Multiple assay card and system

An assay card system adapted for treating and analyzing a sample utilizng multiple assay rods comprising:

• a card having:
• a solid bottom plate having a top surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends;
• a top plate having a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends;
• a middle plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends, said middle plate being sandwiched between said bottom and top plates so that said middle plate top surface is adjacent to said top plate bottom surface and said middle plate bottom surface is adjacent said bottom plate top surface;
• a sample slot in said middle plate adapted to receive and hold an assay rod, said slot extending from said middle plate top surface to said middle plate bottom surface, said slot defining an assay rod chamber located between said top and bottom plates;
• a flexible indentation in said top plate bottom surface extending away from said middle plate which defines a solution chamber between said top plate bottom surface and said middle plate top surface;
• conduit means between said solution chamber and assay rod chamber for providing conduits through which solution can be transferred between said assay rod chamber and said solution chamber;
• and
• means associated with said assay rod chamber for introducing said sample into said assay rod chamber to interact with an assay rod located therein;
• a pressure bar positioned to extend laterally across said top plate, said pressure bar being positioned adjacent to said top plate to deform said flexible indentation toward said middle plate;
• and
• means for moving said pressure bar longitudinally relative said assay card to force solution through said conduit means to transfer solution from said solution chamber to said assay chamber to provide treatment of said assay rod with said solution.

A method for treating and analyzing a sample comprising the steps of:

• providing an assay card comprising:
• a solid bottom plate having a top surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends;
• a top plate having a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends;
• a middle plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end, rear end and sides extending between said front and rear ends, said middle plate being sandwiched between said bottom and top plates so that said middle plate top surface is adjacent to said top plate bottom surface and said middle plate bottom surface is adjacent said bottom plate top surface;
• a sample slot in said middle plate adapted to receive and hold an assay rod, said slot extending from said middle plate top surface to said middle plate bottom surface, said slot defining an assay rod chamber located between said top and bottom plates;
• a flexible indentation in said top plate bottom surface extending away from said middle plate which defines a solution chamber between said top plate bottom surface and said middle plate top surface;
• conduit means between said solution chamber and assay rod chamber for providing conduits through which solution can be transferred between said assay rod chamber and said solution chamber;
• introducing said sample into said assay rod chamber to interact with an assay rod located therein;
• and
• deforming said flexible indentation in said top plate towards said middle plate to force solution through said conduit means to provide transfer of solution to said assay rod chamber by peristaltic action to provide treatment of said assay rod with said solution.

An assay system comprising:

• a card having a longitudinal channel therein defining a reaction zone for housing an assay rod, said channel having an inlet and an outlet, said card further having one or more other longitudinal channels for housing reagent and wash solutions, said reagent and wash channels having an outlet and;
• conduit means for connecting the outlets of the reagent and wash channels to the inlet of the rod housing channel;
• and
• means for selectively transferring said reagent and wash solutions from the reagent and wash channels to the rod channel to provide reagents and wash solutions for reaction with and washing of the assay rod in the rod channel.

A method for treating an assay rod with a plurality of treatment solutions to detect the presence of substances in a sample solution which engage in binding reactions with said assay rod, said method comprising the steps of:

• placing a assay rod in a reaction zone defined by a first channel located within a card, said first channel having an inlet and an outlet;
• introducing sample solution into said reaction zone through said first channel outlet for interaction with said assay rod;
• and
• introducing a treatment solution into said reaction zone through said first channel inlet, said treatment solution being transferred to said first channel inlet from a treatment solution reservoir defined by a second channel located within said card.