Apparatus, compositions and methods for rapid competitive homogeneous assay
AssigneeEveia Medical, Inc.
InventorsSteven Patrick Tyrrell, Barry Vant-Hull
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments herein concern systems, methods, compositions and apparatus for detection and/or determination of the presence and/or concentration of target molecules in a sample. In certain embodiments, target molecules can be separated and analyzed using non-gel electrophoresis technologies.
Claims31
A composition for separation of target molecules in a sample comprising:
- two or more phases positioned vertically increasing in density or increasing in viscosity from top to bottom wherein one or more of the two or more phases contains one or more essentially uncharged polymer agents wherein the essentially uncharged polymer agents are capable of associating with a binding agent electrophoresed through the one or more essentially uncharged polymer agent containing phases and wherein the essentially uncharged polymer agents are capable of associating with a capture molecule.
A method for determining a target molecule in a sample comprising:
- obtaining a first sample that may contain a target molecule;
- exposing the first sample to a binding agent wherein the binding agent is capable of binding to the target molecule to form a target molecule-binding agent complex;
- mixing the target molecule-binding agent complex with unbound target molecule to make a mixture;
- subjecting the mixture to a vertical stacked electrophoresis matrix wherein the matrix consists of two or more phases increasing in density or increasing in viscosity from top to bottom, and one or more phases of the matrix have an uncharged polymer (p) capable of associating with a binding agent electrophoresed through the polymer containing phase(s);
- and
- detecting the presence of the target molecule-binding agent complex.
An apparatus for detecting a target molecule, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a vertically arranged vessel with a hydrodynamic radius of at least 0.5 mm;
- b) a gradient of increasing density from 1.0 to 1.1 g/ml within the vessel, the gradient comprising a sample layer of density 1.0 to 1.02 g/ml, a capture layer of density from 1.002 to 1.05 g/ml and a stacking layer of density from 1.01 to 1.1 g/ml
- wherein the stacking layer has a higher density than the capture layer, and the capture layer has a higher density than the sample layer.
A computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out a method comprising:
- receiving first data representing emission of a band, wherein the band comprises a traceable agent-target molecule complex in a sample;
- receiving second data representing a level of an unbound target molecule;
- and
- comparing the first data to the second data to assess the presence of the target molecule in the sample.
A kit comprising:
- an apparatus comprising at least three layers of increasing density or increasing viscosity;
- and
- an essentially uncharged polymer associated with at least one of the layers.
The kit of claim 31, further comprising at least one positive control sample of a target molecule of interest.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.