초록

The invention relates to an immunoassay cassette useful for carrying out multistage immunoassays in an automated manner. In operation, the cassette assumes different operational positions in which solutions are transferred sequentially across an absorbent pathway containing assay reagents.

대표청구항 ▼

[ It is claimed:] [1.] An immunoassay cassette for use in detecting an analyte in a body-fluid sample, comprising(a) a base;(b) a reagent support;(c) means for mounting said support on said base for relative movement with respect thereto from an initial at-rest position, to first and second operatio

[ It is claimed:] [1.] An immunoassay cassette for use in detecting an analyte in a body-fluid sample, comprising(a) a base;(b) a reagent support;(c) means for mounting said support on said base for relative movement with respect thereto from an initial at-rest position, to first and second operational positions,said base having (i) a sample well for containing said sample, (ii) a sample-transfer strip for transferring sample in the sample well to a sample-transfer position, (iii) a wash reservoir for containing a wash solution, (iv) a wash-transfer strip for transferring wash solution in the wash reservoir to a wash-transfer position, and (v) a takeup pad for imbibing wash solution;said reagent support having (i) an analyte detection zone, and (ii) a reaction strip, comprising capillary means for transferring said body fluid sample from the sample-transfer position to the detection zone, when the reagent support is moved to its first operational position, and for transferring wash solution from the wash-transfer position to the detection zone, when the reagent support is moved to its second operational position,said takeup pad being effective to imbibe liquid from said detection zone when the reagent support is moved to its second operational position; and(d) reagent means for producing a detectable, analyte-dependent reaction product at said detection zone, said reagent means being disposed in a fluid pathway defined by said sample-transfer strip, reaction strip, and detection zone.