Affinity binding-based system for detecting particulates in a fluid
AssigneeTecan Trading AG
InventorsNorman F. Sheppard, Jr., Alec Mian, Gregory Kellogg, Stephen G. Kieffer-Higgins, Bruce L. Carvalho
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Abstract
This invention provides methods an apparatus for detecting and quantifying particulate matter suspended in a fluid. Specifically, the invention provides an integrated, affinity-binding based, analytical system comprising a platform for performing an affinity-binding based assay for specifically binding particulates including microbial cells, and a detection means for detecting the particulates specifically bound to a defined surface or chamber comprising the platform. Methods for using the analytical systems of the invention are also provided.
Claims39
An apparatus for detecting a cell in a fluid, the apparatus comprising
- a platform comprising a substrate having a surface, wherein said surface defines a cell accumulation chamber wherein a defined amount of a fluid comprising a cell is retained in the area for a time sufficient to permit the cell to accumulate in the area;
- a fluid sample input means in fluid communication with the cell accumulation chamber;
- an overflow reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid sample input means;
- a wash buffer reservoir containing a wash buffer in fluid communication with the cell accumulation chamber;
- a fluid waste receptacle in fluid communication with the cell accumulation chamber;
- wherein an amount of a fluid sample comprising a cell is moved from the fluid sample input means to the cell accumulation chamber of the platform and incubated thereon for a time sufficient to permit the cell to accumulate in the area;
- and
- wherein the fluid sample is replaced with the wash buffer and displaced into the fluid waste receptacle;
- and
- wherein the wash buffer is further displaced into the fluid waste receptacle;
- and
- wherein a cell in the cell accumulation chamber is detected thereupon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.