Cornell Research Foundation Inc.

Sui Ti Siebert

Richard Allen Durst

Stuart Graham Reeves

Matthew A Roberts

A test device for detecting or quantifying an analyte in a test sample includes an absorbent material having separate contact and measurement portions. The contact portion is positioned at or proximate to a first end of the absorbent material. The measurement portion has a receptor for a conjugate of an analyte analog and marker-encapsulating liposomes. In a method for using the test device, a binding material specific for the analyte is combined with the liposome-analyte analog conjugate and the test sample to form a test mixture. The mixture is incubated for a time sufficient to permit competition between any analyte present and the conjugate for the binding material. Following incubation, the mixture is allowed to traverse the absorbent material from the contact portion through the measurement portion of the absorbent material. Following traversal by the test mixture, the presence or amount of marker in the measurement portion of the absorbent material is then detected and correlated with the presence or amount, respectively, of the analyte in the sample. Liposomes encapsulating an electroactive marker are used in conjunction with a test device as described above but which includes an electrochemical measurement portion in place of the measurement portion described above. Test devices and methods employing electrochemical detection or quantification of an electroactive marker corresponding to the amount of analyte in a sample may be either amperometric or potentiometric.

Liposome enhanced immunoaggregation assay and test device

A test device for detecting or determining an analyte in a test solution includes an absorbent material having separate contact, competitive binding, and measurement portions. The contact portion is positioned for contact with and uptake of the test solution. The competitive binding portion has a binding material for the analyte non-diffusively bound thereto. The measurement portion has a receptor for the analyte and marker-encapsulating liposomes non-diffusively bound thereto. In a method for using the test device, a solution containing the analyte and the analyte-liposome conjugate is allowed to traverse the absorbent material from the contact portion through the competitive binding portion and on through the measurement portion of the absorbent material. The amount of marker in the measurement portion of the absorbent material, following traversal by the test solution, is then determined as a measure of the analyte in the sample. Liposomes encapsulating an electroactive marker are used in conjunction with a test device as described above but which includes an electrochemical measurement portion in place of the measurement portion described above. Test devices and methods employing electrochemical detection or quantification of an electroactive marker corresponding to the amount of analyte in a sample may be either amperometric or potentiometric.

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Sui Ti Siebert