Magnetic bead agglomerator for automated ELISA process

An automated computer controlled reporter device for conducting immunoassay and molecular biology procedures, comprising:

• A first reservoir containing recognition molecule coated magnetic beads;
• a second reservoir containing a sample solution;
• a containing region, said containing region having walls of non-magnetic material, an upper end containing an entrance and an axis extending through said upper end;
• an electromagnet winding for producing a magnetic field along said axis of said containing region when said winding is energized with electric current, said winding containing multiple turns wound about the walls and axis of said containing region;
• first means for introducing said coated magnetic beads from said first reservoir into said containing region through said entrance;
• power supply means for supplying current to said electromagnet winding following introduction of said coated magnetic beads within said containing region to agglomerate said coated magnetic beads into a porous mass;
• and
• second means for introducing said sample solution through said entrance and onto said porous mass when said electromagnet winding is being supplied with current, wherein said sample solution passes through said porous mass.

The method of linking molecules of a sample of bioagent, protein or nucleic acid to coated magnetic beads, said coated magnetic beads being individually coated with a recognition molecule for the molecules of the respective bioagent, protein or nucleic acid of said sample, comprising the steps of:

• depositing said molecules of said sample within a liquid to form a sample solution, said liquid being non-reactive to said molecules of said sample and to said coated magnetic beads;
• depositing said coated magnetic beads in a liquid to form a magnetic bead solution, said liquid being non-reactive to said molecules of said sample and to said coated magnetic beads;
• temporarily agglomerating said coated magnetic beads to form a porous mass of coated magnetic beads suspended in liquid;
• and
• flowing said sample solution into said porous mass of coated magnetic beads.

Apparatus for conducting an electrochemical enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (“ELISA”) for a bioagent, protein or nucleic acid comprising:

• a plurality of reservoirs, said plurality of reservoirs including:
• a first reservoir for holding recognition molecule coated magnetic beads in liquid, said recognition molecule having the capability of recognizing and linking to said respective bioagent, protein or nucleic acid;
• a second reservoir for holding a wash solution;
• a third reservoir for holding a recognition molecule linked enzyme, said recognition molecule of said recognition linked enzyme having the capability of recognizing and linking to said respective bioagent, protein or nucleic acid;
• a fourth reservoir for holding a sample solution containing said respective bioagent, protein or nucleic agent;
• and
• a fifth reservoir for holding a substrate reporter;
• a reaction chamber;
• an examination cell;
• an electromagnet winding for producing a magnetic field along the axis of said reaction chamber when said winding is energized, said winding including multiple turns formed in a helix about the axis of said reaction chamber;
• an electronic controller, said electronic controller including:
• a program, said program including an ELISA program and an analysis program;
• a start switch;
• and a display;
• a sensor for electrically detecting the level of reporter present in said examination cell and supplying said detected level of reporter to said electronic controller;
• a first valve controlled by said controller for introducing said recognition molecule coated magnetic beads in liquid from said first reservoir into said reaction chamber when required by said ELISA program;
• power supply means controlled by said controller for supplying current to said electromagnet winding when required by said ELISA program following introduction of said recognition molecule coated magnetic beads into said reaction chamber, wherein said winding is energized to agglomerate said recognition molecule coated magnetic beads into a porous mass;
• and
• a second valve controlled by said controller for introducing said sample solution from said fourth reservoir onto said porous mass when required by said ELISA program during the period when said electromagnet winding is being supplied with current to flow said sample solution through said porous mass;
• wherein said electronic controller when selectively required by said ELISA program further motivates passage of the respective contents of each of said second and third reservoirs into said reaction chamber, passage of the contents of said reaction chamber into said examination cell, passage of the contents of said fifth reservoir into said examination cell and removal of the contents of said examination cell in whole and/or in part;
• whereby passage of the contents of said fifth reservoir into said examination cell when said respective bioagent, protein or nucleic acid is present in said examination cell produces an electrochemical reaction inside said examination cell to produce levels of reporter that increases over time;
• wherein said sensor detects said levels of said reporter and reports those levels to said controller;
• and
• wherein said analysis program analyzes the detected level of reporter at each of said plurality of time intervals reported to said controller, determines the concentration of the respective bioagent, protein or nucleic acid present in said sample and initiates display of said concentration on said display.