Detection of allergen-associated materials
AssigneeCranfield University
InventorsJohn Anthony Bolbot, Steven John Setford, Stephen Frederick White
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Abstract
Measurement of the redox properties of household dust is used to detect the presence of allergen-associated materials. Measurement may be electrochemical, preferably amperometric. A disposable electrode assembly may be made by screen printing with conductive (e.g. carbon and Ag/AgCl) inks. An absorbent pad overlying the electrodes can be used to wipe a surface to collect a sample. It may contain electrolyte and buffer components, so that adding water carries sample in an electrolyte/buffer solution to the electrodes.
Claims23
A method for detecting the presence of a redox-active allergen-associated material, comprising:
- (a) obtaining a sample of dust containing a redox-active allergen associated material;
- and
- (b) measuring the redox activity of the sample in an electrochemical device that comprises:
- an electrode assembly,
- an absorbent pad overlying the electrode assembly, and
- an electrolyte solution in contact with both the electrode assembly and the absorbent pad after having applied said sample to said absorbent pad,
- wherein the measurement of redox activity of the allergen-associated material relates directly to the presence of said allergen-associated material in the sample;
- thereby providing data indicative of the presence of the allergen-associated material;
- wherein said method does not employ ligand-binding.
A method of testing en indoor environment for the presence of a redox-active allergen-associated material, comprising:
- (a) collecting a sample of dust from the indoor environment containing a redox-active allergen associated material;
- and
- (b) measuring the redox activity of the sample in an electrochemical device that comprises:
- an electrode assembly,
- an absorbent pad overlying the electrode assembly, and
- an electrolyte solution in contact with both the electrode assembly and the absorbent pad after having applied said dust sample to said absorbent pad,
- wherein the measurement of redox activity of the allergen-associated material relates directly to the presence of said allergen-associated material in the sample;
- thereby providing data indicative of the presence of the allergen-associated material;
- wherein said method does not employ ligand-binding.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.