Continuous flow apparatus for biological testing
AssigneeAkzona Incorporated
InventorNancy Ann Posch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A test apparatus for conducting diagnostic tests on body fluids, said apparatus having (1) a reaction vessel containing immunochemical test reagents supported as on beads and (2) a washing means cooperating with the reaction vessel, said washing means supplying washing fluid for the reaction vessel. The washing means also comprises a vacuum conduit for aspirating the washing fluid out of the reaction vessel. The apparatus is applicable to hepatitis testing.
Claims15
Test apparatus for the performance of solid supported immunochemical reactions in diagnostic tests on samples of blood, serum, urine, and other liquids comprising:
- a reaction vessel having an open end and a closed end, which vessel (1) is fitted with a fluid permeable grid member above the closed end defining a reaction chamber between the grid and the closed end to form a reaction zone and (2) has one or more geometrical solids within said chamber with immunochemical test reagents supported thereon, said chamber adapted to receive a washing apparatus, and (3) is adapted to receive the washing apparatus in vacuum sealing engagement;
- and
- a washing apparatus having a longitudinal axis and adapted for insertion (a) into the reaction vessel through the open end thereof to form a vacuum seal therewith, and (b) into the reaction chamber, comprising (1) a container to receive fluid, said container adapted to communicate with a source of fluid located externally to the reaction vessel, said container being fitted with a plurality of ports in a band, each port equidistant from another for continuously ejecting fluid from the container into the reaction vessel, and for washing the reaction vessel and the geometrical solids therein, and (2) an elongated vacuum conduit passing through the container in parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, said conduit having a first vent adapted to communicate with a vacuum source and a second vent communicating with the interior of the reaction chamber to capture and remove fluid as said fluid is released from the container.
A method for washing samples of blood, urine, and other body fluids out of a reaction vessel containing said fluids during the performance of solid phase immunological reactions in diagnostic tests comprising the steps of:
- a. depositing said fluids into a reaction vessel having an open end and a closed end, which vessel (1) is fitted with a fluid permeable grid members above the closed end defining a reaction chamber between the grid and the closed end to form a reaction zone and (2) has one or more geometrical solids within said chamber with immunochemical test reagents supported thereon, said chamber adapted to receive a washing apparatus, and (3) is adapted to receive the washing apparatus in vacuum sealing engagement;
- b. inserting a washing apparatus into said vessel to mate in vacuum-tight engagement with said vessel, said washing apparatus having (1) a longitudinal axis and fitted with a container to receive fluid, said container in communication with a source of fluid located externally to the container, said container being fitted with a plurality of ports in a band, each port equidistant from another for continuously ejecting fluid from the container into the reaction vessel and for washing the reaction vessel and the geometrical solids therein, and (2) an elongated vacuum conduit passing through the container in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the container, said conduit having a first vent adapted to communicate with a vacuum source and a second vent communicating with the interior of the reaction chamber;
- and
- c. drawing through the vacuum conduit of the washing apparatus thereby ejecting fluid from the container into the reaction vessel and simultaneously capturing and removing said fluid through the vacuum conduit out of the reaction vessel.
A reaction vessel for diagnostic tests involving immmunochemical reactions with solid-supported reagents to detect antigens, antibodies and other etiological agents in samples of blood, serum, urine, and other liquids, having an open end, and a closed end, which vessel (1) is fitted with a fluid permeable grid member above the closed end defining a reaction chamber between the grid and the closed end to form a reaction zone and adapted to receive a washing apparatus and (2) has one or more geometrical solids within said chamber with test reagents supported on said solids.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.