Other

British Technology Group USA

Ultra Diagnostics Corporation

Thomas H Stanton

Niels H Andersen

Deborah C Schindele

George E Renzoni

Ralph G Ridenour

Karen L Fearon

Barry V Pepich

James A Clagett

Kent E Opheim

Fluorescent and/or chromogenic reagents in which a phthalocyanine derivative is monomerically conjugated with an antigen, antibody, oligonucleotide, or nucleic acid. Methods are presented in in which greater than 90% of the phthalocyanine dyes are monomeric when conjugated. This greatly enhances their performance as detectable markers in immunoassays, nucleic acid probe assays, immunoblotting, hybridization assays, microscopy, imaging, flow cytometry, DNA sequencing, and photodynamic therapy. For use as fluorophores, the free base phthalocyanine may or may not be metallated. Metals for fluorescent phthalocyanine include aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, gallium, germanium, cadmium, scandium, magnesium, tin, and zinc. For use as chromogens, the phthalocyanine may or may not be metallated. For use in aqueous solution, the phthalocyanine macrocycle should be derivatized with water-solubilizing substituents such as sulfonic acid, phosphate, phosphonate, hydroxy, phenoxy, amino, ammonium, or pyridinium groups. To promote disaggregation, metallation with an atom of +3 valence or higher is recommended, so that the monomer will take on an axial ligand in aqueous solution. For use in enzymatic immunoassays and enzymatically enhanced nucleic acid probe assays, the monomeric phthalocyanine derivative is conjugated via an enzyme-cleavable linkage with the antigen, antibody, oligonucleotide, or nucleic acid. Reversibly quenched embodiments are also provided in which a cleavable linkage joins a fluorescent phthalocyanine monomer with another phthalocyanine, a heavy metal, or a paramagnetic species.

Monomeric phthalocyanine reagents

A tube fitting assembly includes a tube and first and second threaded fitting members with first and second lateral shoulders, respectively. A plurality of deformed areas, shown as two in number, are provided from the wall of the tube by axial compression. This establishes first and second beads with at least the second bead being an annular bead to cooperate with the second shoulder. When the two fitting members are threaded together, this axially compresses the plural beads so that a seal is formed between the second annular bead and the second shoulder on the second fitting member. The large extent to which the deformed areas may be axially compressed assures a good fluidtight seal despite the variable amount of torque applied to the fitting members. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Double bead tube fitting

An immunoassay device including one or more reaction chambers, each adapted to receive and retain a volume of test fluid in fluid communication with nonoverlapping first, second, and third reagent-bearing surfaces. To the first surface is reversibly bound an analyte conjugate: analyte component conjugated to one or more components, termed ligand/marker, that serve ligand and marker functions as described herein. Analyte binding partner is immobilized on the second surface, and ligand/marker binding partner is immobilized on the third surface. The reaction chamber is preferably configured to receive and direct the test fluid sequentially past the first second, and third reagent surfaces. In use, analyte conjugate solubilized from the first surface completes with any analyte in the test fluid for analyte binding partner sites on the second surface. Excess analyte conjugate becomes sequestered on the third surface, where the marker activity is read to indicate analyte presence and concentration in the test fluid. A test kit includes the immunoassay device in combination with comparative test results.

Competitive immunoassay method, device and test kit

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Thomas H Stanton