled component is non-reactive and labeled with the same label as the first labeled component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one additional labeled component in the admixture, which is labeled with a different label than any other labeled component present in the admixture in the first chamber; and at least one additional binding binding partner in such admixture, which such additional binding partner is capable of reacting with a different ligand which can be present in the sample.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the first vessel comprises: a generally cylindrical vessel defining the first chamber and the separation means is positioned within the first chamber; an outlet port on the first vessel in fluid flow communication with the first chamber through such separation means; a needle hub means attached to the outlet port for retaining a needle cannula on the outlet port; a needle cannula attached to the needle hub means; and such second vessel comprises a generally cylindrically vessel defining a second chamber with a reduced pressure therein and a puncturable cover sealing the second chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly as recited in claim 9 further comprising a projecting wall portion on the first vessel, which projecting wall portion extends around the needle hub means and needle cannula and defines a cavity therewithin for receiving the second vessel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the first vessel comprises: a generally cylindrical vessel defining the first chamber therewithin and the second vessel comprises a generally cylindrical vessel removably positioned within the first chamber of the first vessel and wherein the separation means is positioned within the second vessel; and further comprising sealing means on the second vessel for providing a liquid seal between the second vessel and first vessel for preventing liquid from flowing into the annulus created between the first and second vessels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
An assembly as recited in claim 11 further comprising: a frangible bottom wall of the first chamber of the first vessel, which frangible bottom wall is selectively frangible upon a preselected pressure being exerted against such frangible bottom wall; and a third vessel attached to the first vessel, which third vessel defines a third chamber in communication with the first chamber upon fracturing the frangible bottom wall of the first vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An assembly as recited in claim 12 further comprising label detecting reagents in the third chamber of the third vessel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
278 words
A kit for the detection and determination of at least one ligand in a sample suspected of containing such ligand, the kit comprising: a first vessel having a first chamber for receiving a sample suspected of containing the ligand, which first chamber includes an admixture of a binding partner for such ligand and a labeled component selected from the group consisting of binding partner, compound which can bind to the binding partner, compound which can bind to the reaction product of the ligand and binding partner, and compound which can bind to the ligand; a separation means provided in the first vessel for permitting the passage therethrough of free labeled component of a relatively small size while preventing the passage therethrough of a complex formed from ligand, binding partner and labeled component of a relatively larger size than the free labeled component when a pressure differential is created across such separation means; a second vessel having a second chamber having a reduced pressure therein; label detecting reagent in the second chamber of the second vessel; a puncturable top enclosing the second chamber of the second vessel; an outlet port on the first vessel; a needle hub attached to the outlet port of the first vessel; and a needle cannula attached to the needle hub, which needle cannula is capable of piercing the top on the second vessel to expose the separation medium to the reduced pressure in the second vessel and create a pressure differential across the separation means for separating the free labeled component from the complex, which free labeled component flows through the needle cannula and is collected in the second chamber of the second vessel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
278 words
A kit for the detection and determination of at least one ligand in a sample suspected of containing such ligand, the kit comprising: a first vessel having a first chamber for receiving a sample suspected of containing the ligand, which first chamber includes an admixture of a binding partner for such ligand and a labeled component selected from the group consisting of binding partner, compound which can bind to the binding partner, compound which can bind to the reaction product of the ligand and binding partner, and compound which can bind to the ligand; a separation means provided in the first vessel for permitting the passage therethrough of free labeled component of a relatively small size while preventing the passage therethrough of a complex formed from ligand, binding partner and labeled component of a relatively larger size than the free labeled component when a pressure differential is created across such separation means; a second vessel having a second chamber having a reduced pressure therein; label detecting reagent in the second chamber of the second vessel; a puncturable top enclosing the second chamber of the second vessel; an outlet port on the first vessel; a needle hub attached to the outlet port of the first vessel; and a needle cannula attached to the needle hub, which needle cannula is capable of piercing the top on the second vessel to expose the separation medium to the reduced pressure in the second vessel and create a pressure differential across the separation means for separating the free labeled component from the complex, which free labeled component flows through the needle cannula and is collected in the second chamber of the second vessel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
A kit as recited in claim 14 further comprising a third vessel having a third chamber therein with a reduced pressure in the third chamber; a puncturable top on the third vessel sealing the third chamber, which puncturable top is puncturable by the needle cannula on the first vessel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A kit as recited in claim 37 further comprising a label detecting reagent present in the third chamber of the third vessel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A kit as recited in claim 14 further comprising a liquid suspending agent for introducing to the first chamber in the first vessel to provide a liquid suspension of the binding partner and labeled component.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A kit as recited in claim 14 wherein the admixture in the first chamber of the first vessel comprises a liquid suspension of binding partner and labeled component.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
199 words
A kit for the detection and determination of at least one ligand in a sample suspected of containing such ligand, the kit comprising: a first vessel having a first chamber for receiving a sample suspected of containing ligand, which first chamber includes an admixture of a binding partner for such ligand and a label component selected from the group consisting of binding partner, compound which can bind to the binding partner, compound which can bind to the reaction product of the ligand and binding partner, and compound which can bind to the ligand; a second vessel having a second chamber capable of being positioned within the first chamber of the first vessel, which second vessel includes sealing means for sealing the annulus between the second and first vessel to fluid flow; separation means in the second chamber for permitting the passage therethrough of free labeled component of a relatively small size while preventing the passage therethrough of a complex formed from ligand, binding partner, and label component of a relatively larger size than the free labeled component when a pressure differential is created across such separation means; and label detecting reagent in the second chamber of the second vessel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
199 words
A kit for the detection and determination of at least one ligand in a sample suspected of containing such ligand, the kit comprising: a first vessel having a first chamber for receiving a sample suspected of containing ligand, which first chamber includes an admixture of a binding partner for such ligand and a label component selected from the group consisting of binding partner, compound which can bind to the binding partner, compound which can bind to the reaction product of the ligand and binding partner, and compound which can bind to the ligand; a second vessel having a second chamber capable of being positioned within the first chamber of the first vessel, which second vessel includes sealing means for sealing the annulus between the second and first vessel to fluid flow; separation means in the second chamber for permitting the passage therethrough of free labeled component of a relatively small size while preventing the passage therethrough of a complex formed from ligand, binding partner, and label component of a relatively larger size than the free labeled component when a pressure differential is created across such separation means; and label detecting reagent in the second chamber of the second vessel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A kit as recited in claim 19 wherein the admixture comprises a liquid suspension of the binding partner and labeled component.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
A kit as recited in claim 19 further comprising a liquid suspending agent for introducing to the first chamber of the first vessel to provide a liquid suspension of the binding partner and labeled component.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
A kit as recited in claim 19 further comprising a third vessel attachable to the first vessel and separated from the first vessel by a frangible bottom wall on the first vessel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A kit as recited in claim 22 further comprising label detecting reagent present in the third chamber of the third vessel.