CA1237074A - Device for chemical analyses and use thereof - Google Patents
Device for chemical analyses and use thereofInfo
- Publication number
- CA1237074A CA1237074A CA000469009A CA469009A CA1237074A CA 1237074 A CA1237074 A CA 1237074A CA 000469009 A CA000469009 A CA 000469009A CA 469009 A CA469009 A CA 469009A CA 1237074 A CA1237074 A CA 1237074A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- segment
- reagent
- sample
- site
- segments
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
- B01L3/505—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes flexible containers not provided for above
- B01L3/5055—Hinged, e.g. opposable surfaces
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
- G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
- G01N33/50—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
- G01N33/52—Use of compounds or compositions for colorimetric, spectrophotometric or fluorometric investigation, e.g. use of reagent paper and including single- and multilayer analytical elements
- G01N33/528—Atypical element structures, e.g. gloves, rods, tampons, toilet paper
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S435/00—Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
- Y10S435/805—Test papers
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S435/00—Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
- Y10S435/975—Kit
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The device according to the invention intended for chemical analyses comprises a continuous sheet with at least two segments the first one of which contains a site on which at least one of said reagents is present from the beginning and on which the contact between sample and reagent can take place, and a second one contains a site on which the presence of detectable substance can be shown, said first and other segments being fold-able in such a way that the site with the reagent can be brought to overlap the site for detection; at least one arrangement for the separation of reagent that has not reacted during the contact between sample and reagent, said arrangement being placed to be activated before the presence of detectable substance is shown, the segments being foldable in such a way that the desired segments can overlap each other for performing the desired analytical steps. The use according to the invention relates to the use of said device for chemical analyses, especially within the fields of medicine and agriculture, e.g. immuno-chemical analyses, such as enzyme immuno assay, fluorescence immuno assay and luminescence immuno assay.
The device according to the invention intended for chemical analyses comprises a continuous sheet with at least two segments the first one of which contains a site on which at least one of said reagents is present from the beginning and on which the contact between sample and reagent can take place, and a second one contains a site on which the presence of detectable substance can be shown, said first and other segments being fold-able in such a way that the site with the reagent can be brought to overlap the site for detection; at least one arrangement for the separation of reagent that has not reacted during the contact between sample and reagent, said arrangement being placed to be activated before the presence of detectable substance is shown, the segments being foldable in such a way that the desired segments can overlap each other for performing the desired analytical steps. The use according to the invention relates to the use of said device for chemical analyses, especially within the fields of medicine and agriculture, e.g. immuno-chemical analyses, such as enzyme immuno assay, fluorescence immuno assay and luminescence immuno assay.
Description
TITLE OF T~IF INVENTION
device for chemical analyses and use thereof.
__ TEC~INICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the field ox chemical analyses and more specifically to a device for performing such as well as to a use of said device. Analyses to which the present invention is applicable are such, wherein the sample to be tested is contacted with reagent(s) reacting with the sample to form a detectable substance, which in turn is de-tected for a qualitative or a quantitative determination thereof. The invention is especially interesting within the field of medicine, e.g. immuno-chemical analyses, but is not limited thereto as the basic idea of the invention is appli-cable to a variety of analyses of the kind referred to above.
BACKGROUND OF THE lNVENTION
In immuno-chemical analyses, such as enzyme immuno assay (EIA) or fluorescence immuno assay (FIA), free labelled antibody or antigen must in most cases be separated from the labelled antigen-antibody complex. This is commonly accompli-shed by means of a solid phase that can be present e.g. in the form of a particle or a surface, either the free labelled component or the complex being retained by the solid phase on the basis of molecular size, adsorption or different types of chemical (including immuno-chemical) bonding. Typical for such analyses today is thaw they require several liquid pro-cessing steps for carrying out the reaction sequence. For that reason most immuno-chemical analyses are, with the tech-nique used today, limited to laboratories having trained personnel.
By means of the device according to the invention it has been shown to be possible to considerably facilitate and simplify the processing and operational steps of analyses of the above-mentioned type so that they can be performed also by non-trained personnel, e.g. doctors and nurses in offices and hospitals. The device is even simple enough to be handled ~7~
in many cases by the patient himself. Furthermore, an im-portant factor in the last-mentioned connection is that due to its very simple construction the device can Qlso be made very inexpensively, which means that it might achieve a wide spread commercial use, at least for some qualitative and semi-quantitative tests where certain states of illness can be confirmed by the patient himself before there is a need for any consultation with a doctor.
However, as was mentioned above the device is in no way limited to use in connection with immuno-chemical analy-ses, but for the sake of simplicity and for a better under-standing it will still be described more in detail below in connection therewith. In this context it could also be added that the described analyses and the reagents utilized in connection therewith are well known and are disclosed in numerous references. Thus it should not be necessary to re-peat details thereabout here since these can be found in suit-able literature within the field. For examples of techniques used within the field of immuno-chemical analyses reference is made to the techniques described in Swedish Patent Appli-cation Ser.No. 8205751-4. However, nor is said literature reference intended to be in any way exhaustive within this field.
For the purpose of elucidating the invention even more Z5 as well as the technical field to which it relates it should also be added that it bears no relation to those numerous simple diffusion devices which are disclosed in the litera-ture, i.e. where a sample either passively or by means of capillary forces is allowed to diffuse through one or more chemically active layers. Examples of references which dis-close devices of this kind are US A 3,511,608, GB 2,031,583, EP 64,392, US A 4,066,403 and EP 51,183. As far as these are concerned it should be pointed out that those overlapping segments which are disclosed in US A 3,511,608 or those fold-able sheets which are disclosed in GB 2,031,583 and EP 64,392 relate to possible manufacturing methods for diffus-ion devices but have no functional purpose for the execution ~3 of the analysis, during which time said segments or sheets are permanently connected to one another itl one single piece.
Although there in e.g. GB 2,031,538 and EP 6~,392 are flaps which are foldable to the user, these flaps are only used as protective lids or covers and do not take part in the chemi-cal or analytical process.
The device according to the invention differs essen-tially from the above-mentioned devices through the fact that it is not based upon any diffusion principle. Instead the analysis is performed step by step as in the laboratory.
The novelty of the concept is that liquid samples and reagents need not be transferred between test tubes or test cups by repeated pipetting operations. Instead samples, reagents and even a wash-ing function are contained on surfaces of the device. Transfer of samples or reagents between the surfaces is accomplished by a simple folding action. This offers considerable advantages over multilayer diffusion elements of the type that are disclosed in e.g. US A 4,066,403 and EP 51,183. The user retains full control of the timing of the different reaction steps, while the timing for diffusion devices of the multilayer type can be varied only by the manufacturer by choice of layer mate-rial and even then merely to a limited extent. Moreover, the device according to the invention can be utilized for the analysis of most substances without a need for any major modification of its basic structure or design. In immuno--chemical analyses there are substances of extremely varying size, from drugs having a molecular weight of not more than 500 to whole cells and bacteria which are a thousand million times larger. As substances of different size diffuse at different rates, diffusion devices therefore have an additio-nal drawback in that it is necessary to adjust the types of layers for each kind of analyte. Finally, it should be added that the method of manufacture and the storage properties of the device according to the invention are based on establish-ed technology while these factors have proven to be difficultto master in practice for immuno-chemical diffusion devices of the multilayer type.
~3 DISCL,OSURE OF T~!E INVENTION
The device according to the invention can hriefly be described as a complete test kit for performing an analysis of the above-mentioned type wherein all chemically active parts which are necessary for carrying out the analysis are built into the device, i.e. there is no need to perform any stage of the analysis outside the device per se. These che-mically active parts are arranged or mounted in such a way that they are contacted with the sample and each other by a simple folding system. Furthermore, said folding system can be made completely self-instructing i.e. instructions for performing the analysis may be included within the folding system and it is also possible to include a number of num-bered or color-coded tabs as part of the folding system, which tabs give stepwise directions for the operational sequence.
In addition thereto the device also includes as an integral part a result display which for instance in the form of a color or fluorescence gives a positive, negative or optional-ly quantitative response. In other words, all necessary re-agents and reaction steps can be built into a very simple, compact and inexpensive construction, whLch offers hitherto unrealized opportunities, especially within the field of medicine.
More specifically, the device according to the invent-ion is characterized in that it comprises a continuous sheet having two or more segments, the first of which contains a site where the contact between sample and reagent can take place, and a second one contains a site where the presence of a desired detectable substance can be shown, the segments being foldable in such a way that they can overlap each other as desired in order to accomplish the required reactions. The site on the first segment preferably contains the designated reagent initially, i.e. said reagent is present or included in the device so that it need not be prepared before the analysis in question can be started. This is applicable also to the detecting reagent on the second segment, i.e. also this reagent can, if required, be present in the device from the beginning.
Characteristic of the invention is also that the de-vice also includes at 'Least one arrangement for the separat-ion of excess reagent, i.e. reagent that has not reacted during the contact between e.g. sample and reagent(s), said arrangement being placed so as to be able to exercise its function before the presence of detectable substance is shown.
In other words the basic idea of the present invention is a number of segments with incorporated reagents which 10 segments are connected to each other into one continuous , structure and in such a way that they can be folded so that desired reagents come into contact with each other. While the simplest and accordingly the most inexpensive construct-ion would be one where said sheet is represented by one '15 single piece, e.g. in the form of a paper sheet or plastics sheet with folding lines, along which the given segments can be folded on top of each other, the term "continuous sheet"
is intended to mean any construction where the different segments are connected to each other. Thus, the invention can of course also be applied by manufacturing separate seg-ments, which segments are then linked to each other by means of a linking mechanism of the hinge type or similar. Such more sophisticated devices should be applicable primarily to devices which are intended to be used several times, e.g. by using such sites containing chemical reagents which are easily exchangeable, but in many cases the device is intended for disposal after use and in these cases a simple foldable material should be preferable for economical reasons.
