초록 ▼

Fluorescent immunoassay apparatus and method employing a disposable consisting, in a preferred embodiment, of a short length of precise diameter capillary tubing having an axially disposed optical fiber to which is immobilized a monolayer of a component of the antibody-antigen complex (e.g., an anti

Fluorescent immunoassay apparatus and method employing a disposable consisting, in a preferred embodiment, of a short length of precise diameter capillary tubing having an axially disposed optical fiber to which is immobilized a monolayer of a component of the antibody-antigen complex (e.g., an antibody), an inert diluent, and a preload of a known amount of tagged complement to the immobilized component (e.g., a fluorescent-tagged antigen). The dimensions of the fiber and the capillary tubing are chosen so as to allow the tube to fill itself by capillary action once an end of the tube is immersed into the sample. Precise timing and ballistic measurements may, if desired, be avoided by insuring the incubation time is larger than the diffusion time necessary to scavenge the volume between the fiber and the capillary tubing. Fluorimetric measurement is made by total reflection fluorescence techniques.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for performing immunoassays using an antigen-antibody complex incorporating a fluorescent tag capable of emitting fluorescent radiation when excited by exciting radiation, said apparatus comprising in combination: an optical fiber transmissive to both said exciting radiation and said fluor

Apparatus for performing immunoassays using an antigen-antibody complex incorporating a fluorescent tag capable of emitting fluorescent radiation when excited by exciting radiation, said apparatus comprising in combination: an optical fiber transmissive to both said exciting radiation and said fluorescent radiation; a coating on at least a portion of said fiber, said coating having a plurality of sites, each being capable of having attached thereto a selected moiety of said antigen-antibody complex so as to leave substantially unaffected the activity of said selected moiety for forming said antigen-antibody complex; and means for controlling a volume of capillary dimensions bounded by said portion of said fiber.