Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
An article of manufacture for processing test liquids having analytes comprising a closed, one piece container having an access port, the container being shaped to have a bulbous portion and an elongated passageway providing a path of two way liquid communication between the bulbous portion and the access port, a first porous retainer positioned in the passageway adjacent the bulbous portion and occupying only a portion of the passageway such that the volume of the passageway between the retainer and the access port exceeds that of the test liquids, a plurality of solid support beads, having a capture reagent for use in complexation reactions and affinity separations, immobilized on the surface thereof, disposed in the bulbous portion of the container, the passageway and the bulbous portion each defining volumes, the passageway volume being less than the bulbous portion volume, the porous retainer having pores large enough not to restrict the flow of liquids, cells, microorganisms, cellular fragments or particulates of interest for analysis and small enough to prevent the passage of the beads from the bulbous portion into the passageway, and the bulbous portion of the container being collapsible, whereby test liquids may be passed back and forth through the retainer and about the support beads to achieve improved capture efficiency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
An article of manufacture for processing test liquids having analytes comprising a closed, one piece container having an access port, the container being shaped to have a bulbous portion and an elongated passageway providing a path of two way liquid communication between the bulbous portion and the access port, a first porous retainer positioned in the passageway adjacent the bulbous portion and occupying only a portion of the passageway such that the volume of the passageway between the retainer and the access port exceeds that of the test liquids, a plurality of solid support beads, having a capture reagent for use in complexation reactions and affinity separations, immobilized on the surface thereof, disposed in the bulbous portion of the container, the passageway and the bulbous portion each defining volumes, the passageway volume being less than the bulbous portion volume, the porous retainer having pores large enough not to restrict the flow of liquids, cells, microorganisms, cellular fragments or particulates of interest for analysis and small enough to prevent the passage of the beads from the bulbous portion into the passageway, and the bulbous portion of the container being collapsible, whereby test liquids may be passed back and forth through the retainer and about the support beads to achieve improved capture efficiency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The receptacle set forth in claim 1 wherein the passageway includes a second porous retainer positioned therein, thereby defining a third chamber in the receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
164 words
An article of manufacture for processing test liquids having analytes comprising a closed one piece container having an access port, the container being shaped to have a bulbous portion and an elongated passageway providing a path of two way liquid communication between the bulbous portion and the access port, a first porous retainer positioned in the passageway adjacent the bulbous portion and occupying only a portion of the passageway such that the volume of the passageway between the retainer and the access port exceeds that of the test liquids, a capture reagent immobilized on the retainer, the passageway and the bulbous portion each defining volumes, the passageway volume being less than the bulbous portion volume, the porous retainer having pores large enough not to restrict the flow of fluids, cells, microorganisms, cellular fragments or particulates of interest of analysis, the bulbous portion of the container being collapsible, whereby test liquids may be passed back and forth through the retainer to achieve improved capture efficiency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
164 words
An article of manufacture for processing test liquids having analytes comprising a closed one piece container having an access port, the container being shaped to have a bulbous portion and an elongated passageway providing a path of two way liquid communication between the bulbous portion and the access port, a first porous retainer positioned in the passageway adjacent the bulbous portion and occupying only a portion of the passageway such that the volume of the passageway between the retainer and the access port exceeds that of the test liquids, a capture reagent immobilized on the retainer, the passageway and the bulbous portion each defining volumes, the passageway volume being less than the bulbous portion volume, the porous retainer having pores large enough not to restrict the flow of fluids, cells, microorganisms, cellular fragments or particulates of interest of analysis, the bulbous portion of the container being collapsible, whereby test liquids may be passed back and forth through the retainer to achieve improved capture efficiency.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The article of manufacture set forth in claim 3 wherein the passageway has a second porous retainer having the same characteristics as the first porous retainer disposed in the passageway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article of manufacture set forth in claim 4 wherein the capture reagents disposed on each of the first and second porous retainers are different.