The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 19, 1982
Filed:
Jun. 14, 1979
Robert J Buehler, Holliston, MA (US);
Teresa H Chan, Burlington, MA (US);
Franklin Lim, Richmond, VA (US);
Damon Corporation, Needham Heights, MA (US);
Abstract
Disclosed is a process for determining the concentration of unbound hormone, e.g., thyroxine, cortisol, or testosterone, in a liquid sample containing hormone and protein capable of binding the hormone. The sample is incubated with antibody specific to the hormone to be detected and a distinguishable analogue of the hormone, both of which are separated from the sample by semipermeable membranes capable of excluding the passage of natural protein and antibody but which allow passage of the hormone and its analogue. Preferably, the antibody and analogue are contained in semipermeable microcapsules. Free hormone in the sample permeates the membranes and competes for sites of attachment to the antibody with the analogue. The antibody and free hormones are then separated. The amount of analogue present either in association with the antibody or in the remainder of the reaction system is indicative of the level of free hormone originally present in the sample.