Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly for use in detecting an analyte in a sample based on thin-film spectral interference. The assembly includes a light source to emit light signals; a light detector to detect light signals; a coupler to optically couple the light source and the light detector to a waveguide tip; a monolithic substrate having a coupling side and a sensing side; and a lens between the waveguide tip and the monolithic substrate. The lens relays optical signals between the waveguide tip and the monolithic substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cartridge assembly tray for conducting automated biochemical tests, such as immunoassay tests. The tray comprises a base member, a hinged frame and a locking mechanism. The base member includes a plurality of slots within the base member. Each of the plurality of slots is to receive a test cartridge. The hinged frame is coupled to the base member. The hinged frame is capable to rotate to an opened position or a closed position. The hinged frame includes a horizontal push bar configured to apply a downward force to test cartridges received in the plurality of slots when the hinged frame is in the closed position. The locking mechanism is to lock the hinged frame in the closed position when the hinged frame rotates to the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for increasing sensitivities of immunoassays. The invention utilizes an acid elution condition that preferentially elute specifically bound immune complexes over non-specifically bound complexes from a solid phase, and designs immunoassay protocols that improve the ratio of specific binding to non-specific binding and thereby improving assay sensitivity. The protocol determines the signal of the labeled immunocomplexes eluted from a solid phase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a luminescent immunoassay method for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample with high sensitivity. The invention provides a unique combination of (i) using a probe having a small sensing surface area for binding analyte molecules, (ii) using a high molecular weight branched polymer conjugated with multiple binding molecules and multiple luminescent labels, and (iii) cycling the probe having immunocomplex formed back to the reagent vessel and amplification vessel 1-10 times and repeating the reaction with the reagent and the amplification polymer, to improve the sensitivity of detection level. For each cycling, the luminescent signal is increased significantly over the noise. The present invention is also directed to an electrochemiluminescent detection system for measuring a chemiluminescent signal on a probe tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for quantitating an analyte having a wide range concentration in a single assay without having to dilute the sample and repeating the assay. The key feature of the invention is having two cycles of events including sample binding to probe, binding reactions, and detection. After the first cycle of binding and detecting, the probe is dipped into the same sample vessel to bind additional analyte in the sample vessel at a condition that is more favorable to binding than the condition in the first cycle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a detection system for measuring a fluorescent signal in a fluorescent assay. The system comprises a probe having a small sensing surface bound with a fluorescent label, and a light source and a detector both mounted at the proximal side of the sensing surface of the substrate. The invention also relates to a method for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample using a probe tip having a small surface area (?5 mm) and a high molecular weight polymer (?1 MD) having multiple binding molecules and multiple fluorescent labels. The binding reaction is accelerated by flowing the reaction solutions laterally and moving the probe tip up and down in the reaction vessels. The invention furthers relates to a fluorescent labeling composition comprising a cross-linked FICOLL® molecule having a plurality of binding molecules and a plurality of fluorescent labels.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cartridge assembly tray for conducting automated biochemical tests, such as immunoassay tests. The tray comprises a base member, a hinged frame and a locking mechanism. The base member includes a plurality of slots within the base member. Each of the plurality of slots is to receive a test cartridge. The hinged frame is coupled to the base member. The hinged frame is capable to rotate to an opened position or a closed position. The hinged frame includes a horizontal push bar configured to apply a downward force to test cartridges received in the plurality of slots when the hinged frame is in the closed position. The locking mechanism is to lock the hinged frame in the closed position when the hinged frame rotates to the closed position.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly for use in detecting an analyte in a sample based on thin-film spectral interference. The assembly comprises a waveguide, a monolithic substrate optically coupled to the waveguide, and a thin-film layer directly bonded to the sensing side of the monolithic substrate. The refractive index of the monolithic substrate is higher than the refractive index of the transparent material of the thin-film layer. A spectral interference between the light reflected into the waveguide from a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface varies as analyte molecules in a sample bind to the analyte binding molecules coated on the thin-film layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cartridge assembly tray for conducting automated biochemical tests, such as immunoassay tests. The tray comprises a base member, a hinged frame and a locking mechanism. The base member includes a plurality of slots within the base member. Each of the plurality of slots is to receive a test cartridge. The hinged frame is coupled to the base member. The hinged frame is capable to rotate to an opened position or a closed position. The hinged frame includes a horizontal push bar configured to apply a downward force to test cartridges received in the plurality of slots when the hinged frame is in the closed position. The locking mechanism is to lock the hinged frame in the closed position when the hinged frame rotates to the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for quantitating an analyte having a wide range concentration in a single assay without having to dilute the sample and repeating the assay. The key feature of the invention is having two cycles of events including sample binding to probe, binding reactions, and detection. After the first cycle of binding and detecting, the probe is dipped into the same sample vessel to bind additional analyte in the sample vessel at a condition that is more favorable to binding than the condition in the first cycle.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a luminescent immunoassay method for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample with high sensitivity. The invention provides a unique combination of (i) using a probe having a small sensing surface area for binding analyte molecules, (ii) using a high molecular weight branched polymer conjugated with multiple binding molecules and multiple luminescent labels, and (iii) cycling the probe having immunocomplex formed back to the reagent vessel and amplification vessel 1-10 times and repeating the reaction with the reagent and the amplification polymer, to improve the sensitivity of detection level. For each cycling, the luminescent signal is increased significantly over the noise.

Abstract: This invention relates to a detection system for measuring a fluorescent signal in a fluorescent assay. The system comprises a probe having a small sensing surface bound with a fluorescent label, and a light source and a detector both mounted at the proximal side of the sensing surface of the substrate. The invention also relates to a method for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample using a probe tip having a small surface area (?5 mm) and a high molecular weight polymer (?1 MD) having multiple binding molecules and multiple fluorescent labels. The binding reaction is accelerated by flowing the reaction solutions laterally and moving the probe tip up and down in the reaction vessels. The invention furthers relates to a fluorescent labeling composition comprising a cross-linked FICOLL® molecule having a plurality of binding molecules and a plurality of fluorescent labels.