Often analyses of the type referred to include a step where one or more components or reactants are to be separat-ed from the other components or reactants before detection can or should be started. For instance this is applicable to the separation of a liquid from a solid phase (solid phase reagent or a solid phase formed by the reaction). Particular-ly for these types of analyses the device according to theinvention has turned out to be especially interesting, since also this separation operation is built in the very compact ~3'79 and easy to operate clevice. The only reagent or accessory which may possibly need to be added external]y is .- washing liquid which it may be preferable to handle separately for practical purposes, especially since this washing liquid is often chemically stable and in many cases even consists of ordinary water. Nor does the utilization of a washing liquid require any exactness contrary to what is generally the case with reagents.
The separation arrangement can for instance be a third segment provided with a separation element or medium, which segment is arranged or mounted to be folded in between the above-mentioned first and second segments respectively to accomplish the desired separation. As to such a separation arrangement it should be noted that, as is the case also for the other reagents used, it is chosen completely in conformity with prior art. In many cases it should be possible simply to utilize a filter paper to obtain the desired function, which of course also keeps the price down.
According to another preferable embodiment of the in-vention the arrangement for separation of the reagent is oneor more separation o r absorption media arranged adja-cent to the site on the first segment. In other words no extra segment is utilized in this case but said arrangement is in-cluded in the segment on which the contact between sample and reagent takes place. The fact that said media are arranged adjacent to said site on the first segment in prin-ciple means that they should be able to be activated merely by application of liquid, i.e. generally washing liquid in an amount exceeding the volume that is used for the applicat-ion of the sample. In other words liquid will automaticallybe sucked up by the absorbing medium. This can be accomplish-ed by arranging an absorbing material in at least one well or container in the first segment, which well or container has an opening allowing an inflow of liquid from the site on the first segment.
In some cases the analysis comprises of reactions in several steps before the detection can be performed. In spite ~l~3~7~
of its simplicity the device according to the invention is use-ful also in such cases, viz. by simply including therein further segments which contain the desired reagents) and which are mounted to be folded ln in any suitable sequence to accomplish a reaction with the sample or with a reaction product formed in any preceding step.
Another embodiment of the device according to the in-vention is a device which contains an extra segment merely in-tended for the application of the test sample or for a dilut-tion thereof before it is folded by means of said ext-ra seg-ment into contact with a reagent on another segment.
Still another embodiment of the device according to the invention is a device wherein the detecting reagent is a color-forming reagent and wherein one of the segments contains one or more windows with reference color or colors. with which the color formed can be directly compared for an evalu-ation of the analysis. In other words the device has previous-ly been provided with one or more colors which give a direct qualitative or quantitative measure of the substance to be de-tected and with which the color formed at the analysis can be compared. Preferably said windows) is ware) o-f course arrang-ed on the same segment where the color formed at the analysis develops so that those colors or shades to be compared are immediately adjacent each other.
Last-mentioned embodiment directly enables a visual reading and even if such a visual reading can be made with great accuracy it can some times be desirable to detect the color optically. The device according to the invention can of course also be constructed for this purpose so as to be able to be directly inserted into or on an instrument for an optical reading of the color developed. Also other detecting reagents than those which develop colors may be utilized and in such cases prior art is followed. Thus it should not be necessary to go into greater detail here. However, as examples thereof fluorescence and luminescence may be mentioned.
In some cases it can be desirable to stop the detecting reaction used in the analysis, e.g. after a certain ~3~ 7~
predetermined -time, in order t.o make an exact comparison be-tween the formed color and reference colors, and in such a case it is possible to provide the device with an extra seg-ment fitted with a site that contains an inhibitor for the utilized detecting reaction. This segment is then arranged so as to be able to be folded into contact with the segment on which the detecting reaction takes place, to inhibit or stop the detecting reaction.
An interesting application of the device according to the invention is represented by the case where the analysis includes a separation of a fluid phase, commonly a liquid phase, from a solid phase and a detection of a substance in the fluid phase. A preferred device in such a case is charact-erized in that the site on the first segment comprises o-f a container wherein the sample is intended to be applied to re-act with a solid phase reagent present in the container or alternatively to react to the formation of a solid phase, that the site on the second segment contains detecting reagent for the desired substance of the fluid phase, and that a third segment containing a separation arrangement that enables a passage of the fluid phase but not of the solid phase, is placed to be folded in between the container on the first segment and the detection site on the second segment. Thus in this case, when inverting the device the fluid phase and thereby the substance to be detected will come into contact with the detecting reagent without having any interference from the solid phase upon the detecting reaction.
In order to store the reagent in the container of the first segment protected from external influence before the sample is applied, the opening of the container is prefer-ably covered by some type of protecting layer e.g. a foil, ; which keeps the reagent in place prior to the application of the sample.
Another interesting application of the device according to the invention is its use in an enzyme immuno assay based on antigen-antibody reactions and wherein the device is cha-racterized by a first segment having a site made of a trans-7~7~
parent plastic for the applicatioll of the sample and prefer-ably also a second site :Eor a control sample, the plastic be-ing prepared with reagent in the form of antibody or antigen fixed thereto. Such a fixation of antigens or antibodies to plastic surfaces is well known and described in literature, see e.g. IMMUNOENZYMATIC TECHNIQUES (edited by S. Avrameas, P. Druet, R. Massayeff and G. Feldman) Elsevier Science Publi-sher~ Amsterdam/New York/Oxford, 1983. The device is further characterized by a second segment having a site with detecting reagent in the form of a chromogenic enzyme substrate, a third segment provided with a site with an absorbent pad with solub-le, optionally lyophilized enzyme-labelled antibody or anti-gen, said third segment being arranged to be folded to overlap the first segment before the second segment is folded to over-lap said first segment. Furthermore, the device contains aseparation arrangement in the form of absorbing material plac-ed in at least one well on the first segment in such a way that when washing liquid is applied onto the transparent plastic of the first segment to wash away unreacted reagent before the second segment is folded to overlap the first one, said washing solution is automatically absorbed by said ab-sorbing material.
As was mentioned above numeral functions can be built into the device according to the invention. Thus, it can also be provided with one or more further segments, which are of another kind than the previously described, chemically active parts. Examples of such interesting devices according to the invention is a device characterized in that it includes one or more further segments with instructions relating to the operational handling of the device and/or patient data or similar, which segments are also foldable in such a way that the segments can overlap each other in the desired sequence, or a device characterized by segments providing a closing mechanism that can be folded to seal the package.
In order to further build up or improve the self--instructing folding system, so as to eliminate to a very great extent the risks of an erroneous operation thereof, ~l~37~'7~
another interesting device according to the invention can be characterized by numbered or color-coded tabs which step by step give directions as to the order of opening the segments.
The device can also be designecl so as to be characterized by certain segments) that may be torn off so that they can be removed from the device after having been utilized. Por in-stance it may be suitable to retain only that or those seg-ment(s) on which the result of the analysis is read and on which optionally also data concerning e.g. patient identifi-cation, type of test, time or serial number are present orhave been noted.
As concerns the foldability of the segments and the overlappings of the different segments the device according to the invention is preferably designed in such a way that the segments can be folded to essentially overlap each other.
That is, all segments are from the beginning, i.e. with the device ready for use, folded so as to be on top of each other in any suitable order in one single pile. In this way the final package has a very compact shape, i.e. the shape of a match box with a foldable cover.
Moreover, the invention relates to use of the device described above for chemical analyses in general and especial-ly within the fields of medicine and agriculture. A preferable use in this connection is in immuno-chemical analyses, e.g.
~5 forenzyme immuno assay, fluorescence immuno assay and lumines-cence immuno assay, and analyses wherein hybridizat-on re-actions between nucleic acids are used.
DRAWINGS
The device according to the invention will now be des-cribed more in detail in connection with the accompanyingdrawings which show two preferable embodiments of the device.
Thus, in the drawings:
Fig. la shows a top view of a device containing six segments and wherein the separation means is represented by a special segment, Fig. lb is a side view showing four of the segments from Fig. la, Fig. 2 shows the devlce frorn Fig. 1a in the folded state and seen from above and from below, respectively, Figs. 3-4 show the analysis sequence when using the de-vice according to Fig. 1a for enzyme immuno analysis, Fig. 5a shows a top view cf a second device containing three segments and wherein the separation means is present on the first segment, Fig. 5b shows a bottom view of the device according to Fig. 5a, Fig. 5c shows a side view of the device according to Fig. 5a along an imagined cross sectional line X - X, Fig. 6a shows the device from Fig. 5a in a folded state seen from above and in a magnified scale of 2:1, Fig. 6b shows a side Yiew of the device from Fig. 5a in a folded state along an imagined cross sectional line X - X
and in a magnified scale of 2:1, Fig. 6c shows a side view of the device from Fig. 5a in a folded state along an imagined partial cross sectional line XI - XI and in a magnified scale of 2:1, Fig. 7 shows the analysis sequence when utilizing the device according to Fig. 5a for enzyme immuno analysis.
The device shown in Fig. 1 comprises a continuous sheet having six segments 6-11, of which segments 6-9 show chemical-ly active sites, while segments 10 and 11 represent logistic auxiliary segments for the chemical operation. Furthermore, some of the segments are provided with tabs numbered 1-5 in-tented to show the sequence for the opening of the device.
Finally, the Figure shows a smaller foldable segment l in-tended for sealing the device.
More specifically the segment 6 comprises a reaction container 13 containing a solid phase reagent 14 and covered by a foil 15. The segment 7 is provided with an area 16 that is a filter paper, while the segment 8 contains a chemically active surface 17 in the form of an enzyme substrate and a protecting, transparent plastic foil 18. The segment 9 in turn has a chemically active surface 19 in the form of an enzyme inhibitor.
I. ,. ..
7~'7~
As was mentioned above Fig. 2 shows the device in a folded state and seen :Erom below and above, respectively, the reference numerals being the same as in Fig. 1. ~lowever, jig.
device for chemical analyses and use thereof.
__ TEC~INICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the field ox chemical analyses and more specifically to a device for performing such as well as to a use of said device. Analyses to which the present invention is applicable are such, wherein the sample to be tested is contacted with reagent(s) reacting with the sample to form a detectable substance, which in turn is de-tected for a qualitative or a quantitative determination thereof. The invention is especially interesting within the field of medicine, e.g. immuno-chemical analyses, but is not limited thereto as the basic idea of the invention is appli-cable to a variety of analyses of the kind referred to above.
