Back to results
US 11,110,459 B2Granted
Assay wells with hydrogel as a well-contents separator
AssigneeFannin Partners, LLC
InventorsDev Chatterjee, Leo Linbeck, III, Michael John Heffernan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a polymer assay cartridge having wells containing reagents, beads and sample, where the wells are covered (e.g., with Parafilm® or films) and shipped to the point of care, the reagents and well contents can leak out. The reagent solutions are made semi-solid by adding hydrogel reagents and cooling to form a gel. Preferably, the hydrogel is heated before an assay is conducted with the cartridge, and pigmented beads in the wells indicate melting or excessive heating, or congealing of the hydrogel, based on pigment color change.
Claims17
An assay device stable for shipment comprising:
- a plurality of wells which are a series of openings connected with first channels in a first surface of the body of the assay device, wherein:
- (i) said wells house assay reagents in solution and the first channels include an air gap to separate fluids in the wells,
- (ii) the wells include a gelatin hydrogel of at least 150 Bloom with a melting temperature above room temperature and a gelling temperature above 10° C., wherein when gelled, the hydrogel interfaces with air in the air gap and prevents movement of all assay reagents from the wells into the air gap, and
- (iii) the wells are sealed using a plastic film covering substantially the first surface.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.