Idexx Laboratories, Inc.

Michael Raymond Kepron

Scott Marshall Clark

Robert H Suva

Stanislaw Barski

Erwin F Workman, Jr

A device for conducting an assay to determine the presence or amount of an analyte in a fluid sample. The device includes a flow path that facilitates fluidic flow by capillary action. The flow path has a first fluid permeable region, a second fluid permeable region, a barrier that inhibits fluidic flow between the first and second regions, and a fluidic bridge. The bridge includes a fluid permeable material overlapping at least a portion of each of the first region, the barrier and the second region.

Bi-directional flow assay device with reagent bridge

Invention performs an assay to determine presence or quantity of specific analyte in fluid sample. Representative device has two separate flow paths established sequentially in device with a single user activation step. First flow path delivers sample, and conjugate soluble binding reagents to solid phase. If analyte is present, an analyte:conjugate complex is formed and immobilized. Sample volume delivered by first path determined by absorbent capacity of solid phase, and not by amount of sample added to device. User need not measure sample volume. Sample/conjugate mixture is prevented from entering second flow path because capillary and surface energy of second flow path prevent it from being wetted by this mixture. Second flow path allows wash reagent to remove unbound conjugate and sample from solid phase to the absorbant, and optionally deliver detection reagents. Adaptable for many formats including, sandwich immunoassays, colloidal gold, sol particle, heterogeneous generic capture, and competitive assays.

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Standish, ME, United States of America

Michael Raymond Kepron