Capture layer assemblies for cellular assays including related optical analysis discs and methods

A method of conducting an assay with an optical disc and disc drive, the method comprising:

• providing a sample of cells on a disc surface in a chamber in a disc, the chamber including capture zone with a capture layer assembly;
• rotating the optical disc;
• directing an incident beam of electromagnetic radiation to the capture zone;
• detecting a beam of electromagnetic radiation formed after interacting with the disc at the capture zone;
• converting the detected beam into an output signal;
• and
• analyzing the output signal to extract therefrom information relating to the number of cells captured at the capture zone.

An optical disc and drive system for receiving a sample, the system comprising:

• a disc including:
• a substrate;
• a cap parallel to the substrate, a chamber defined therebetween and including capture zones;
• a capture layer over the substrate at the capture zones, such that a first capture zone has first cell capture agents and a second capture zone has a second cell capture agents;
• a light source for directing light to the disc at the capture zones;
• a detector for detecting light reflected from or transmitted through the disc at the capture zones and providing a signal;
• and
• a processor for using the signal to count items in the sample bound to the capture molecules.

A method of making an optical assay disc for performing a cluster designation count, said method comprising:

• providing a cross-linker in a tube;
• adding a capture agent to said tube;
• allowing said cross-linker and said capture agent to combine, thereby forming a complex;
• providing a substrate;
• coating said substrate with an active layer;
• depositing said complex onto said active layer;
• and
• attaching a cap portion to said active layer using an adhesive member.

A method of conducting an assay with an optical disc and drive system, said method comprising:

• providing a sample of cells on a disc surface in a chamber in said disc, the chamber including at least one capture zone associated with a capture layer assembly;
• rotating the optical disc;
• directing an incident beam of electromagnetic radiation toward the capture zone;
• detecting the beam of electromagnetic radiation formed after interacting with the disc at the capture zone;
• converting the detected beam into an output signal;
• and
• analyzing the output signal to extract therefrom information relating to the number of cells captured at the capture zone.

A method of performing a cluster designation count with an optical disc and disc drive, the method comprising:

• providing a blood sample in a first tube, the first tube containing a separation gradient;
• rotating the first tube at a time and speed sufficient to separate the blood sample into layers;
• resuspending a MNC layer, the layer containing T-cells, thereby forming a MNC suspension;
• providing a sample of the MNC suspension on an optical disc surface, the surface including at least one capture zone with at least one capture agent;
• loading the optical disc into an optical reader;
• rotating the optical disc;
• directing an incident beam of electromagnetic radiation to a capture zone;
• detecting a beam of electromagnetic radiation formed after interacting with the disc at the capture zone;
• converting the detected beam into an output signal;
• and
• analyzing the output signal to extract therefrom information relating to the number of cells captured at the capture zone.