International Diagnostic Technology

Daryl Laboratories, Inc.

Microbiological Associates, Inc.

Environmental Concerns, Inc.

Richard A Harte

Anthony B Chen

Nancy K Kaufman

Fred H Deindoerfer

Max Bart

Stephen H Mastin

Michael W Burgett

David B Wilson

Methods are provided for the fluorescent detection of an analyte of interest wherein an amine-substituted, ortho-fused pyrazine fluorophore, with neither nitrogen of the pyrazine ring being fused or substituted, is produced by enzymatic oxidation of a fluorophore precursor substrate which comprises a nitrogen-substituted, cyclic compound. Also provided are novel fluorophore-labelled compounds.

Fluorescent detection method based on enzyme activated conversion of a

A filter bed material for the removal of heavy metal ions from water and process for the manufacture thereof. The bed material includes a charcoal bed having a chelating agent adsorbed thereto utilizing a polymer to aid in the adsorption of the chelating compound.

Water purification material, process therefor, and device for the

Preparation of an immunoassay gel substrate which includes the steps of depositing on an immobilizing support structure a liquid mass of a gel-forming emulsion which coalesces into a thick gel-like matrix film characterized by substantial non-agglomerated matrix homogeneity, treating the resulting film to alter matrix homogeneity by agglomerating particles which form part of the gel, and as a consequence of the treating step establishing the object gel. Treating may be performed either by subjecting the gel to multiple time-vigorous water-wash and dry cycles, by emersing the gel in water for a relatively long period of time, or by wetting the gel and then subjecting it to one or more freeze/thaw cycles.

Immunoassay substrate

A substrate for fluoroimmunoassay is disclosed comprising a swellable, rehydratable polymeric protein-binding material forming a three-dimensional matrix; first particulate, light scattering centers distributed in the polymeric matrix capable of scattering visible light; and second particulate, light-scattering centers distributed in the polymeric matrix capable of reflecting fluorescent excitation light and absorbing all other light. The substrate efficiently binds proteins and enhances transmitted fluorescent light and thus increases the sensitivity of assays involving fluorescent measurements. The polymeric protein binding material is preferable an acrylic copolymer. The first light scattering centers are preferably oxides of titanium and zinc, and the second light-scattering centers are preferably a phthalocyanin compound.

Substrate for fluoroimmunoassay of biological fluids

Immunoassay test slide

A test slide for the performance of a series of immunoassay tests having: a substantially elongated and thin body of solid material; a plurality of individual test wells formed in said body; alignment means formed in said body in association with each of said wells; and movement facilitating means formed in said body; said slide being suitable for insertion into an automated testing device, said slide moving by said movement facilitating means, and said wells being aligned for detection by said alignment means.

A solid-phase immunosubstrate (14) which has a surface coating (12) composed of a water based emulsion of microdiameter sized latex polymer beads (16) and materials which act as light scattering centers (17), said surface coating (12) having an immunoreagent added thereto to form an immunoreactive immunosubstrate (27). An overcoating (28) being formed on said surface coating (12), said overcoating having a higher percentage of similarly sized latex polymer beads (16) contained therein.

Immunoadsorptive surface coating for solid-phase immunosubstrate and

A new surface immunoassay method is performed with two test surfaces. The method is used where serum samples may contain both an antibody for which it is desirable to test, and also competing sera constituents which may be present in indeterminate amounts. In accordance with the method, two different test surfaces are contacted with the same serum sample, and preferably the same aliquot of the serum. The first surface is treated to bind a broad spectrum of serum components including both the component to be tested for and also the competing components. The second surface is designed to bind the competing components but no substantial amount of the serum component to be tested for. The immunoassay is conducted with a labeled antibody, and quantitative measurement of the immunoassay is obtained by detecting the quantitative difference in the amount of labeled antibody on the two surfaces which have been subjected to the same serum sample. The method has utility in detecting a wide variety of antibodies of both the immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M classes, including antibodies for rubella, treponema, herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus and toxoplasma. Preferably the two surfaces used in the test are mounted on a single sampler which is analyzed in the FIAX.RTM. Fluorometer.