BACKGROUND OF THE lNVENTION
In immuno-chemical analyses, such as enzyme immuno assay (EIA) or fluorescence immuno assay (FIA), free labelled antibody or antigen must in most cases be separated from the labelled antigen-antibody complex. This is commonly accompli-shed by means of a solid phase that can be present e.g. in the form of a particle or a surface, either the free labelled component or the complex being retained by the solid phase on the basis of molecular size, adsorption or different types of chemical (including immuno-chemical) bonding. Typical for such analyses today is thaw they require several liquid pro-cessing steps for carrying out the reaction sequence. For that reason most immuno-chemical analyses are, with the tech-nique used today, limited to laboratories having trained personnel.
By means of the device according to the invention it has been shown to be possible to considerably facilitate and simplify the processing and operational steps of analyses of the above-mentioned type so that they can be performed also by non-trained personnel, e.g. doctors and nurses in offices and hospitals. The device is even simple enough to be handled ~7~
in many cases by the patient himself. Furthermore, an im-portant factor in the last-mentioned connection is that due to its very simple construction the device can Qlso be made very inexpensively, which means that it might achieve a wide spread commercial use, at least for some qualitative and semi-quantitative tests where certain states of illness can be confirmed by the patient himself before there is a need for any consultation with a doctor.
However, as was mentioned above the device is in no way limited to use in connection with immuno-chemical analy-ses, but for the sake of simplicity and for a better under-standing it will still be described more in detail below in connection therewith. In this context it could also be added that the described analyses and the reagents utilized in connection therewith are well known and are disclosed in numerous references. Thus it should not be necessary to re-peat details thereabout here since these can be found in suit-able literature within the field. For examples of techniques used within the field of immuno-chemical analyses reference is made to the techniques described in Swedish Patent Appli-cation Ser.No. 8205751-4. However, nor is said literature reference intended to be in any way exhaustive within this field.
For the purpose of elucidating the invention even more Z5 as well as the technical field to which it relates it should also be added that it bears no relation to those numerous simple diffusion devices which are disclosed in the litera-ture, i.e. where a sample either passively or by means of capillary forces is allowed to diffuse through one or more chemically active layers. Examples of references which dis-close devices of this kind are US A 3,511,608, GB 2,031,583, EP 64,392, US A 4,066,403 and EP 51,183. As far as these are concerned it should be pointed out that those overlapping segments which are disclosed in US A 3,511,608 or those fold-able sheets which are disclosed in GB 2,031,583 and EP 64,392 relate to possible manufacturing methods for diffus-ion devices but have no functional purpose for the execution ~3 of the analysis, during which time said segments or sheets are permanently connected to one another itl one single piece.
Although there in e.g. GB 2,031,538 and EP 6~,392 are flaps which are foldable to the user, these flaps are only used as protective lids or covers and do not take part in the chemi-cal or analytical process.
The device according to the invention differs essen-tially from the above-mentioned devices through the fact that it is not based upon any diffusion principle. Instead the analysis is performed step by step as in the laboratory.
The novelty of the concept is that liquid samples and reagents need not be transferred between test tubes or test cups by repeated pipetting operations. Instead samples, reagents and even a wash-ing function are contained on surfaces of the device. Transfer of samples or reagents between the surfaces is accomplished by a simple folding action. This offers considerable advantages over multilayer diffusion elements of the type that are disclosed in e.g. US A 4,066,403 and EP 51,183. The user retains full control of the timing of the different reaction steps, while the timing for diffusion devices of the multilayer type can be varied only by the manufacturer by choice of layer mate-rial and even then merely to a limited extent. Moreover, the device according to the invention can be utilized for the analysis of most substances without a need for any major modification of its basic structure or design. In immuno--chemical analyses there are substances of extremely varying size, from drugs having a molecular weight of not more than 500 to whole cells and bacteria which are a thousand million times larger. As substances of different size diffuse at different rates, diffusion devices therefore have an additio-nal drawback in that it is necessary to adjust the types of layers for each kind of analyte. Finally, it should be added that the method of manufacture and the storage properties of the device according to the invention are based on establish-ed technology while these factors have proven to be difficultto master in practice for immuno-chemical diffusion devices of the multilayer type.
~3 DISCL,OSURE OF T~!E INVENTION
The device according to the invention can hriefly be described as a complete test kit for performing an analysis of the above-mentioned type wherein all chemically active parts which are necessary for carrying out the analysis are built into the device, i.e. there is no need to perform any stage of the analysis outside the device per se. These che-mically active parts are arranged or mounted in such a way that they are contacted with the sample and each other by a simple folding system. Furthermore, said folding system can be made completely self-instructing i.e. instructions for performing the analysis may be included within the folding system and it is also possible to include a number of num-bered or color-coded tabs as part of the folding system, which tabs give stepwise directions for the operational sequence.
In addition thereto the device also includes as an integral part a result display which for instance in the form of a color or fluorescence gives a positive, negative or optional-ly quantitative response. In other words, all necessary re-agents and reaction steps can be built into a very simple, compact and inexpensive construction, whLch offers hitherto unrealized opportunities, especially within the field of medicine.
More specifically, the device according to the invent-ion is characterized in that it comprises a continuous sheet having two or more segments, the first of which contains a site where the contact between sample and reagent can take place, and a second one contains a site where the presence of a desired detectable substance can be shown, the segments being foldable in such a way that they can overlap each other as desired in order to accomplish the required reactions. The site on the first segment preferably contains the designated reagent initially, i.e. said reagent is present or included in the device so that it need not be prepared before the analysis in question can be started. This is applicable also to the detecting reagent on the second segment, i.e. also this reagent can, if required, be present in the device from the beginning.
Characteristic of the invention is also that the de-vice also includes at 'Least one arrangement for the separat-ion of excess reagent, i.e. reagent that has not reacted during the contact between e.g. sample and reagent(s), said arrangement being placed so as to be able to exercise its function before the presence of detectable substance is shown.
In other words the basic idea of the present invention is a number of segments with incorporated reagents which 10 segments are connected to each other into one continuous , structure and in such a way that they can be folded so that desired reagents come into contact with each other. While the simplest and accordingly the most inexpensive construct-ion would be one where said sheet is represented by one '15 single piece, e.g. in the form of a paper sheet or plastics sheet with folding lines, along which the given segments can be folded on top of each other, the term "continuous sheet"
is intended to mean any construction where the different segments are connected to each other. Thus, the invention can of course also be applied by manufacturing separate seg-ments, which segments are then linked to each other by means of a linking mechanism of the hinge type or similar. Such more sophisticated devices should be applicable primarily to devices which are intended to be used several times, e.g. by using such sites containing chemical reagents which are easily exchangeable, but in many cases the device is intended for disposal after use and in these cases a simple foldable material should be preferable for economical reasons.
Often analyses of the type referred to include a step where one or more components or reactants are to be separat-ed from the other components or reactants before detection can or should be started. For instance this is applicable to the separation of a liquid from a solid phase (solid phase reagent or a solid phase formed by the reaction). Particular-ly for these types of analyses the device according to theinvention has turned out to be especially interesting, since also this separation operation is built in the very compact ~3'79 and easy to operate clevice. The only reagent or accessory which may possibly need to be added external]y is .- washing liquid which it may be preferable to handle separately for practical purposes, especially since this washing liquid is often chemically stable and in many cases even consists of ordinary water. Nor does the utilization of a washing liquid require any exactness contrary to what is generally the case with reagents.
The separation arrangement can for instance be a third segment provided with a separation element or medium, which segment is arranged or mounted to be folded in between the above-mentioned first and second segments respectively to accomplish the desired separation. As to such a separation arrangement it should be noted that, as is the case also for the other reagents used, it is chosen completely in conformity with prior art. In many cases it should be possible simply to utilize a filter paper to obtain the desired function, which of course also keeps the price down.
According to another preferable embodiment of the in-vention the arrangement for separation of the reagent is oneor more separation o r absorption media arranged adja-cent to the site on the first segment. In other words no extra segment is utilized in this case but said arrangement is in-cluded in the segment on which the contact between sample and reagent takes place. The fact that said media are arranged adjacent to said site on the first segment in prin-ciple means that they should be able to be activated merely by application of liquid, i.e. generally washing liquid in an amount exceeding the volume that is used for the applicat-ion of the sample. In other words liquid will automaticallybe sucked up by the absorbing medium. This can be accomplish-ed by arranging an absorbing material in at least one well or container in the first segment, which well or container has an opening allowing an inflow of liquid from the site on the first segment.
In some cases the analysis comprises of reactions in several steps before the detection can be performed. In spite ~l~3~7~
of its simplicity the device according to the invention is use-ful also in such cases, viz. by simply including therein further segments which contain the desired reagents) and which are mounted to be folded ln in any suitable sequence to accomplish a reaction with the sample or with a reaction product formed in any preceding step.
Another embodiment of the device according to the in-vention is a device which contains an extra segment merely in-tended for the application of the test sample or for a dilut-tion thereof before it is folded by means of said ext-ra seg-ment into contact with a reagent on another segment.
Still another embodiment of the device according to the invention is a device wherein the detecting reagent is a color-forming reagent and wherein one of the segments contains one or more windows with reference color or colors. with which the color formed can be directly compared for an evalu-ation of the analysis. In other words the device has previous-ly been provided with one or more colors which give a direct qualitative or quantitative measure of the substance to be de-tected and with which the color formed at the analysis can be compared. Preferably said windows) is ware) o-f course arrang-ed on the same segment where the color formed at the analysis develops so that those colors or shades to be compared are immediately adjacent each other.
Last-mentioned embodiment directly enables a visual reading and even if such a visual reading can be made with great accuracy it can some times be desirable to detect the color optically. The device according to the invention can of course also be constructed for this purpose so as to be able to be directly inserted into or on an instrument for an optical reading of the color developed. Also other detecting reagents than those which develop colors may be utilized and in such cases prior art is followed. Thus it should not be necessary to go into greater detail here. However, as examples thereof fluorescence and luminescence may be mentioned.
