Plunger-based flow immunoassay assembly

Abstract

Assemblies and methods are provided for flowing sample through a flow immunoassay assembly using one or more plungers. The flow immunoassay assembly includes an immunoassay reaction chamber, a sample distribution chamber in fluid communication with the immunoassay reaction chamber, and a sample dispense plunger being movable within the sample distribution chamber to dispense the sample from the sample distribution chamber into the immunoassay reaction chamber. The flow immunoassay assembly can further include a buffer chamber in fluid communication with the immunoassay reaction chamber, and a buffer dispense plunger movable within the buffer chamber to dispense buffer from the buffer chamber into the immunoassay reaction chambers. The flow immunoassay assembly can further include a read cell in fluid communication with the immunoassay reaction chamber for providing a means to measure a reaction within the reaction chamber (which may be a displacement type immunoassay reaction chamber) and a waste chamber in fluid communication with the read cell for storage of hazardous biological fluid. Upper and lower seals can be provided on the buffer chamber for storage of the buffer prior to use, in which case, the buffer dispense plunger can be provided with a stylus that is configured to puncture the upper seal when the buffer dispense plunger is moved toward the upper seal. To automate the immunoassay flow assembly, it can further include a drive assembly mechanically coupled to the sample dispense plunger, and if applicable, the buffer dispense plunger.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.