At Point Bio

Other

Immuno-mycologics, Inc.

David S Bauman

Chad A Sheckler

Paul A Barstad

Greg A Griffeth

Randy J Grellner

An assembly for use in biological assays containing an integral ceramic core and, partially abutting the core, a sheath. The ceramic core has a mean pore size of from about 1 to about 400 microns, an apparent porosity of from, about 25 to about 60 percent, a hydrophilic surface, a length of from about 10 to about 200 millimeters, and a wicking rate of at least about 20 millimeters per minute; the sheath has a wicking rate of less than 5 millimeters per minute.

Ceramic assembly for use in biological assays

A method and device for performing comparative assay of binding and bindable substances such as antibodies and antigens. The device includes a circulation conduit for continuously conveying a carrier fluid between a support zone therein and a detection zone therein. A competitive binding substance is fixed in the support zone and is capable of competitively binding a test substance and an analytical detection substance such that changes in concentration of the test substance in the carrier fluid responsively cause changes of concentration of analytical detection substance in the carrier fluid. Each of the analytical detection substance (antigen-fluorochrome, for example) and the test substance (antigen, for example) are bound to the binding substance (monoclonal antibody, for example) in proportion to the concentration of the test substance in the carrier fluid. A detection means is provided for detecting changes in the concentration of the analytical detection substance as the carrier fluid is conveyed through the detection zone. Preferably, the detection means comprises a fluorescent detector detecting fluorescent activity produced by the fluorochrome detection substance. The fluorescent detector includes a comparator which compares the degree of fluorescent activity in a lo-flow tube compared to a hi-flow tube. Changes in concentration of the test substance produce a variation in the fluorescent activity in the hi-flow tube compared to the lo-flow tube. The method includes introducing a test substance into the carrier fluid of a device of the type described above. A comparative assay is performed by detecting changes in the concentration of the analytical detection substance produced by the introduction of the test substance.

Comparative assay method and device

A method and device for assaying a test substance utilizing a primary absorbent substance for selectively allowing only a quantity of an analytical reagent proportional to the quantity of test substance to pass therethrough when test substance and analytical reagent are contacted with the primary absorbent. An analytical absorbent is disposed in a series of zones for sequentially absorbing the analytical reagent which passes through the primary absorbent so that detection of the last zone of absorbed analytical reagent indicates the quantity of test substance. The method comprises passing test substance and analytical reagent through the primary absorbent and then the analytical absorbent followed by detection of the last zone in which analytical reagent is absorbed. The device comprises a funnel with the primary absorbent therein for directing the test substance and analytical reagent to a narrow tube holding the analytical absorbent.

Growing community of inventors

Norman, OK, United States of America

David S Bauman