In some cases it can be desirable to stop the detecting reaction used in the analysis, e.g. after a certain ~3~ 7~
predetermined -time, in order t.o make an exact comparison be-tween the formed color and reference colors, and in such a case it is possible to provide the device with an extra seg-ment fitted with a site that contains an inhibitor for the utilized detecting reaction. This segment is then arranged so as to be able to be folded into contact with the segment on which the detecting reaction takes place, to inhibit or stop the detecting reaction.
An interesting application of the device according to the invention is represented by the case where the analysis includes a separation of a fluid phase, commonly a liquid phase, from a solid phase and a detection of a substance in the fluid phase. A preferred device in such a case is charact-erized in that the site on the first segment comprises o-f a container wherein the sample is intended to be applied to re-act with a solid phase reagent present in the container or alternatively to react to the formation of a solid phase, that the site on the second segment contains detecting reagent for the desired substance of the fluid phase, and that a third segment containing a separation arrangement that enables a passage of the fluid phase but not of the solid phase, is placed to be folded in between the container on the first segment and the detection site on the second segment. Thus in this case, when inverting the device the fluid phase and thereby the substance to be detected will come into contact with the detecting reagent without having any interference from the solid phase upon the detecting reaction.
In order to store the reagent in the container of the first segment protected from external influence before the sample is applied, the opening of the container is prefer-ably covered by some type of protecting layer e.g. a foil, ; which keeps the reagent in place prior to the application of the sample.
Another interesting application of the device according to the invention is its use in an enzyme immuno assay based on antigen-antibody reactions and wherein the device is cha-racterized by a first segment having a site made of a trans-7~7~
parent plastic for the applicatioll of the sample and prefer-ably also a second site :Eor a control sample, the plastic be-ing prepared with reagent in the form of antibody or antigen fixed thereto. Such a fixation of antigens or antibodies to plastic surfaces is well known and described in literature, see e.g. IMMUNOENZYMATIC TECHNIQUES (edited by S. Avrameas, P. Druet, R. Massayeff and G. Feldman) Elsevier Science Publi-sher~ Amsterdam/New York/Oxford, 1983. The device is further characterized by a second segment having a site with detecting reagent in the form of a chromogenic enzyme substrate, a third segment provided with a site with an absorbent pad with solub-le, optionally lyophilized enzyme-labelled antibody or anti-gen, said third segment being arranged to be folded to overlap the first segment before the second segment is folded to over-lap said first segment. Furthermore, the device contains aseparation arrangement in the form of absorbing material plac-ed in at least one well on the first segment in such a way that when washing liquid is applied onto the transparent plastic of the first segment to wash away unreacted reagent before the second segment is folded to overlap the first one, said washing solution is automatically absorbed by said ab-sorbing material.
As was mentioned above numeral functions can be built into the device according to the invention. Thus, it can also be provided with one or more further segments, which are of another kind than the previously described, chemically active parts. Examples of such interesting devices according to the invention is a device characterized in that it includes one or more further segments with instructions relating to the operational handling of the device and/or patient data or similar, which segments are also foldable in such a way that the segments can overlap each other in the desired sequence, or a device characterized by segments providing a closing mechanism that can be folded to seal the package.
In order to further build up or improve the self--instructing folding system, so as to eliminate to a very great extent the risks of an erroneous operation thereof, ~l~37~'7~
another interesting device according to the invention can be characterized by numbered or color-coded tabs which step by step give directions as to the order of opening the segments.
The device can also be designecl so as to be characterized by certain segments) that may be torn off so that they can be removed from the device after having been utilized. Por in-stance it may be suitable to retain only that or those seg-ment(s) on which the result of the analysis is read and on which optionally also data concerning e.g. patient identifi-cation, type of test, time or serial number are present orhave been noted.
As concerns the foldability of the segments and the overlappings of the different segments the device according to the invention is preferably designed in such a way that the segments can be folded to essentially overlap each other.
That is, all segments are from the beginning, i.e. with the device ready for use, folded so as to be on top of each other in any suitable order in one single pile. In this way the final package has a very compact shape, i.e. the shape of a match box with a foldable cover.
Moreover, the invention relates to use of the device described above for chemical analyses in general and especial-ly within the fields of medicine and agriculture. A preferable use in this connection is in immuno-chemical analyses, e.g.
~5 forenzyme immuno assay, fluorescence immuno assay and lumines-cence immuno assay, and analyses wherein hybridizat-on re-actions between nucleic acids are used.
DRAWINGS
The device according to the invention will now be des-cribed more in detail in connection with the accompanyingdrawings which show two preferable embodiments of the device.
Thus, in the drawings:
Fig. la shows a top view of a device containing six segments and wherein the separation means is represented by a special segment, Fig. lb is a side view showing four of the segments from Fig. la, Fig. 2 shows the devlce frorn Fig. 1a in the folded state and seen from above and from below, respectively, Figs. 3-4 show the analysis sequence when using the de-vice according to Fig. 1a for enzyme immuno analysis, Fig. 5a shows a top view cf a second device containing three segments and wherein the separation means is present on the first segment, Fig. 5b shows a bottom view of the device according to Fig. 5a, Fig. 5c shows a side view of the device according to Fig. 5a along an imagined cross sectional line X - X, Fig. 6a shows the device from Fig. 5a in a folded state seen from above and in a magnified scale of 2:1, Fig. 6b shows a side Yiew of the device from Fig. 5a in a folded state along an imagined cross sectional line X - X
and in a magnified scale of 2:1, Fig. 6c shows a side view of the device from Fig. 5a in a folded state along an imagined partial cross sectional line XI - XI and in a magnified scale of 2:1, Fig. 7 shows the analysis sequence when utilizing the device according to Fig. 5a for enzyme immuno analysis.
The device shown in Fig. 1 comprises a continuous sheet having six segments 6-11, of which segments 6-9 show chemical-ly active sites, while segments 10 and 11 represent logistic auxiliary segments for the chemical operation. Furthermore, some of the segments are provided with tabs numbered 1-5 in-tented to show the sequence for the opening of the device.
Finally, the Figure shows a smaller foldable segment l in-tended for sealing the device.
More specifically the segment 6 comprises a reaction container 13 containing a solid phase reagent 14 and covered by a foil 15. The segment 7 is provided with an area 16 that is a filter paper, while the segment 8 contains a chemically active surface 17 in the form of an enzyme substrate and a protecting, transparent plastic foil 18. The segment 9 in turn has a chemically active surface 19 in the form of an enzyme inhibitor.
I. ,. ..
7~'7~
As was mentioned above Fig. 2 shows the device in a folded state and seen :Erom below and above, respectively, the reference numerals being the same as in Fig. 1. ~lowever, jig.
2 also shows two color reagent windows 20 with which the co-lor of surface l7 formed at the analysis can be compared.
As concerns the handling of the device shown referenceis made to Figs. 3-4, wherein sequences numbered I-IX are shown, which sequences can be described as follows.
I. The kit or package is broken and opened by tab 1.
The name as well as the data of the patient can be noted where indicated by means of a pen 21.
II. Tab 2 is opened. The sample is added to the react-ion container 13 by means of a test stick 22 by which the foil 15 is punched. The sample is mixed into the reaction mixture 14 with the test stick. Then the sample is allowed to incubate for a suitable time. Flap 2 can then be resealed, if desired.
III. After the incubation tab 2 is reopened if it has been sealed.
IV. Tab 3 is opened whereby the filter paper surface 16 is exposed, and below said surface there is an enzyme sub-strate surface 17. The segment with the filter paper 16 is then folded over the reagent container 13.
V. The device is inverted momentarily.
VI. Then tab 4 is opened which exposes the enzyme sub-strate surface 17 and the enzyme inhibitor surface 19.
VII. The surface 19 is folded so as to cover surface17 by means of tab 5 in order to stop the optional enzyme re-action. After the folding these surfaces remain adhered to each other as they are in the case shown provided with an ad-hesive of the type that enables an opening and a resealing operation.
VIII. The other segments can now be torn or stripped off. On the two remaining segments which adhere to each other the name and data ox the patient may be found.
IX. Through the window on the opposite side of the remaining segments the color reaction obtained is read by a comparison with the reference colors in window 20.
7~)7~91l3 As concerns the exemplified reaction the color reaction is dependent on the amount ox enzyme which has not been takcn up by the solid phase 14 in the reaction container 13. Thus, the reaction system of the reaction container 13 has such a composition that the amount of enzyme taken up by the solid phase 14 is directly dependent on the presence of antigen or antibody, respectively, in the sample. At the inversion of Fig. 3, step V, the sample is filtered through the filter pa-per 16 which prevents the solid phase 14 of reaching the en-zyme substrate surface 17.
The device shown in Figs. 5 and 6 shows three segments30-32 which all take active part in the analytical process.
Furthermore, segments 31 and 32 are provided with color coded tabs 33 and 34 to show the sequence of opening the device.
The segment 30 contains a transparent plastic surface 35 to which an antibody (or antigen) is chemically or physi-cally fixed. On the plastic surface 35 there is a spot 36 marked for a sample and a spot 37 marked for a control or stan-dard. Around the plastic surface 35 there is a built-in sepa-ration arrangement in the form of absorbent media 48 in wells on the bottom plate 51.
The segment 31 contains a well 50, on the opposite con-vex side 38 of which there is attached an absorbent pad 39 which contains a chromogenic enzyme substrate. In the cor-responding way there is a rise in the segment 32 on the upperconvex side 40 to which is attached an absorbent pad 41 which contains an enzyme-labelled antibody or antigen). As concerns pads 39 and 41 they are arranged so as to each overlap the plastic surface 35 by a suitable folding of the segment 31 or 32, respectively. The pad which is not in operation rests in the concave recess (49 or 50, respectively) that has been formed on the opposite side of the other pad.
