Affinity binding-based system for detecting particulates in a fluid

A centripetally-motivated apparatus for detecting a particulate in a fluid, the apparatus comprising in combination

• a platform, comprising a substrate having a first flat, planar surface and a second flat, planar surface opposite thereto, and an axis of rotation, wherein the first surface defines a detection chamber comprising an area that is coated with a specific binding reagent that specifically binds to the particulate to be detected, and further comprises a multiplicity of microchannels embedded within the first planar surface and a sample input means, wherein the detection chamber, the sample input means and the microchannels are connected and in fluid communication, and wherein the platform further comprises
• a wash buffer reservoir containing a wash buffer in fluid communication with the detection chamber;
• and
• a fluid waste receptacle in fluid communication with the detection chamber wherein the wash buffer reservoir and the sample input means are positioned on the first surface of the platform to be closer to the axis of rotation than is the detection chamber, and wherein the fluid waste receptacle is positioned on the surface of the platform to be farther from the axis of rotation than the detection chamber;
• the apparatus comprising the platform in combination with
• a device, comprising a base, a rotating means, a power supply and user interface and operations controlling means, wherein the rotating means is operatively linked to the platform and in rotational contact therewith
• wherein a fluid sample comprising a particulate is moved from the sample input means to the detection chamber by centripetal force arising from rotational motion of the platform for a time and a rotational velocity sufficient to move the fluid through the microchannels, and is incubated thereon for a time sufficient to result in specific binding between the particulate in the fluid sample and the specific binding reagent;
• and
• wherein the fluid sample is replaced with the wash buffer and displaced into the fluid waste receptacle by centripetal force arising from rotational motion of the platform for a time and a rotational velocity sufficient to move the fluid through the microchannels;
• and
• wherein the wash buffer is further displaced into the fluid waste receptacle by centripetal force arising from rotational motion of the platform for a time and a rotational velocity sufficient to move the fluid through the microchannels;
• and
• wherein a particulate specifically bound to the detection chamber is detected thereupon.