Nagaoka Co., Ltd.

Burstein Technologies, Inc.

University of Glasgow

Burnstein Technologies, Inc.

John Francis Gordon

Susan Newcomb Hurt

Kevin Robert McIntyre

Martina Elisabeth Werner

Ramon Magpantay Valencia

David Samuel Cohen

A multi-well assay plate structure () and assay apparatus and a method for performing chemical biochemical assays is described. The multi-well assay plate structure () defines a relatively shallow substantially enclosed space () above a plurality of wells (), with the enclosed space () having an inlet () and an outlet () separate from the inlet. Fluid introduced via the inlet () flows into the space () and/or wells () by displacing air. Withdrawal of the fluid via the inlet () or outlet leaves fluid in the wells () allowing various tests to be performed. Various embodiments of the structure are described. The preferred arrangement embodies the structure on a transparent plastic disk which can be used with automatic fluid handling apparatus () and the results assessed using optical assessment apparatus (). The apparatus can be used to perform a variety of assays but, in particular, biochemical/chemical assay, immunoassays and genetic (DNA) assays and it can be used in a laboratory for multiple sample testing or at a point-of-care, i.e. in a surgery or clinic.

Apparatus and method for conducting assays

A system for conducting an optical inspection of a biological, chemical, or biochemical sample supported by an optically transparent disc. The disc is mounted for rotation about its central axis while a light source and a plurality of radiation detectors are provided for scanning optically readable portions and tracking information encoded to the disc and scanning the sample. The source is arranged above the disc and the detectors are arranged above and below the disc. The optical properties of the sample can be automatically and rapidly inspected by analyzing the output of the light detectors including the use of a ratio of first and second detector output. A third detector output also may be used in the analysis.

Apparatus and method for carrying out analysis of samples using radiation detector output ratios

This invention relates to clinical diagnostic assays and related optical bio-discs and a disc-reading apparatus. The invention is directed to a method for determining the blood cell type of an individual.

Methods and apparatus for blood typing with optical bio-disc

The present invention relates to methods and systems for the detection of specific sequences of nucleic acids or oligonucleotides. It relates more particularly to a conjugated enzyme based assay system utilizing reflective and/or transmissive optical bio-discs for detection of specific sequences of nucleic acids. In the assay according to the present invention, an enzyme reaction is used to detect the presence of an analyte (DNA or RNA) in a microchannel in an optical bio-disc. The analyte is immobilized by hybridization with a specific capture probe on a capture layer on the surface and the signal that is generated is localized and specific. The signal can be in the form of a pellet, a fluorescent product, and/or a colored product, and can be detected and quantified by an optical bio-disc reader utilized in conjunction with the inventions hereof. This assay is thus quantitative in nature.

Surface assembly for immobilizing DNA capture probes in genetic assays using enzymatic reactions to generate signal in optical bio-discs and methods relating thereto

Methods and apparatus for testing a sample for target molecules or chemicals. The apparatus includes a rotatable optical disc having a reaction chamber and having at least two groups of beads or micro-particles, the different group of beads having at least two different densities, sizes, shapes, and/or color, and each bead in a group having different probes attached thereto. A sample is added to the reaction chamber and the disc is rotated. The reaction chamber has a density gradient medium that causes beads of different densities to remain at different radial locations, depending on the density of the beads. The beads are then inspected by directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation onto the disc. The beam may be reflected from or transmitted through the disc. The amount, or presence, or absence of targets is determined by analyzing the signal returned from the beam. Related methods of performing assays and making the disc apparatus are provided.

Multi-parameter assays including analysis discs and methods relating thereto

This invention relates to clinical diagnostic assays, related optical bio-discs, and a disc-reading apparatus. The invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for performing immunohematology assays using an optical bio-disc analysis system. The invention is further directed to an optical bio-disc for performing an immunohematologic assay including a substrate having encoded information associated therewith. The encoded information may be readable by a disc drive assembly to control rotation of the disc. The disc may also include at least one target zone or capture zone associated with the substrate. The target zone is disposed at a predetermined location relative to a center of the substrate. The disc further includes a plurality of capture antibodies immobilized within the target zone, a flow channel, fluidic circuit, or analysis chamber associated with the target zone, and an input site in fluid communication with the analysis chamber.

Methods and apparatus for blood typing with optical bio-discs

An apparatus and method for carrying out analysis of samples using semi-reflective beam radiation inspection in association with an optical disk and an optical reader has an optically transparent substrate having a semi-reflective layer which reflects a portion of the beam of light to form a reflected beam and transmits a portion of the beam of light to form a transmitted beam. The semi-reflective layer includes optically readable encoded information to be read by the reader for controlling the scanning of the reader relative the disk, the encoded information providing modulation of the reflected beam. The disk includes a sample support surface positioned to be scanned by the reader on which the biological, chemical or biochemical sample may be located for optical inspection with the transmitted beam.

Apparatus and method for carrying out analysis of samples using semi-reflective beam radiation inspection

A system for conducting a histological inspection of a biological specimen supported on or in a substrate which may be provided in the form of an optically transparent disc. The disc is mounted for rotation about its central axis while a light source and detector are provided for rotation in an arc crossing the surface of the disc. The source is arranged above the disc and one or more detectors is arranged above and/or below the disc with the optical disc being provided with position and tracking encoded information which interrupts the passage of the light beam when the beam passes over it, thus allowing the scan to be aligned relative to the disc and specimen. The specimen supported on or in the disk can be displayed on a computer display using the position and tracking information.

Apparatus and method for carrying out histological analysis of specimens

A system for conducting an optical inspection of a biological, chemical, or biochemical sample supported by an optically transparent disc. The disc is mounted for rotation about its central axis while a light source and detector are mounted on an arm for rotation in an arc crossing the surface of the disc. The source is arranged above the disc and the detector is arranged below the disc with the optical axes provided with a calibration marking which interrupts the passage of the light beam when the beam passes over it, thus allowing the scan to be aligned relative to the disc. The optical properties of the sample supported on the substrate can be automatically and rapidly inspected by analyzing the output of the light detector.

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Irvine, CA, United States of America

John Francis Gordon