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:
Dec. 16, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 05, 1999
James W. Stave, Elkton, MD (US);
George B. Teaney, III, Oxford, PA (US);
Werner Kroll, Solingen, DE;
Other;
Abstract
An assay device for the detection of analyte in a sample, methods and immunoassay formats for performing an assay with or without the device, and methods for manufacturing the device are provided. The device is a continuous liquid flow channel having a proximal and a distal end, with a detection membrane in fluid communication with the distal end of the flow channel. Interspersed between the assay buffer and detection membrane, and continuous with the liquid flow channel, are a sample delivery means, one or more reservoirs containing the reagents necessary for conducting the assay, and, optionally, mixing or incubation reservoirs for combining the sample and reagents. The geometry of the liquid flow channel regulates the flow rate of the liquids through the channel, thereby controlling incubation, mixing and reaction time. The preferred detection membrane is an immunochromatographic test strip containing immobilized reagents. The detection of labeled reagent in a particular area of the detection membrane reflects the presence or relative amount of analyte in the sample. Detection may be achieved visually. One or more liquid flow channels may be contained within a single housing for simultaneous, consecutive, or comparative sample analysis.