Element, structure and method for the analysis or transport of liquids

A particulate structure for the analysis or transport of a liquid comprising:

• (i) a plurality of heat-stable, organo-polymeric particles non-swellable in and impermeable to said liquid, said particles having a particle size of from about 1 to 200 microns, and
• (ii) an adhesive, in an amount of from about 1 to less than 10 percent by weight of said particles, comprising an organic polymer different from that of said particles and insoluble in said liquid;
• substantially all of said adhesive being concentrated on surface areas of adjacent particles where said adjacent particles are in closest proximity, and bonding said particles into a coherent, three-dimensional lattice which is non-swellable in said liquid and which has interconnected void spaces among said particles to provide transport of said liquid, said lattice having a void volume of from about 25 to 80 percent;
• said particles comprising an addition polymer of an addition polymerizable blend of monomers, the total monomer content of said blend comprising at least one of the following monomers, each of said monomers when present being in the proportions indicated:
• (a) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, amino-substituent-free styrene monomer;
• (b) up to about 25 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylic ester;
• (c) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable methacrylic ester;
• (d) up to about 30 weight percent of a carboxylic acid containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (e) up to about 75 weight percent of a nitrile containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (f) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable amine-substituted styrene monomer;
• (g) up to about 20 weight percent of an addition polymerizable monomer containing a crosslinkable group;
• (h) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable tertiary aminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate;
• (i) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, N-heterocyclic vinyl monomer;
• (j) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylamide or methacrylamide monomer;
• and
• (k) up to about 20 weight percent of a cross-linking monomer containing at least two addition polymerizable groups.

A multi-zone element for the analysis of a liquid, said element comprising, in fluid contact, a zone having a particulate structure and a reagent zone containing one or more components of an interactive composition for said analysis, said particulate structure comprising:

• (i) a plurality of heat-stable, organo-polymeric particles non-swellable in and impermeable to water, said particles having a particle size of from about 1 to 200 microns, and
• (ii) an adhesive, in an amount less than 10 percent by weight of said particles, comprising an organic polymer different from that of said particles and insoluble in water;
• substantially all of said adhesive being concentrated on surface areas of adjacent particles where said adjacent particles are in closest proximity, and bonding said particles into a coherent, three-dimensional lattice which is non-swellable in water and which has interconnected void spaces among said particles to provide transport of said liquid, said lattice having a void volume of from about 25 to 80 percent;
• said particles comprising an addition polymer of an addition polymerizable blend of monomers, the total monomer content of said blend comprising at least one of the following monomers, each of said monomers when present being in the proportions indicated:
• (a) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, amino-substituent-free styrene monomer;
• (b) up to about 25 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylic ester;
• (c) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable methacrylic ester;
• (d) up to about 30 weight percent of a carboxylic acid containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (e) up to about 75 weight percent of a nitrile containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (f) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable amine-substituted styrene monomer;
• (g) up to about 20 weight percent of an addition polymerizable monomer containing a crosslinkable group;
• (h) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable tertiary aminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate;
• (i) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, N-heterocyclic vinyl monomer;
• (j) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylamide or methacrylamide monomer;
• and
• (k) up to about 20 weight percent of a cross-linking monomer containing at least two addition polymerizable groups.

An element for the analysis or transport of an aqueous liquid, said element comprising a support bearing a particulate structure comprising:

• (i) a plurality of heat-stable, organo-polymeric particles non-swellable in and impermeable to said liquid, said particles having a particle size of from about 1 to 200 microns, and
• (ii) an adhesive, in an amount of from about 1 to less than 10 percent by weight of said particles, comprising an organic polymer different from that of said particles and insoluble in said liquid;
• substantially all of said adhesive being concentrated on surface areas of adjacent particles where said adjacent particles are in closest proximity, and bonding said particles into a coherent, three-dimensional lattice which is non-swellable in said liquid and which has interconnected void spaces among said particles to provide transport of said liquid, said lattice having a void volume of from about 25 to 80 percent;
• said particles comprising an addition polymer of an addition polymerizable blend of monomers, the total monomer content of said blend comprising at least one of the following monomers, each of said monomers when present being in the proportions indicated:
• (a) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, amino-substituent-free styrene monomer;
• (b) up to about 25 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylic ester;
• (c) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable methacrylic ester;
• (d) up to about 30 weight percent of a carboxylic acid containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (e) up to about 75 weight percent of a nitrile containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (f) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable amine-substituted styrene monomer;
• (g) up to about 20 weight percent of an addition polymerizable monomer containing a crosslinkable group;
• (h) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable tertiary aminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate;
• (i) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, N-heterocyclic vinyl monomer;
• (j) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylamide or methacrylamide monomer;
• and
• (k) up to about 20 weight percent of a cross-linking monomer containing at least two addition polymerizable groups.

