Microscale diffusion immunoassay in hydrogels
OwnerAnson Hatch, Paul Yagerinventors
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Abstract
A diffusion immunoassay (DIA) for determining the presence and concentration of analyte particles by detecting the diffusion front. A hydrogel containing immobilized binding particles is placed in contact with a carrier fluid containing analyte particles, which analyte particles diffuse into the hydrogel and bind with the immobilized binding particles. A detection device detects the position of the diffusion front formed in the hydrogel to determine the presence and concentration of the analyte particles which have diffused into the hydrogel.
Claims15
A method for detecting the presence of analyte particles contained in a carrier allowing diffusion of said analyte particles, and method comprising the steps of:
- a.) providing binding particles capable of binding with analyte particles;
- b.) substantially immobilizing said binding particles in a hydrogel which permits diffusion of analyte particles;
- c.) placing a carrier containing analyte particles in contact with said hydrogel;
- d.) allowing said analyte particles to diffuse from said carrier into said hydrogel and bind with said binding particles;
- e.) providing a detection device for detecting said binding particles or said analyte particles, or complexes thereof, or a diffusion front created by any of said particles;
- and f.) detecting the position of any of said particles or diffusion front as an indication of the presence of said analyte particles.
A microscale device for determining the presence or concentration of sample analyte particles, said device comprising:
- a first section containing a carrier fluid containing analyte particles,
- a second section containing a hydrogel in contact with said carrier fluid containing binding particles immobilized within said hydrogel which are capable of binding with analyte particles;
- and a detection device for detecting a diffusion front formed by said analyte particles which have diffused into said hydrogel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.