US 7,238,519 B2 · Automated immunoassay cassette, apparatus and method

Abstract

An immunoassay cassette, apparatus, and method for detecting an analyte in a liquid body-fluid sample are disclosed. The cassette has a body and a support mounted on the body, for movement relative to the body to first and second transfer positions. Sample supplied to a sample well in the cassette body is transferred to a reagent reservoir on the cassette body, by moving the support to its first transfer position. Here the sample reacts with a first reagent composition in the reservoir effective to form a modified sample. The modified sample is then transferred to a reagent strip on the support by moving the support to its second transfer position. The reagent strip has a transfer zone at which sample material is transferred to the strip, a second reagent composition effective to react with the modified sample to form a detectable analyte-dependent product, and a detection zone located downstream at which the detectable product can be observed. By controlling movement of the support to its first and second positions, the cassette can effectively handle a variety of samples having different flow rates.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An immunoassay cassette for use in detecting an analyte in a liquid body fluid sample, comprising:

(a) a cassette body having a sample well for receiving said sample;
(b) carried on said body, a reservoir containing a first reagent composition effective to react with one or more sample components to form a modified sample,
(c) a support mounted on said body, for movement relative to said cassette body to first and second transfer positions, and
(d) carried on said support, a reagent strip containing a second reagent composition effective to react with the modified sample formed in said reservoir to form a detectable analyte-dependent product,
wherein movement of support relative to the cassette body to its first transfer position is effective to transfer sample liquid placed in the sample well to said reservoir, and movement of the support to its second transfer position is effective to transfer sample liquid in said reservoir to said reagent strip.

2 more elements

An apparatus for use in detecting an analyte in a liquid body-fluid sample, comprising:

A) a cassette having
(a) a cassette body having a sample well for receiving said sample;
(b) carried on said body, a reservoir containing a first reagent composition effective to react with one or more sample components to form a modified sample,
(c) a support mounted on said body, for movement relative to said cassette body, to first and second transfer positions, and
(d) carried on said support, a reagent strip containing a second reagent composition effective to react with the modified sample formed in said reservoir to form a detectable analyte-dependent product, and
(B) a cassette handling instrument having
(a) a cassette holder into which the cassette is removably placed, during a sample assay,
(b) an actuator operable to move the support in the cassette to its first and second transfer positions,
(c) a detector operable to detect an analyte-specific reaction at a detection zone in the reagent strip, and
(d) a control unit operably connected to the actuator, for moving the support in the cassette to its first transfer position, and subsequently to its second position at timed intervals.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automated immunoassay cassette, apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Automated immunoassay cassette, apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16