Patent · US Expired

Diagnostic assay module

US5053197A · kind A · utility

47Cited by
11References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 19, 1989
Grant dateOct 1, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 19, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S436/805
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A diagnostic assay module for analytical procedures in which an optical signal developed by interaction between a component in a sample fluid, such as an analyte in a biological fluid, and one or more reagents in a resilient assay element is read by optical means. The module includes a first member having one open side and a second member adapted to close the open side of the first member against a resilient assay element. The area of the assay element to which the sample fluid is applied and wherein the optical signal developed by the interaction of the sample component and the reagent(s) in the assay element is read is maintained in a substantially horizontal orientation by flexure developed between complementing ramp surfaces on the respective first and second members. In a preferred embodiment the first member defines a liquid transport surface which, together with the assay element forms a fluid flow zone to provide for the uniform spreading of a sample fluid, introduced through an aperture in the member, across the surface of the assay element. The volume of fluid in the fluid flow zone is controlled by the precise positioning of the assay element according to the invention.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.