Method of fluoro immunoassay

A combined test for quantitating immunoglobulin and identifying the presence of abnormal homogeneous immunoglobulin usually of myeloma origin. In a direct test, a first fraction of serum sample is adsorbed to a solid surface and the adsorbed immunoglobulin is reacted with labeled antibody and the quantity of labeled antibody on the surface is measured. A second fraction of the serum sample is subjected to a competitive test in which normal immunoglobulin is adsorbed onto a second solid surface. Then, specific labeled antibody is competitively immunologically reacted with the immunoglobulin adsorbed on the surface and sample immunoglobulin. After washing, the labeled antibody on the second surface is measured to provide a quantitative measurement of sample immunoglobulin. Abnormal immunoglobulin is indicated if the ratio of immunoglobulin content of the sample as found by the competitive test to the quantity found by the direct test is 2:1 or greater.

Test for quantitation of immunoglobulin and identification of abnormal

A fluorometric system to determine the kind and amount of substances derived from a biological fluid (e.g., serum or urine) or tissue in which the substances to be detected (e.g., antigen, antibody, hormone or enzyme) are coated onto a substrate surface in fluorescent form. Multiple coating areas of different samples may be employed. The fluorometric system includes a source of filtered light to excite fluorescence, an optical system for conducting the excitation light to such coating, and optical systems for receiving emitted fluorescence and for detecting the same. The system efficiency and optical characteristics disclosed avoid photo-bleaching; limit fading; and are especially adapted to provide accurate surface reading fluorometry.

Fluorometric system, method and test article

A body suitable for use in the quantitative detection of an unknown quantity of a biologically derived sample suitably by radioimmunoassay, fluorometric detection, or by spectrophotometry. The body includes a handle attached to a nonparticulate, nonswellable, impermeable continuous surface region. A diagnostic reagent (e.g., an antibody) is covalently attached to the surface region. The surface region is stirred by the handle in a solution of sample substance (e.g., antigen) for reaction with the diagnostic reagent. In a competitive binding technique, a labelled substance (e.g., fluorochrome labelled antigen) is simultaneously contacted with the sample. Thereafter, the surface region is washed, and the label is measured as by a fluorometer. The technique is also applicable to the so-called 'sandwich technique' in which the labelled substance (e.g., labelled antibody) is reacted with the sample substance after it has been reacted with the diagnostic reagent. The above type of surface facilitates simple and effective separation of bound from free labelled substance and allows thorough washing to cleanse the surface of residual free and non-specifically bound labelled substance.

Test article including a covalently attached diagnostic reagent and

A fluorometric system to determine the kind and amount of substances derived from a biological fluid (e.g., serum or urine) or tissue in which the substances to be detected (e.g., antigen, antibody, hormone or enzyme) are coated onto a substrate surface in fluorescent form. Multiple coating areas of different samples may be employed. The fluorometric system includes a source of filtered light to excite fluorescence, optical systems for conducting the excitation light to such coating, and optical systems for receiving emitted fluorescence and for detecting the same. The system efficiency and optical characteristics disclosed avoid photo-bleaching; limit fading; and are especially adapted to provide accurate surface reading fluorometry.

A fluorometric system to determine the kind and amount of substances derived from a biological fluid (e.g., serum or urine) or tissue. The substances to be detected (e.g., antigen, antibody, hormone or enzyme) is coated onto a substrate in fluorescent form. Multiple coating areas of different samples may be employed. The fluorometric system includes a source of light to excite fluorescence, a fiber optic cable to conduct the excitation light to such coating, and a second fiber optic cable to conduct emitted fluorescence to a detector device. The system minimizes any gap distance in the path from the sample to the detector which permits the loss of excessive fluorescence. A branched fiber optical cable with the main trunk terminating adjacent the sample with one branch for transmitting light to the sample and the other for transmitting fluorescence light to the detector.

Growing community of inventors

Redwood City, CA, United States of America

Richard A Harte