An element for the analysis or transport of an aqueous liquid, said element comprising a support bearing a particulate structure comprising:

• (i) a plurality of heat-stable, organo-polymeric particles non-swellable in and impermeable to said liquid, said particles having a particle size of from 2 to 200 microns, and
• (ii) an adhesive, in an amount of from about 1 to less than 5 percent by weight of said particles, comprising an organic polymer different from that of said particles and insoluble in said liquid;
• substantially all of said adhesive being concentrated on surface areas of adjacent particles where said adjacent particles are in cosest proximity, and bonding said particles into a coherent, three-dimensional lattice which is non-swellable in said liquid and which has interconnected void spaces among said particles to provide transport of said liquid, said lattice having a void volume of from about 25 to 80 percent;
• said particles comprising an addition copolymer of an addition polymerizable blend of two or more different monomers, the total monomer content of said blend comprising at least one of the following monomers, each of said monomers when present being in the proportions indicated:
• (a) up to 99 weight percent of a polymerizable, amino-substituent-free styrene monomer;
• (b) up to about 25 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylic ester;
• (c) up to 75 weight percent of a polymerizable methacrylic ester;
• (d) up to about 30 weight percent of a carboxylic acid containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (e) up to about 75 weight percent of a nitrile containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (f) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable amine-substituted styrene monomer;
• (g1) up to about 10 weight percent of an addition polymerizable monomer containing a group crosslinkable by a gelatin hardener;
• (g2) up to about 10 weight percent of an addition polymerizable monomer containing a group crosslinkable by a diamine;
• (h) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable tertiary aminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate;
• (i) up to 75 weight percent of a polymerizable, N-heterocyclic vinyl monomer;
• (j) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylamide or methacrylamide monomer;
• and
• (k) up to about 20 weight percent of a cross-linking monomer containing at least two addition polymerizable groups.

A multilayer element for the analysis or transport of an aqueous liquid, said element containing two or more superposed layers in fluid contact, at least two of said layers having a particulate structure comprising:

• (i) a plurality of heat-stable, organo-polymeric particles non-swellable in and impermeable to said liquid, said particles having a particle size of from about 1 to 200 microns, and
• (ii) an adhesive, in an amount of from about 1 to less than 10 percent by weight of said particles, comprising an organic polymer different from that of said particles and insoluble in said liquid;
• substantially all of said adhesive being concentrated on surface areas of adjacent particles where said adjacent particles are in closest proximity, and bonding said particles into a coherent, three-dimensional lattice which is non-swellable in said liquid and which has interconnected void spaces among said particles to provide transport of said liquid, said lattice having a void volume of from about 25 to 80 percent;
• said particles comprising an addition polymer of an addition polymerizable blend of monomers, the total monomer content of said blend comprising at least one of the following monomers, each of said monomers when present being in the proportions indicated:
• (a) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, amino-substituent-free styrene monomer;
• (b) up to about 25 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylic ester;
• (c) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable methacrylic ester;
• (d) up to about 30 weight percent of a carboxylic acid containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (e) up to about 75 weight percent of a nitrile containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (f) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable amine-substituted styrene monomer;
• (g) up to about 20 weight percent of an addition polymerizable monomer containing a crosslinkable group;
• (h) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable tertiary aminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate;
• (i) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, N-heterocyclic vinyl monomer;
• (j) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylamide or methacrylamide monomer;
• and
• (k) up to about 20 weight percent of a cross-linking monomer containing at least two addition polymerizable groups.

A multilayer element for the analysis of an aqueous liquid, said element having a radiation-transmissive support bearing at least one superposed reagent layer permeable to said liquid, said reagent layer containing one or more components of an interactive composition for said analysis, and in fluid contact with and superposed over said reagent layer at least one layer having a particulate structure comprising:

