Multi-layer testing column
OwnerShuqi Cheninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-layer testing column has a chamber having a longitudinal axis and a first end having a first aperture. A plurality of membrane layers are vertically stacked within the chamber and include at least a plurality of solid-phase substrates each carrying a different anti-analyte. A sample can be placed in the chamber such that specific analytes of the sample are bound to the anti-analytes. A sensor can then be used to receive a signal from the substrates and to generate a corresponding electrical signal.
Claims21
A multi-layer column comprising:
- a chamber having a longitudinal axis, a first end including a first aperture through which a fluid sample is introduced into the chamber, a second end including a second aperture through which the fluid sample exits the chamber, and a cross-section generally transverse to the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a plurality of vertically stacked, microporous membrane layers stacked within the chamber, including at least a plurality of solid-phase substrates each carrying a different anti-analyte, each membrane layer being sufficiently porous to allow the fluid sample to flow through the membrane layer and to permit the sample fluid to flow through the plurality of vertically stacked membrane layers, each of the membrane layers being sized to occupy substantially all of the cross-section of the chamber.
A multi-layer column comprising:
- a chamber having a longitudinal axis, a wall that defines the chamber, a first end including a first aperture through which a fluid sample is introduced into the chamber, a second end including a second aperture through which the fluid sample exits the chamber;
- and
- a plurality of vertically stacked, microporous membrane layers stacked within the chamber, including at least a plurality of solid-phase substrates each carrying a different anti-analyte, each membrane layer being sufficiently porous to allow a fluid sample to flow through the membrane layer and to permit the sample fluid to flow through the plurality of vertically stacked membrane layers, at least a plurality of the membrane layers engaging the wall of the chamber to inhibit the fluid sample from passing between the membrane layers and the wall of the chamber.
A method of manufacturing a multi-layer column, comprising:
- stacking a plurality of sheets of solid support, at least some of the sheets being coated with an anti-analyte;
- cutting the plurality of sheets so that each of the sheets is sized to occupy substantially all of a cross-section of a chamber;
- and
- disposing the plurality of sheets in the chamber, whereby each of the sheets occupies substantially all of the cross-section of the chamber.
A method of manufacturing a multi-layer column, comprising:
- stacking a plurality of sheets of solid support, at least some of the sheets being coated with an anti-analyte;
- cutting the plurality of sheets so that each of the sheets is sized to engage a wall of a chamber to inhibit a fluid sample from passing between the sheets and the wall of the chamber;
- and
- disposing the plurality of sheets in the chamber, whereby each of the sheets engages the wall of the chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.