The folding of the segments is facilitated by folding lines 42. At ye folded starting position shown in Fig. 6 the segment 31 is folded against the bottom side of segment 32, it being locked by a snapping lock 43. The segment 32 is in turn folded against segment 30, it being locked by those two 7~7~
lock,ing pins 44 which are reversibly locked in wells 45 ox segment 30.'~e indentat,ion 46 of,,se~lent 32 enab:lcs the e~asPin~
of tab 34 when segment 31 is opened, while the indentation 47 also enables a folding of segment 31 against the top side of segment 32 with a retained possibility of folding and lock-ing segment 32 against segment 30 with the locking pins 44.
As concerns the operation of the device shown in Figs. 5-6 reference is made to Fi,g. 7, in which sequences numbered XX - XXVI are marked, which sequences can be des-cribed as follows:
XX. The package is opened by tab 33. If desired,name and data of the patient can be noted on the back side of the package.
XXI. The sample is applied to the spot 36 on the sur-face 35. If the sample is liquid, this can be accomplishede.g. by applying a drop of sample on the surface. In the corresponding way a control or standard is applied to spot 37.
If the substance to be tested is present in the sample, con-trol or standard it reacts with and is bound to the antibody (or antigen) which is fixed to the plastic surface 35.
XXII. The packacke is reseal~d~Thereby a second analysis step is started. If the substance to be tested is present it now reacts also with and is bound to the soluble, enzyme--labelled antibody or antigen) which is present in the ab-sorbent pad 41. Thereby this enzyme-labelled antibody will also be indirectly bound to the plastic surface 35 by the previous and still continuing reaction o-f step XXI.
XXIII. After a suitable reaction time the package is reopened by tub 33. Washing liquid is now dropped onto surface 35 which is thereby washed free from soluble, enzyme-labelled antibody that has not reacted with the test-ed substance.
XXIV. By means of tab 34 segment 31 is now opened and folded on top of segment 32.
XXV. The package is resealed. Thereby the detecting reaction is started. Enzyme-labelled antibody that has re-acted in the first reaction step transforms the chromogenic 7~7'~
I
en-yme substrate on if absorberlt pacl .;9 into a colored substance .
V~. for the proper reaetion tirne the result ij read on the back side of the package through the transparel1t plastic surface 35. The color formed on the test spot 36 is compared with the result of the control reaction on spot 37 or with reference colors.
As concerns the exemplified analytical sequence it may further be added that the color reaction is directly depend-ent on the amount of enzyme that is present on the surface35 after the washing step XXIII. This amount is in turn directly dependent on the presence of the tested substance in the sample which is able to bind enzyme-labelled antibody (or antigen) and is at the same time bound to antibody (antigen) fixed on the surface 35.
EXAMPLE
The following working examples are intended to elucidate the device according to the invention more in detail. These examples describe the application of the device to the deter-'0 mination of a small as well as a very largeprotein and a virus.
For all applications a device according to Figs. 5-6 in a scale 1:1 was used. The segments 30-32 were manufactured from polyvinyl chloride ~PVC). The transparent plastic sur-face 35 consisted of a rectangular slide made of immuno~rade polystyrene ~Nunc A/S, Roskilde, Denmark), with marked circu-lar spots 36 and 38 on the surface. Antibody was fixed to these spots as will be described for each type of application.
The absorbing material 38 of the separation arrangement was manufactured from cellulose sponge ~Wettex~ , Celloplast AB, Norrkoping, Sweden). For the absorbent pads 39 and l Whatman~ 3~l filter paper ~Whatman Ltd., Maidstone, Kent, U.K.~ was used. These filter paper pads were impregnated with reagents as will be described for each type of application.
For the assay of thyroglobulin the device was provided with an extra segment, the sole purpose of which was to pro-vide a cover for surface 35, to prevent evaporation of the sample.
Assay for human chorionic gonadotropin luman chorionic gonadotropin (hCG is a small protein with a molecular weight o-~ approx. 46 000. The assay is use-Eul in the diagnosis of pregnancy.
Preparation of the device.
Antibody was fixed to the plastic slide 35 by applying 75 Al of monoclonal anti-alpha subuni-t ox hCG antibody (clone 5503, Oy Medix Ab, Kauniainen, Finland) in a concentration of 10 ~g,'ml diluent, to each of spots 36 and 37. The diluent (abbreviated PBS) was 0.05 mol/l sodium phosphate, 0.15 mol/l NaCl, pH 7.2. The slides were incubated in a humidity chanlber for 18 h at 4C. They were then rinsed with approx. 10 ml washing solution (abbreviated PBS-Tween), consisting ox 0.05%
Tween~-20 (Merck, Hohenbrunn, Germany) in PBS. Thereafter the slides were submerged in a dish containing a solution (abbre-viated PBS-BSA) consisting of 1% w/v bovine serum albumin (Sigma Chemical Co., St.Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.) in PBS and incubated 90 min at room temperature. Subsequently the slides were again rinsed with approx. 10 ml PBS-Tween, followed by 10 ml distilled water and left to dry.
The absorbent pad 41 was impregnated with a solution of peroxidase conjugated monoclonal anti-beta subunit of hCG
antibody (Sensi-Chrome Conjugate Reagent, Hoffman-La Roche Inc., Nutley, New- Jersey, U.S.A), undiluted. The absorbent pad 39 was impregnated with a chromogenic substrate solution of 0.42 mmol/l 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine, l.4 mmol/l urea peroxide in 0.1 mol/l sodium acetate/citric acid buffer, pH 6.0, prepared as described by E.S. Bos et al. (1981), J. Immunoassay 2, 187.
Execution of the assay The assay was performed essentially as illustrated in Fig. 7 with sequences XX-XXVI. However, the following details of samples, volumes, times and other conditions may be added.
As samples for the assay, Lyphochek~ I and II human control urines ~Bio-Rad Laboratories,Inc., Anaheim, Califor-nia, U.S.A.) with stated hCG concentrations of 3,900 and 550 international units per liter, respectively, were used.
These samples were further diluted with a known negative
As concerns the handling of the device shown referenceis made to Figs. 3-4, wherein sequences numbered I-IX are shown, which sequences can be described as follows.
I. The kit or package is broken and opened by tab 1.
The name as well as the data of the patient can be noted where indicated by means of a pen 21.
II. Tab 2 is opened. The sample is added to the react-ion container 13 by means of a test stick 22 by which the foil 15 is punched. The sample is mixed into the reaction mixture 14 with the test stick. Then the sample is allowed to incubate for a suitable time. Flap 2 can then be resealed, if desired.
III. After the incubation tab 2 is reopened if it has been sealed.
IV. Tab 3 is opened whereby the filter paper surface 16 is exposed, and below said surface there is an enzyme sub-strate surface 17. The segment with the filter paper 16 is then folded over the reagent container 13.
V. The device is inverted momentarily.
VI. Then tab 4 is opened which exposes the enzyme sub-strate surface 17 and the enzyme inhibitor surface 19.
VII. The surface 19 is folded so as to cover surface17 by means of tab 5 in order to stop the optional enzyme re-action. After the folding these surfaces remain adhered to each other as they are in the case shown provided with an ad-hesive of the type that enables an opening and a resealing operation.
VIII. The other segments can now be torn or stripped off. On the two remaining segments which adhere to each other the name and data ox the patient may be found.
IX. Through the window on the opposite side of the remaining segments the color reaction obtained is read by a comparison with the reference colors in window 20.
7~)7~91l3 As concerns the exemplified reaction the color reaction is dependent on the amount ox enzyme which has not been takcn up by the solid phase 14 in the reaction container 13. Thus, the reaction system of the reaction container 13 has such a composition that the amount of enzyme taken up by the solid phase 14 is directly dependent on the presence of antigen or antibody, respectively, in the sample. At the inversion of Fig. 3, step V, the sample is filtered through the filter pa-per 16 which prevents the solid phase 14 of reaching the en-zyme substrate surface 17.
The device shown in Figs. 5 and 6 shows three segments30-32 which all take active part in the analytical process.
Furthermore, segments 31 and 32 are provided with color coded tabs 33 and 34 to show the sequence of opening the device.
The segment 30 contains a transparent plastic surface 35 to which an antibody (or antigen) is chemically or physi-cally fixed. On the plastic surface 35 there is a spot 36 marked for a sample and a spot 37 marked for a control or stan-dard. Around the plastic surface 35 there is a built-in sepa-ration arrangement in the form of absorbent media 48 in wells on the bottom plate 51.
The segment 31 contains a well 50, on the opposite con-vex side 38 of which there is attached an absorbent pad 39 which contains a chromogenic enzyme substrate. In the cor-responding way there is a rise in the segment 32 on the upperconvex side 40 to which is attached an absorbent pad 41 which contains an enzyme-labelled antibody or antigen). As concerns pads 39 and 41 they are arranged so as to each overlap the plastic surface 35 by a suitable folding of the segment 31 or 32, respectively. The pad which is not in operation rests in the concave recess (49 or 50, respectively) that has been formed on the opposite side of the other pad.
The folding of the segments is facilitated by folding lines 42. At ye folded starting position shown in Fig. 6 the segment 31 is folded against the bottom side of segment 32, it being locked by a snapping lock 43. The segment 32 is in turn folded against segment 30, it being locked by those two 7~7~
lock,ing pins 44 which are reversibly locked in wells 45 ox segment 30.'~e indentat,ion 46 of,,se~lent 32 enab:lcs the e~asPin~
of tab 34 when segment 31 is opened, while the indentation 47 also enables a folding of segment 31 against the top side of segment 32 with a retained possibility of folding and lock-ing segment 32 against segment 30 with the locking pins 44.
As concerns the operation of the device shown in Figs. 5-6 reference is made to Fi,g. 7, in which sequences numbered XX - XXVI are marked, which sequences can be des-cribed as follows:
XX. The package is opened by tab 33. If desired,name and data of the patient can be noted on the back side of the package.
XXI. The sample is applied to the spot 36 on the sur-face 35. If the sample is liquid, this can be accomplishede.g. by applying a drop of sample on the surface. In the corresponding way a control or standard is applied to spot 37.
