US 6,597,176 B2 · Method and apparatus for making measurements of patterns of magnetic particles in lateral flow membranes and microfluidic systems

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for quantitatively determining amounts and identities of substances whithin patterns of magnetic particles, such as within lateral flow membranes, microfludic systems, and the like. Magnetic particles are complexed with substances to be determined and are excited in an oscillating magnetic field. The magnetizations of the magnetic particles are thereby caused to oscillate at the excitation frequency to create their own fields. These fields are inductively coupled to at least one sensor such as sensing coils fabricated in a gradiometer configuration. The output signals from the sensing coils are appropriately amplified and processed to provide useful output indications.

Claims6

Dependent claims

An apparatus for quantitative measurement of analyte particles using magnetically susceptible particles, comprising:

a sample holder including:
an inlet for introduction of analyte particles;
a lateral flow membrane through which the analyte particles may flow, the lateral flow membrane including a predefined area containing a plurality of bound magnetically susceptible particles, whereby flowing analyte particles may become bound to the bound magnetically susceptible particles;
a magnetic field source to apply an alternating magnetic field to the samples in the predefined area;
a magnetic field sensor having output signal conductors to communicate output signals;
and
an electronic signal processor to convert the output signals from the sensor to provide a signal indicative of the quantity of the samples in the predefined area.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

09/911,934Filed 23 Jul 2001 · division

Priority

21 Nov 1997

Published

US 2001/0052769 A120 Dec 2001

Granted

22 Jul 2003

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

G01R 33/12
Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables: measuring magnetic properties of articles or specimens of solids or fluids
B82Y 15/00
Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating
B82Y 25/00
Nanomagnetism
G01N 27/745
Of fluids: for detecting magnetic beads used in biochemical assays

Family

Application08/975,569Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 21 Nov 1997

Application09/451,660Parent of this division · filed 30 Nov 1999

US 2001/0052769 A1Pre-grant publication · published 20 Dec 2001

US 6,437,563 B1Parent of this division

Application09/451,660Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 6,046,585 AParent of this continuation-in-part

US 6,597,176 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Method and apparatus for making measurements of patterns of magnetic particles in lateral flow membranes and microfluidic systems

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for making measurements of patterns of magnetic particles in lateral flow membranes and microfluidic systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6