US 7,611,905 B2 · Apparatus and method of assay in utilizing attenuated total reflection

Abstract

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay apparatus has an assay stage, which is loadable with a sensor unit. The sensor unit has a prism, thin film, flow cell and flow channel for flow of sample. A multiple pipette assembly accesses the flow channel in the assay stage, and introduces the sample into the flow channel. A light source applies illuminating light to the thin film to satisfy a total reflection condition. A photo detector receives the illuminating light reflected by the thin film to output a signal. A pressing mechanism presses the sensor unit on the assay stage for holding in a direction of the access of the pipette assembly. The pressing mechanism includes a movable pad for contacting the sensor unit. A slider moves the pad to press the sensor unit. A spring plunger adjusts pressure of the pad to the sensor unit.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An assay apparatus for assay in utilizing attenuated total reflection, comprising:

an assay stage for being removably loaded with a sensor unit including a dielectric medium overlaid with a thin film, and a flow cell having a flow channel for flow of sample in contact with said thin film;
a dispenser, having a pipette device for accessing said flow channel of said sensor unit set in said assay stage, for dispensing and introducing said sample into said flow channel;
a light source for applying illuminating light to said thin film to satisfy a total reflection condition;
a photo detector for receiving said illuminating light reflected by said thin film, to convert said illuminating light into an electric output;
and
a pressing mechanism for pressing said sensor unit on said assay stage for holding in a first direction in which said pipette device is moved for access,
wherein said sensor unit has a linker film capable of immobilizing ligands and which contains immobilized ligands which is overlaid on said thin film.

4 more elements

An assay method of assay in utilizing attenuated total reflection, wherein an assay stage is removably loaded with a sensor unit including a dielectric medium overlaid with a thin film, and a flow cell having a flow channel for flow of sample in contact with said thin film, and said assay stage includes a light source for applying illuminating light to said thin film to satisfy a total reflection condition, and a photo detector for receiving said illuminating light reflected by said thin film, to convert said illuminating light intro an electric output, and a pipette device is caused to access said flow channel of said sensor unit set in said assay stage, for dispensing and introducing said sample into said flow channel, said assay method comprising steps of:

pressing said sensor unit on said assay stage for holding in a first direction in which said pipette device is moved for access;
wherein said sensor unit has a linker film capable of immobilizing ligands and which contains immobilized ligands;
and
while said sensor unit is pressed in the main holding step, introducing said sample into said flow channel by setting said pipette device, to measure reaction of said sample with immobilized ligands on said thin film.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method of assay in utilizing attenuated total reflection

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method of assay in utilizing attenuated total reflection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16