If the substance to be tested is present in the sample, con-trol or standard it reacts with and is bound to the antibody (or antigen) which is fixed to the plastic surface 35.
XXII. The packacke is reseal~d~Thereby a second analysis step is started. If the substance to be tested is present it now reacts also with and is bound to the soluble, enzyme--labelled antibody or antigen) which is present in the ab-sorbent pad 41. Thereby this enzyme-labelled antibody will also be indirectly bound to the plastic surface 35 by the previous and still continuing reaction o-f step XXI.
XXIII. After a suitable reaction time the package is reopened by tub 33. Washing liquid is now dropped onto surface 35 which is thereby washed free from soluble, enzyme-labelled antibody that has not reacted with the test-ed substance.
XXIV. By means of tab 34 segment 31 is now opened and folded on top of segment 32.
XXV. The package is resealed. Thereby the detecting reaction is started. Enzyme-labelled antibody that has re-acted in the first reaction step transforms the chromogenic 7~7'~
I
en-yme substrate on if absorberlt pacl .;9 into a colored substance .
V~. for the proper reaetion tirne the result ij read on the back side of the package through the transparel1t plastic surface 35. The color formed on the test spot 36 is compared with the result of the control reaction on spot 37 or with reference colors.
As concerns the exemplified analytical sequence it may further be added that the color reaction is directly depend-ent on the amount of enzyme that is present on the surface35 after the washing step XXIII. This amount is in turn directly dependent on the presence of the tested substance in the sample which is able to bind enzyme-labelled antibody (or antigen) and is at the same time bound to antibody (antigen) fixed on the surface 35.
EXAMPLE
The following working examples are intended to elucidate the device according to the invention more in detail. These examples describe the application of the device to the deter-'0 mination of a small as well as a very largeprotein and a virus.
For all applications a device according to Figs. 5-6 in a scale 1:1 was used. The segments 30-32 were manufactured from polyvinyl chloride ~PVC). The transparent plastic sur-face 35 consisted of a rectangular slide made of immuno~rade polystyrene ~Nunc A/S, Roskilde, Denmark), with marked circu-lar spots 36 and 38 on the surface. Antibody was fixed to these spots as will be described for each type of application.
The absorbing material 38 of the separation arrangement was manufactured from cellulose sponge ~Wettex~ , Celloplast AB, Norrkoping, Sweden). For the absorbent pads 39 and l Whatman~ 3~l filter paper ~Whatman Ltd., Maidstone, Kent, U.K.~ was used. These filter paper pads were impregnated with reagents as will be described for each type of application.
For the assay of thyroglobulin the device was provided with an extra segment, the sole purpose of which was to pro-vide a cover for surface 35, to prevent evaporation of the sample.
Assay for human chorionic gonadotropin luman chorionic gonadotropin (hCG is a small protein with a molecular weight o-~ approx. 46 000. The assay is use-Eul in the diagnosis of pregnancy.
Preparation of the device.
Antibody was fixed to the plastic slide 35 by applying 75 Al of monoclonal anti-alpha subuni-t ox hCG antibody (clone 5503, Oy Medix Ab, Kauniainen, Finland) in a concentration of 10 ~g,'ml diluent, to each of spots 36 and 37. The diluent (abbreviated PBS) was 0.05 mol/l sodium phosphate, 0.15 mol/l NaCl, pH 7.2. The slides were incubated in a humidity chanlber for 18 h at 4C. They were then rinsed with approx. 10 ml washing solution (abbreviated PBS-Tween), consisting ox 0.05%
Tween~-20 (Merck, Hohenbrunn, Germany) in PBS. Thereafter the slides were submerged in a dish containing a solution (abbre-viated PBS-BSA) consisting of 1% w/v bovine serum albumin (Sigma Chemical Co., St.Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.) in PBS and incubated 90 min at room temperature. Subsequently the slides were again rinsed with approx. 10 ml PBS-Tween, followed by 10 ml distilled water and left to dry.
The absorbent pad 41 was impregnated with a solution of peroxidase conjugated monoclonal anti-beta subunit of hCG
antibody (Sensi-Chrome Conjugate Reagent, Hoffman-La Roche Inc., Nutley, New- Jersey, U.S.A), undiluted. The absorbent pad 39 was impregnated with a chromogenic substrate solution of 0.42 mmol/l 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine, l.4 mmol/l urea peroxide in 0.1 mol/l sodium acetate/citric acid buffer, pH 6.0, prepared as described by E.S. Bos et al. (1981), J. Immunoassay 2, 187.
Execution of the assay The assay was performed essentially as illustrated in Fig. 7 with sequences XX-XXVI. However, the following details of samples, volumes, times and other conditions may be added.
As samples for the assay, Lyphochek~ I and II human control urines ~Bio-Rad Laboratories,Inc., Anaheim, Califor-nia, U.S.A.) with stated hCG concentrations of 3,900 and 550 international units per liter, respectively, were used.
These samples were further diluted with a known negative
3~7~
l7 urine samp]e lo 4 and l:8. The known negative urine sample was used as a blank The device was opened al1d 1 drop of approx. 50 l oE
each sample was applied to spot 36 ancl the same volume ox blank to spot 37. The device was then closed by folding segment 3' upon segment 30 to transfer the conjugated anti-body in absorbent pad 41 onto the plastic surface 35. The device was left closed and incubated for 15 min at room tem~eratllre.
- The device was then reopened to expose surface 35, which was washed with approc. 1 ml PBS-Tween. Segment 31 was then folded onto segment 30 to transfer the chr~mogenic sub-strate in absorbent pad 39 onto plastic surface 35. The de-vice was again left closed and incubated for 5 min. at room temperature. The color reaction was then immediately read on the back of the device through the transparent plastic at spots 36 and 37. A faint blue color was designated "+", a distinct blue color "++" and a strong blue color "+~+". The assay results were compared to a commercially available pregnancy test, Sensi-ChromeTM (Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., Nutley, New Jersey, U.S.A.), run in parallel in test tubes.
Results Sample Device according Sensi-ChromeTM
to the invention procedure _ 25 Known negative urine sample Lyphochek II 1:16 Lyphochek II 1:8 + +
Lyphochek~ II 1:4 ++ ++
Lyphochek~ II 1:2 +++ +++
30 Lyphochek~ II +++ +++
Lyphochek I +++ +++
..
Assay for human_thyroglobulin Human thyroglobulin is a relatively large protein with a molecular weigh-t of approx. 660,000. The assay is useful in the monitoring of thyroid cancer.
Preparation of the device - Antibody was fixed to the plastic slide 35 by applying 75 Al of monoclonal anti-human thyroglobulin antibody (clone \
TP-33, Novo Industri A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) in a concentrat-ion of 1()~g/m]diluent, to each of spots 36 and 37. The dilucnt abbreviated PBS) was 0.05 mo]/l sodium phosphate, 0.15 mol/l NaCl, pH 7.2. The slides were :incubated in a humidity charnber for l8 h at 4C. They were then rinsed with approx. 25 ml washing solution (abbreviated PBS-Tween), consisting of 0.05%
Tween -20 (Merck, Hohenbrunn, Germany) in PBS. Thereafter the slides were submerged in a dish containing a solution abbreviated PBS-BSA) consisting of 1% w/v bovine serum albu min (Sigma Chemical Co., St.Louis, Missouri, IJ.S.A.) in PBS-Tween and incubated 45 min at room temperature. Subsequently the slides were again rinsed with approx 25 ml PBS-Tween, followed by 25 ml distilled water and finally dried under a flow of compressed air.
The absorbent pad 41 was impregnated with a solution of peroxidase conjugated rabbit anti-human thyroglobulin (Dakopatts A/S, Glostrup, Denmark diluted 1:500 in PBS-BSA.
The absorbent pad 39 was impregnated with a chromogenic sub-strate solution of 0.05~0 w/v ortho-phenylene diamine (Sigma Chemical Co., St.Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.), 0.01~ v/v H2O2 in 0.06 mol/l sodium phosphate, 0.03 mol/l sodium citrate, pH 5Ø
Execution of the assay The assay was performed essentially as illustrated in Fig. 7 with sequences XX-XXVI. However, the following details of samples, volumes, times and other conditions may be added.
As samples for this assay, solutions with 500 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml of a purified human thyroglobulin standard (Novo Industri A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) in PBS-BSA
were used. PBS-BSA without added thyroglobulin was used as a blank.
The device was opened and 25 Al of each sample was applied to spot 36 and the same volume of blank to spot 37.
The extra lid provided to prevent evaporation was closed and the device was incubated for 30 min at room temperature.
Then surface 35 was washed with approx. 1 ml PBS-Tween.
After washing, the device was closed by folding ~317~
segment 32 upon segment 30 to transfer -the conjugated anti-bocly ln absorben-t pad 41 onto -the plastic surface 35. The device was left closed and incubated for 30 min at room tem-perature.
The device was then reopened to expose surface 35, which was washed with approx. 1 ml PBS-Tween. Segment 31 was then folded onto segment 30 to transfer the chromogenic sub-strate in absorbent pad 39 onto plastic surface 35. The device was again left closed and incubated for 10 min at room temperature. The color reaction was then immediately read on the back of the device through the transparent plastic at spots 36 and 37. A faint yellow color was desig-nated "+", a distinct yellow color "++" and a strong yellow color "+++".
Results Human thyroglobulin standards (in PBS-BSA) Concentration eaction 500 ng/l 0.76 nmol/l +++
100 ng/l 0.15 nmol/l ++
10 ng/l 0.015 nmol/l +
Blank As can be seen, the device according to the invention was capable of providing semiquantitative analytical information at very low concentrations of the analyte.
Assay for feline leukemia virus The assay of feline leukemia virus is important in veterinary practice to diagnose leukemia in cats.
Preparation of the device Antibody was fixed to the plastic slide 35 by applying 50 Al of monoclonal anti-feline leukemia virus antibody (clone 1, Cambridge BioScience Corporation, Hopkinton, Massa-chusetts, (U.S.A.) in a concentration of 10 ~g/ml diluent, to each of spots 36 and 37. The diluent (abbreviated PBS) was 0.05 mol/l sodium phosphate 0.15 mol/l NaCl, pH 7.2. The slides were incubated in a humidity chamber for 3 h at 37C.
