Method and apparatus for performing determinations of immune rectants in

Abstract

A method and apparatus for performing determinations of immune reactants (e.g., antigens, antibodies) in bodily fluids utilize multiple test units having respective elongated rods with transversely-expanded polymer tips at their distal ends. The tip surfaces contain microgrooves and are coated with respective immune reactants (e.g., allergens) of the type which react in a known manner with respective allergen-specific or allergen-binding antibodies in human serum. The supporting strip for the test units has through-holes which frictionally or adhesively engage the proximal ends of the test unit rods with a spacing that permits all of the supported test units to be simultaneously inserted into a reaction vessel permitting simultaneous determination of reactants and degrees thereof against multiple immune reactants of varying kinds (i.e., allergens, antigens, antibodies) in a common sample of body fluid (i.e., serum, plasma, whole blood, etc.). The shallow microgrooves on the test tip permit rapid penetration of dye and rinsing of the test units. After incubation in the sample fluid, the test units are washed and then incubate in an enzyme-antibody conjugate. Upon additional rinsing the test units are permitted to incubate in a chromogenic substrate specific to the enzyme. The intensity of the resulting color (typically blue) on the tip is a measure of the amount of specific antibodies in the tested fluid sample.