Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing – Optical result – With reagent in absorbent or bibulous substrate
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-24
2001-05-08
Alexander, Lyle A. (Department: 1743)
Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
Optical result
With reagent in absorbent or bibulous substrate
C436S901000, C436S164000, C436S816000, C422S051000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06228658
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a test strip for the immunochemical detection of substances after sampling from surfaces by wiping off .
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A process for detecting the contamination of a surface with an analyte by wiping off the analyte from the surface with a wiping surface separate from a test strip, contacting the wiping surface and the test strip and subsequently applying an eluent with a subsequent immunological binding reaction has become known from DE 44 39 429 C2. One drawback of this prior-art process and of the corresponding arrangement is that a separate wiping surface must be present for sampling, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, that a special housing for receiving the test strip and the wiping surface is provided for contacting the wiping surface and the test strip. In addition, the wiping surface must be contacted with the test strip with a minimum pressure, but without preventing or hindering the capillary flow of liquid in the test strip.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Thus, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a test strip, which has a simple design and is suitable for sampling from surfaces by wiping off, without having an additional wiping surface separate from the test strip.
According to the invention, a test strip for the immunochemical detection of substances after sampling from surfaces by wiping off is provided including:
a) A conjugate zone located between a eluent application zone at one end of the test strip and a reaction zone at the opposite end, the zones being in liquid contact with one another, and
b) a section of the test strip in the area between and including the said eluent application zone and the said reaction zone is used to wipe off the surface and as a sampling zone.
The eluent application zone may be used as the sampling zone. The sampling zone may be arranged between the said conjugate zone and the reaction zone. The test strip may be laminated onto a carrier layer. The test strip may be connected to a preferably flexurally rigid test strip holder which does not cover the sampling zone.
The invention also provides a process for detecting substances by means of a test strip with the features a) and b) mentioned above. The process includes using the test strip with the following steps:
a) The surface to be tested for the substance to be detected is wiped off with a section of the test strip, which is located in the area including the eluent application zone and the reaction zone;
b) elution liquid is applied to the eluent application zone, so that elution liquid and the substance to be detected migrate in the direction of the reaction zone, and
c) the presence of the substance to be detected in the reaction zone is measured based on an immunochemical detection reaction.
The test strip may be used in this way for detecting drugs. The test strip can be used for detecting low-molecular-weight harmful substances. Another advantageous use of the test strip is for detecting proteins and/or allergens. The test strip may also be used for detecting substances in body fluids of living beings.
One essential advantage of the present invention arises from the fact that no separate wiping surface needs to be provided for sampling, on the one hand, and that, on the other hand, no contacting needs to take place with the test strip, so that a corresponding housing for receiving and contacting the wiping surface and the test strip is eliminated.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4806312 (1989-02-01), Greenquist
patent: 5140986 (1992-08-01), Klinger
patent: 5573921 (1996-11-01), Behnke et al.
patent: 5602040 (1997-02-01), May et al.
patent: 42 29 591 (1994-03-01), None
patent: 44 39 429 C2 (1996-02-01), None
patent: 196 45 569 (1998-03-01), None
patent: 0 407 904 (1991-01-01), None
patent: WO 97/19353 (1997-05-01), None
Formica Philip-Michael
Manns Andreas
Polzius Rainer
Alexander Lyle A.
Drager Sicherheitstechnik GmbH
McGlew and Tuttle P.C
LandOfFree
Method of using a test strip for the immunochemical... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method of using a test strip for the immunochemical..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of using a test strip for the immunochemical... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2514512