They were then rinsed with approx. 10 ml washing solution 7~7~
Jo (abbreviated PBS-Tween), consisting of o.ns~ ]ween -20 (Sigma Chemical Co., St.Louis, Missouri, US in PBS.
Thereafter the slides were submerged in a dish contain:ing a solution (abbreviated PBS-BSA) consisting of l w/v bovine serum albumin (Sigma Chemical Co., St.Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.) in PBS and incubated 60 min. at 37C. Subsequently the slides were again rinsed with approx. 10 ml PBS-Tween, followed by 10 ml distilled water and left to dry.
The absorbent pad 41 was impregnated with a solution of peroxidase conjugated monoclonal anti-feline leukemia virus antibody (clone 2, Cambridge BioScience Corporation, Hopkinton, Massachusetts, U.S.A.), diluted 1:5. The absor-bent pad 39 was impregnated with a chromogenic substrate solution of 0.1~ w/v 2,2'-azino-di-3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonate (Boehringer Mannheim GmbH, Mannheim, Germany), 0.15~ H2O2 in 0.05 mmol/l sodium phosphate buffer, pH 6Ø
Execution of the assay .
The assay was performed essentially as illustrated in Fig. 7 with sequences XX-XXVI. however, the following de-tails of samples, volumes, times and other conditions may beadded.
As samples for this assay, 10 actual serum samples from suspected cats were used. PBS-BSA was used as a blank.
The device was opened and 1 drop of approx. 50 Al of each sample was applied to spot 36 and the same volume of blank -to spot 37. The device was then closed by folding seg-ment 32 upon segment 30 to transfer the conjugated antibody in absorbent pad 41 onto the plastic surface 35. The device was left closed and incubated -for 15 min at room temperature.
The device was then reopened to expose surface 35, which was washed with approx. 5 ml PBS-Tween. Segment 31 was then folded onto segment 30 to transfer the chromogenic sub-strate in absorbent pad 39 onto plastic surface 35. The devi-ce was again left closed and incubated for 2 min. at room temperature. The color reaction was then immediately read on the back of the device through the transparent plastic at spots 36 and 37. A -faint green color was designated "+", a ~3~7'~
distinct green color "I+" and a strong green color "+~
The assay results were compared to a commercially available test for feline leukemia virus ~Pltman-Moore, Inc., Philadel-ph:ia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.) run simultaneously in micro-titration cups.
Results Sample number Device according Pitman-Moore to the invention procedure 1 - negative 2 - negative 3 - negative
l7 urine samp]e lo 4 and l:8. The known negative urine sample was used as a blank The device was opened al1d 1 drop of approx. 50 l oE
each sample was applied to spot 36 ancl the same volume ox blank to spot 37. The device was then closed by folding segment 3' upon segment 30 to transfer the conjugated anti-body in absorbent pad 41 onto the plastic surface 35. The device was left closed and incubated for 15 min at room tem~eratllre.
- The device was then reopened to expose surface 35, which was washed with approc. 1 ml PBS-Tween. Segment 31 was then folded onto segment 30 to transfer the chr~mogenic sub-strate in absorbent pad 39 onto plastic surface 35. The de-vice was again left closed and incubated for 5 min. at room temperature. The color reaction was then immediately read on the back of the device through the transparent plastic at spots 36 and 37. A faint blue color was designated "+", a distinct blue color "++" and a strong blue color "+~+". The assay results were compared to a commercially available pregnancy test, Sensi-ChromeTM (Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., Nutley, New Jersey, U.S.A.), run in parallel in test tubes.
Results Sample Device according Sensi-ChromeTM
to the invention procedure _ 25 Known negative urine sample Lyphochek II 1:16 Lyphochek II 1:8 + +
Lyphochek~ II 1:4 ++ ++
Lyphochek~ II 1:2 +++ +++
30 Lyphochek~ II +++ +++
Lyphochek I +++ +++
..
Assay for human_thyroglobulin Human thyroglobulin is a relatively large protein with a molecular weigh-t of approx. 660,000. The assay is useful in the monitoring of thyroid cancer.
Preparation of the device - Antibody was fixed to the plastic slide 35 by applying 75 Al of monoclonal anti-human thyroglobulin antibody (clone \
TP-33, Novo Industri A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) in a concentrat-ion of 1()~g/m]diluent, to each of spots 36 and 37. The dilucnt abbreviated PBS) was 0.05 mo]/l sodium phosphate, 0.15 mol/l NaCl, pH 7.2. The slides were :incubated in a humidity charnber for l8 h at 4C. They were then rinsed with approx. 25 ml washing solution (abbreviated PBS-Tween), consisting of 0.05%
Tween -20 (Merck, Hohenbrunn, Germany) in PBS. Thereafter the slides were submerged in a dish containing a solution abbreviated PBS-BSA) consisting of 1% w/v bovine serum albu min (Sigma Chemical Co., St.Louis, Missouri, IJ.S.A.) in PBS-Tween and incubated 45 min at room temperature. Subsequently the slides were again rinsed with approx 25 ml PBS-Tween, followed by 25 ml distilled water and finally dried under a flow of compressed air.
The absorbent pad 41 was impregnated with a solution of peroxidase conjugated rabbit anti-human thyroglobulin (Dakopatts A/S, Glostrup, Denmark diluted 1:500 in PBS-BSA.
The absorbent pad 39 was impregnated with a chromogenic sub-strate solution of 0.05~0 w/v ortho-phenylene diamine (Sigma Chemical Co., St.Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.), 0.01~ v/v H2O2 in 0.06 mol/l sodium phosphate, 0.03 mol/l sodium citrate, pH 5Ø
Execution of the assay The assay was performed essentially as illustrated in Fig. 7 with sequences XX-XXVI. However, the following details of samples, volumes, times and other conditions may be added.
As samples for this assay, solutions with 500 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml of a purified human thyroglobulin standard (Novo Industri A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) in PBS-BSA
were used. PBS-BSA without added thyroglobulin was used as a blank.
The device was opened and 25 Al of each sample was applied to spot 36 and the same volume of blank to spot 37.
The extra lid provided to prevent evaporation was closed and the device was incubated for 30 min at room temperature.
Then surface 35 was washed with approx. 1 ml PBS-Tween.
After washing, the device was closed by folding ~317~
segment 32 upon segment 30 to transfer -the conjugated anti-bocly ln absorben-t pad 41 onto -the plastic surface 35. The device was left closed and incubated for 30 min at room tem-perature.
The device was then reopened to expose surface 35, which was washed with approx. 1 ml PBS-Tween. Segment 31 was then folded onto segment 30 to transfer the chromogenic sub-strate in absorbent pad 39 onto plastic surface 35. The device was again left closed and incubated for 10 min at room temperature. The color reaction was then immediately read on the back of the device through the transparent plastic at spots 36 and 37. A faint yellow color was desig-nated "+", a distinct yellow color "++" and a strong yellow color "+++".
Results Human thyroglobulin standards (in PBS-BSA) Concentration eaction 500 ng/l 0.76 nmol/l +++
100 ng/l 0.15 nmol/l ++
10 ng/l 0.015 nmol/l +
Blank As can be seen, the device according to the invention was capable of providing semiquantitative analytical information at very low concentrations of the analyte.
Assay for feline leukemia virus The assay of feline leukemia virus is important in veterinary practice to diagnose leukemia in cats.
Preparation of the device Antibody was fixed to the plastic slide 35 by applying 50 Al of monoclonal anti-feline leukemia virus antibody (clone 1, Cambridge BioScience Corporation, Hopkinton, Massa-chusetts, (U.S.A.) in a concentration of 10 ~g/ml diluent, to each of spots 36 and 37. The diluent (abbreviated PBS) was 0.05 mol/l sodium phosphate 0.15 mol/l NaCl, pH 7.2. The slides were incubated in a humidity chamber for 3 h at 37C.
They were then rinsed with approx. 10 ml washing solution 7~7~
Jo (abbreviated PBS-Tween), consisting of o.ns~ ]ween -20 (Sigma Chemical Co., St.Louis, Missouri, US in PBS.
Thereafter the slides were submerged in a dish contain:ing a solution (abbreviated PBS-BSA) consisting of l w/v bovine serum albumin (Sigma Chemical Co., St.Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.) in PBS and incubated 60 min. at 37C. Subsequently the slides were again rinsed with approx. 10 ml PBS-Tween, followed by 10 ml distilled water and left to dry.
The absorbent pad 41 was impregnated with a solution of peroxidase conjugated monoclonal anti-feline leukemia virus antibody (clone 2, Cambridge BioScience Corporation, Hopkinton, Massachusetts, U.S.A.), diluted 1:5. The absor-bent pad 39 was impregnated with a chromogenic substrate solution of 0.1~ w/v 2,2'-azino-di-3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonate (Boehringer Mannheim GmbH, Mannheim, Germany), 0.15~ H2O2 in 0.05 mmol/l sodium phosphate buffer, pH 6Ø
Execution of the assay .
The assay was performed essentially as illustrated in Fig. 7 with sequences XX-XXVI. however, the following de-tails of samples, volumes, times and other conditions may beadded.
As samples for this assay, 10 actual serum samples from suspected cats were used. PBS-BSA was used as a blank.
The device was opened and 1 drop of approx. 50 Al of each sample was applied to spot 36 and the same volume of blank -to spot 37. The device was then closed by folding seg-ment 32 upon segment 30 to transfer the conjugated antibody in absorbent pad 41 onto the plastic surface 35. The device was left closed and incubated -for 15 min at room temperature.
The device was then reopened to expose surface 35, which was washed with approx. 5 ml PBS-Tween. Segment 31 was then folded onto segment 30 to transfer the chromogenic sub-strate in absorbent pad 39 onto plastic surface 35. The devi-ce was again left closed and incubated for 2 min. at room temperature. The color reaction was then immediately read on the back of the device through the transparent plastic at spots 36 and 37. A -faint green color was designated "+", a ~3~7'~
distinct green color "I+" and a strong green color "+~
The assay results were compared to a commercially available test for feline leukemia virus ~Pltman-Moore, Inc., Philadel-ph:ia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.) run simultaneously in micro-titration cups.