• (i) a plurality of heat-stable, organo-polymeric particles nonswellable in and impermeable to said liquid, said particles having a particle size of from about 1 to 200 microns, and
• (ii) an adhesive, in an amount of from about 1 to less than 10 percent by weight of said particles, comprising an organic polymer different from that of said particles and insoluble in said liquid;
• substantially all of said adhesive being concentrated on surface areas of adjacent particles where said adjacent particles are in closest proximity, and bonding said particles into a coherent, three-dimensional lattice which is non-swellable in said liquid and which has interconnected void spaces among said particles to provide transport of said liquid, said lattice having a void volume of from about 25 to 80 percent;
• said particles comprising an addition polymer of an addition polymerizable blend of monomers, the total monomer content of said blend comprising at least one of the following monomers, each of said monomers when present being in the proportions indicated:
• (a) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, amino-substituent-free styrene monomer;
• (b) up to about 25 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylic ester;
• (c) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable methacrylic ester;
• (d) up to about 30 weight percent of a carboxylic acid containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (e) up to about 75 weight percent of a nitrile containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (f) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable amine-substituted styrene monomer;
• (g) up to about 20 weight percent of an addition polymerizable monomer containing a crosslinkable group;
• (h) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable tertiary aminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate;
• (i) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, N-heterocyclic vinyl monomer;
• (j) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylamide or methacrylamide monomer;
• and
• (k) up to about 20 weight percent of a cross-linking monomer containing at least two addition polymerizable groups.

A multilayer element for the analysis of an antigen contained in an aqueous liquid, said element having a radiation-transmissive support bearing two or more superposed layers in fluid contact, at least two of said layers having a particulate structure, the layer with said particulate structure furthest removed from said support containing immobilized immunoreagent, said particulate structure comprising:

• (i) a plurality of heat-stable, organo-polymeric particles nonswellable in and impermeable to said liquid, said particles having a particle size of from about 1 to 200 microns, and
• (ii) an adhesive, in an amount of from about 1 to less than 10 percent by weight of said particles, comprising an organic polymer different from that of said particles and insoluble in said liquid;
• substantially all of said adhesive being concentrated on surface areas of adjacent particles where said adjacent particles are in closest proximity, and bonding said particles into a coherent, three-dimensional lattice which is non-swellable in said liquid and which has interconnected void spaces among said particles to provide transport of said liquid, said lattice having a void volume of from about 25 to 80 percent;
• said particles comprising an addition polymer of an addition polymerizable blend of monomers, the total monomer content of said blend comprising at least one of the following monomers, each of said monomers when present being in the proportions indicated:
• (a) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, amino-substituent-free styrene monomer;
• (b) up to about 25 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylic ester;
• (c) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable methacrylic ester;
• (d) up to about 30 weight percent of a carboxylic acid containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (e) up to about 75 weight percent of a nitrile containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (f) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable amine-substituted styrene monomer;
• (g) up to about 20 weight percent of an addition polymerizable monomer containing a crosslinkable group;
• (h) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable tertiary aminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate;
• (i) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, N-heterocyclic vinyl monomer;
• (j) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylamide or methacrylamide monomer;
• and
• (k) up to about 20 weight percent of a cross-linking monomer containing at least two addition polymerizable groups.

A multilayer element for the analysis of an antigen contained in an aqueous liquid, said element having a radiation-transmissive support bearing two or more superposed layers in fluid contact, at least two of said layers having a particulate structure, the layer with said particulate structure furthest removed from said support containing immobilized antibody, said particulate structure comprising:

• (i) a plurality of heat-stable, organo-polymeric particles non-swellable in an impermeable to said liquid, said particles having a particle size of from about 2 to 20 microns, and
• (ii) an adhesive, in an amount of from about 1 to less than 5 percent by weight of said particles, comprising an organic polymer different from that of said particles and insoluble in said liquid;
• substantially all of said adhesive being concentrated on surface areas of adjacent particles where said adjacent particles are in closest proximity, and bonding said particles into a coherent, three-dimensional lattice which is non-swellable in said liquid and which has interconnected void spaces among said particles to provide transport of said liquid, said lattice having a void volume of from about 25 to 80 percent;
• said particles comprising an addition polymer of an addition polymerizable blend of monomers, the total monomer content said blend comprising at least one of the following monomers, each of said monomers when present being in the proportions indicated:
• (a) up to 99 weight percent of a polymerizable, amino-substituent-free styrene monomer;
• (b) up to about 25 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylic ester;
• (c) up to 75 weight percent of a polymerizable methylacrylic ester;
• (d) up to about 30 weight percent of a carboxylic acid containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (e) up to about 75 weight percent of a nitrile containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (f) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable amine-substituted styrene monomer;
• (g1) up to about 10 weight percent of an addition polymerizable monomer containing a group crosslinkable by a gelatin hardener;
• (g2) up to about 10 weight percent of an addition polymerizable monomer containing a group crosslinkable by a diamine;
• (h) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable tertiary aminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate;
• (i) up to 75 weight percent of a polymerizable, N-heterocyclic vinyl monomer;
• (j) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylamide or methacrylamide monomer;
• and
• (k) up to about 20 weight percent of a cross-linking monomer containing at least two addition polymerizable groups.

