Methods and apparatus for improved luminescence assays

US6325973A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• IGEN International, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John K. Leland · Laurel, US
• Haresh P. Shah · Gaithersburg, US
• John Kenten · Gaithersburg, US
• Jack Goodman · Arlington, US
• George E. Lowke · Laytonsville, US
• Yuzaburo Namba · Tsukuba, JP
• Gary Blackburn · Glendora, US
• Richard J. Massey · Rockville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 19, 1999
• Grant date: Dec 4, 2001
• Expiry date: Feb 19, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N1/40
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus for performing a binding assay for an analyte of interest in a sample based upon measurement of clectrochemiluminescence at an electrode surface comprising: (a) a cell defining a sample; (b) an electrode adjacent a portion of the sample containing volume; (c) a voltage control device for impressing electrochemical energy upon the electrode sufficient to generate luminescence; (d) means for magnetically collecting particles along the electrode surface; and (e) a light detection device for measuring the luminescence.