Results Sample number Device according Pitman-Moore to the invention procedure 1 - negative 2 - negative 3 - negative
4 + negative - negative 6 - positive 7 + positive 8 +++ positive 9 +++ positive +++ positive -The procedures were in agreement for 8 of the 10 samp-les tested. The diverging results for samples 4 and 6 may either have been caused by procedural factors or the clini cal status of the samples.
Claims (17)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A device for chemical analyses, wherein the sample to be tested is contacted with at least one reagent that reacts with the sample to form a detectable substance which is then in turn detected for a qualitative or quantitative determination thereof, characterized in that it comprises a continuous sheet of at least two segments, the first one of which contains a site on which at least one of said reagents is present from the beginning and on which the contact between said sample and reagent(s) can take place, and a second one contains a site which may or may not have the desired detecting reagent(s) present from the beginning, on which the presence of detectable substance can be shown, the first and second segments being foldable in such a way that the site with the reagent(s) can be brought to overlap the site for detec-tion, that it comprises at least one arrangement for the separa-tion of reagent(s) which has (have) not reacted during the contact between sample and reagent(s), said arrangement being placed so as to be activated before the presence of the detectable substance is shown, and that the segments present are foldable in such a way that desired segments can overlap each other for performing the required analytical steps.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement for separation of reagent(s) is a third segment con-taining a separation element or medium, said third segment being placed to be folded in between said first and said second segments.
3. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement or separation of reagent(s) is one or more separation or absorption media placed adjacent to the site of the first segment.
4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that said separation or absorption media are arranged in one or more wells or containers in the first segment in such a way that when washing solution is applied to the area for washing away unreacted reagent said washing solution is automatically separated or absorbed into the wells.
5. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises an additional segment having a site containing an inhibitor for the utilized detecting reaction which segment is arranged to be folded into contact with the second segment so as to inhibit the detecting reaction.
6. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises one or more additional segments containing reagent(s) which segment(s) is (are) arranged to be folded in any required order to react with the sample or a reaction product formed in any previous step.
7. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises a segment for the application or dilution of the sample which segment is arranged to be folded to bring the sample into contact with any desired reagent on another segment.
8. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the detecting reagent is a color-generating reagent and that one of the segments contains one or more windows with reference color(s) with which the generated color can be directly compared for an evaluation of the analysis.
9. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the segments are foldable in such a way that they essentially overlap each other when the device is present in the form of a ready for use package.
10. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the continuous sheet with its foldable segments is con-structed from one single piece of cardboard, plastic or any other easily foldable material.
11. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 for use in analyses containing a separation of a fluid phase from a solid phase and detection of a substance in the fluid phase, charac-terized in that the site on the first segment contains a container into which the sample is intended to be applied to react with a solid phase reagent present in the container or alternatively to react to the formation of a solid phase, the container opening may or may not be covered by a protecting layer which keeps the reagent in place before the sample is applied, that the site on the second segment contains a detecting reagent for a desired substance of the fluid phase, and that a third segment containing a separation element or medium, which enables the passage of the fluid phase but not the solid phase, is arranged to be folded in between the container of the first segment and the site on the second segment, so that when inverting the device the fluid phase can be brought into contact with the detecting reagent.
12. A device according to claim 1 intended for enzyme immuno assay based on antigen-antibody reactions, characterized in that the site on the first segment contains a solid phase to which enzyme is taken up in relation to the presence of antigen or anti-body in the sample, and that the second segment contains an enzyme substrate that reacts with the enzyme which has not been taken up by the solid phase of said site on the first segment or remains on the solid phase of said site on the first segment after washing.
13. A device according to claim 1, 4 or 12 for use in enzyme immuno assay based on antigen-antibody reactions, characterized by a first segment with a site made of transparent plastic for the application of the sample, and which may or may not also have a site for a control sample, the plastic being provided with reagent in the form of antibody or antigen fixed thereto, a second segment with a site with detecting reagent in the form of a chromogenic enzyzme substrate, a third segment containing a site with an absorbent pad with soluble, optionally lyophilized, enzyme-labelled antibody or antigen, said third segment being placed to be folded to overlap the first segment before the second segment is folded to overlap said first segment, and a separating arrange-ment in the form of absorbent material, placed in at least one well on the first segment, in such a way that when washing liquid is applied to the transparent plastic on the first segment for washing away unreacted reagent before the other segment is folded to overlap the first one, said washing solution is automatically absorbed by said absorbent material.
14. A method of conducting chemical analyses which comprises contacting the sample to be tested with a device as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3.
15. A method of conducting chemical analyses within the fields of medicine and agriculture which comprises contacting the sample to be tested with a device as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3.
16. A method of conducting immuno chemical analyses which comprises contacting the sample to be tested with a device as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3.
17. A method of conducting enzyme immuno assay, fluorescence immuno assay, luminescence immuno assay and analyses based on hybridization reactions between nucleic acids which comprises contacting the sample to be tested with a device as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE8306666-2 | 1983-12-02 | ||
| SE8306666A SE454811B (en) | 1983-12-02 | 1983-12-02 | Chemical analytical device esp. for immunoassays |
| SE8403883-5 | 1984-07-27 | ||
| SE8403883A SE8403883L (en) | 1983-12-02 | 1984-07-27 | DEVICE FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND USE THEREOF |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1237074A true CA1237074A (en) | 1988-05-24 |
Family
ID=26658582
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000469009A Expired CA1237074A (en) | 1983-12-02 | 1984-11-30 | Device for chemical analyses and use thereof |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4717656A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0165288B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU579123B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1237074A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3481645D1 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI78361C (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1196349B (en) |
| NO (1) | NO853050L (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1985002466A1 (en) |
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| GB2558612B (en) * | 2017-01-10 | 2022-08-31 | Nammonic Holding Ltd | Biological sample collection and/or storage device |
| US10564155B2 (en) | 2017-01-27 | 2020-02-18 | Raouf A Guirguis | Dual swab fluid sample collection for split sample testing and fingerprint identification device |
| TWI650557B (en) * | 2018-04-27 | 2019-02-11 | 國立臺灣大學 | Paper DC detection platform and using method thereof |
| EP4257981A1 (en) * | 2022-04-07 | 2023-10-11 | CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA - Recherche et Développement | Sensing device with improved detection sensitivity for detecting the presence of a predefined chemical, biological or biochemical entity in a fluid sample |
| CN116358968B (en) * | 2023-06-01 | 2023-08-18 | 山东中医药大学第二附属医院(山东省中西医结合医院) | Medical science inspection refining device |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3194963A (en) * | 1961-07-17 | 1965-07-13 | Sundstrand Corp | Light intensity measuring device and method using 2-(2', 4'-dinitrobenzyl)-pyridine |
| US3689224A (en) * | 1966-04-13 | 1972-09-05 | Westinghouse Electric Corp | Chemical contaminant detection sampler |
| US3511608A (en) * | 1967-12-14 | 1970-05-12 | Harold P Anderson | Multiple layer paper test strip |
| US3644177A (en) * | 1969-11-12 | 1972-02-22 | Yissum Res Dev Co | Monitoring penicillin in biological substances |
| US3992158A (en) * | 1973-08-16 | 1976-11-16 | Eastman Kodak Company | Integral analytical element |
| US3936357A (en) * | 1974-08-16 | 1976-02-03 | Polaroid Corporation | Method and device for determining the concentration of a substance in a fluid |
| CA1054034A (en) * | 1975-06-20 | 1979-05-08 | Barbara J. Bruschi | Multilayer analytical element |
| US4055394A (en) * | 1976-10-18 | 1977-10-25 | Akzona Incorporated | Diagnostic test card |
| US4108729A (en) * | 1977-05-16 | 1978-08-22 | U.S. Packaging Corp. | Paper booklet for presumptive diagnosis of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae in the male |
| JPS5767860A (en) * | 1980-10-15 | 1982-04-24 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Material for multilayer analysis |
| US4365970A (en) * | 1981-05-01 | 1982-12-28 | Smithkline Instruments, Inc. | Specimen test slide and method for testing occult blood |
| SE437207B (en) * | 1983-12-13 | 1985-02-11 | Rolf Dahlberg | SAMPLE CARD WITH BEARING STRAIGHT IN THE FORM OF THERMAL DERIVATIVE METAL PLATE |
| US4645743A (en) * | 1986-03-11 | 1987-02-24 | Smithkline Diagnostics, Inc. | Method and device for collecting and testing for fecal occult blood |
-
1984
- 1984-11-30 EP EP85900233A patent/EP0165288B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1984-11-30 WO PCT/SE1984/000409 patent/WO1985002466A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1984-11-30 US US06/740,065 patent/US4717656A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1984-11-30 CA CA000469009A patent/CA1237074A/en not_active Expired
- 1984-11-30 AU AU36800/84A patent/AU579123B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1984-11-30 IT IT23831/84A patent/IT1196349B/en active
- 1984-11-30 DE DE8585900233T patent/DE3481645D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1985
- 1985-08-01 NO NO853050A patent/NO853050L/en unknown
- 1985-08-01 FI FI852981A patent/FI78361C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FI78361C (en) | 1989-07-10 |
| AU3680084A (en) | 1985-06-13 |
| FI852981L (en) | 1985-08-01 |
| NO853050L (en) | 1985-08-01 |
| AU579123B2 (en) | 1988-11-17 |
| IT1196349B (en) | 1988-11-16 |
| FI78361B (en) | 1989-03-31 |
| FI852981A0 (en) | 1985-08-01 |
| DE3481645D1 (en) | 1990-04-19 |
| EP0165288B1 (en) | 1990-03-14 |
| US4717656A (en) | 1988-01-05 |
| EP0165288A1 (en) | 1985-12-27 |
| IT8423831A0 (en) | 1984-11-30 |
| WO1985002466A1 (en) | 1985-06-06 |
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