A multilayer element for the analysis of an antigen contained in an aqueous liquid, said element having a radiation-transmissive support having a monolayer of antibody adsorbed thereto and superposed over said monolayer a particulate structure comprising:

• (i) a plurality of heat-stable, organo-polymeric particles non-swellable in and impermeable to said liquid, said particles having a particule size of from about 1 to 200 microns, and
• (ii) an adhesive, in an amount of from about 1 to less than 10 percent by weight of said particles, comprising an organic polymer different from that of said particles and insoluble in said liquid;
• substantially all of said adhesive being concentrated on surface areas of adjacent particles where said adjacent particles are in closest proximity, and bonding said particles into a coherent, three-dimensional lattice which is non-swellable in said liquid and which has interconnected void spaces among said particles to provide transport of said liquid, said lattice having a void volume of from about 25 to 80 percent;
• said particles comprising an addition polymer of an addition polymerizable blend of monomers, the total monomer of said blend comprising at least one of the following monomers, each of said monomers when present being in the proportions indicated:
• (a) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, amino-substituent-free styrene monomer;
• (b) up to about 25 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylic ester;
• (c) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable methacrylic ester;
• (d) up to about 30 weight percent of a carboxylic acid containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (e) up to about 75 weight percent of a nitrile containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (f) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable amine-substituted styrene monomer;
• (g) up to about 20 weight percent of an addition polymerizable monomer containing a crosslinkable group;
• (h) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable tertiary aminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate;
• (i) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, N-heterocyclic vinyl monomer;
• (j) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylamide or methacrylamide monomer;
• and
• (k) up to about 20 weight percent of a crosslinking monomer containing at least two addition polymerizable groups.

A multilayer element for the analysis of an antigen contained in an aqueous liquid, said element having a radiation-transmissive support bearing a scintillation layer and superposed thereover a particulate structure containing immobilized antibody, said particulate structure comprising:

• (i) a plurality of heat-stable, organo-polymeric particles non-swellable in and impermeable to said liquid, said particles having a particle size of from about 1 to 200 microns, and
• (ii) an adhesive, in an amount of from about 1 to less than 10 percent by weight of said particles, comprising an organic polymer different from that of said particles and insoluble in said liquid;
• substantially all of said adhesive being concentrated on surface areas of adjacent particles where said adjacent particles are in closest proximity, and bonding said particles into a coherent, three-dimensional lattice which is non-swellable in said liquid and which has interconnected void spaces among said particles to provide transport of said liquid, said lattice having a void volumn of from about 25 to 80 percent;
• said particles comprising an addition polymer of an addition polymerizable blend of monomers, the total monomer content of said blend comprising at least one of the following monomers, each of said monomers when present being in the proportions indicated:
• (a) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, amino-substituent-free styrene monomer;
• (b) up to about 25 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylic ester;
• (c) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable methacrylic ester;
• (d) up to about 30 weight percent of a carboxylic acid containing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (e) up to about 75 weight percent of a nitrile containing one of more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups;
• (f) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable amine-substituted styrene monomer;
• (g) up to about 20 weight percent of an addition polymerizable monomer containing a crosslinkable group;
• (h) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable tertiary aminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate;
• (i) up to 100 weight percent of a polymerizable, N-heterocyclic vinyl monomer;
• (j) up to about 20 weight percent of a polymerizable acrylamide or methacrylamide monomer;
• and
• (k) up to about 20 weight percent of a cross-linking monomer containing at least two addition polymerizable groups.

A multilayer element for the analysis of an antigen contained in an aqueous liquid, said element generating an enzyme-induced detectable change corresponding to the presence and/or concentration of said antigen by interaction of said antigen, a separate quantity of the same antigen labelled with said enzyme, and antibody for said antigen;

• said element having a radiation-transmissive support bearing two or more superposed layers in fluid contact including a reagent layer comprising at least a portion of an interactive enzyme assay composition which produces said enzyme-induced detectable change and superposed over said reagent layer a layer having a particulate structure containing immobilized antibody, said particulate structure comprising:
• (i) a plurality of heat-stable, organo-polymeric particles non-swellable in and impermeable to said liquid, said particles having a particle size of from about 1 to 200 microns, and
• (ii) an adhesive, in an amount less than 10 percent by weight of said particles, comprising an organic polymer different from that of said particles and insoluble in said liquid;
• substantially all of said adhesive being concentrated on surface areas of adjacent particles where said adjacent particles are in closest proximity, and bonding said particles into a coherent, three-dimensional lattice which is non-swellable in said liquid and which has interconnected void spaces among said particles to provide transport of said liquid, said lattice having a void volume of from about 25 to 80 percent.