US 6,245,296 B1 · Flow immunosensor apparatus

Abstract

Target moiety is detected by (a) providing an antibody specific to the target, (b) saturating the binding sites of the antibody with a labelled form of the target, (c) flowing a liquid containing the target past the saturated antibody, thereby (d) allowing the target to displace the labelled antigen, and (e) detecting the displaced labelled antigen with a detector for the label. This assay is performed by a flow immunosensor comprising: a liquid flowing through the immunosensor for moving a sample through the immunosensor; a sample receiver for introducing the sample to the liquid stream; a flow controller for moving the liquid stream through the immunosensor; an exchanger connected to the sample receiving area in which the sample is brought in contact with labelled antigens of the target and where any target present is allowed to displace the labelled antigen; a detection apparatus connected to the exchanger for detecting any labelled antigen which is released; and a disposal means connected to the detection apparatus for disposing of or collecting of waste coming from the detection apparatus.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A flow immunosensor for performing a real-time analysis of a sample which is to be analyzed and which is not yet present, said flow immunosensor consisting essentially of;

an exchanger including:
a chamber having an inlet port for sample introduction and an outlet port,
a support medium, comprising a bed having a volume of 0.1 to 0.5 ml, in the chamber,
an antibody immobilized on the medium wherein the antibody recognizes with specificity and sensitivity a target,
a labelled antigen complexed to said immobilized antibody and capable of being displaced by the target, said labelled antigen saturating the antigen-binding sites of said antibody;
a detection apparatus connected to the exchanger via the outlet port;
and
a flow means adapted for flowing liquid through the bed at a rate of 0.1 to 2.0 ml/min, thereby providing a target molecule in said sample insufficient time in the vicinity of said antigen-binding site and said labelled antigen for equilibration.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flow immunosensor apparatus

Life of this patent

Flow immunosensor apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17