Abstract: A method for the multiplexed diagnostic and genetic analysis of enzymes, DNA fragments, antibodies, and other biomolecules comprises the steps of constructing an appropriately labeled beadset, exposing the beadset to a clinical sample, and analyzing the combined sample/beadset by flow cytometry. Flow cytometric measurements are used to classify, in real-time, beads within an exposed beadset and textual explanations, based on the accumulated data obtained during real-time analysis, are generated for the user. The inventive technology enables the simultaneous, and automated, detection and interpretation of multiple biomolecules or DNA sequences in real-time while also reducing the cost of performing diagnostic and genetic assays.

Abstract: A disposable, dry chemistry analytical system is disclosed which is broadly useful for the detection of a variety of analytes present in biological fluids such as whole blood, serum, plasma, urine and cerebral spinal fluid. The invention discloses the use of the reaction interface that forms between two liquids converging from opposite directions within a bibulous material. The discovery comprises a significant improvement over prior art disposable, analytical reagent systems in that the detectable reactant zone is visually distinct and separate from the unreacted reagents allowing for the use of reaction indicators exhibiting only minor changes as well as extremely high concentrations of reactants. In addition, staged, multiple reagents can be incorporated. Whole blood can be used as a sample without the need for separate cell separating materials.

Abstract: A system and method for removing contaminants from a surface. The system is designed to use particles having means thereon which are capable of selectively binding to a contaminant or contaminants of interest. The particles are applied to the surface whereupon the contaminants bind to the particle. When the particle is removed, the desired contaminants are also removed. Preferably, the present invention utilizes magnetic particles having iron therein. The particles may then be readily removed using magnets. The means for binding the contaminant to the particle preferably comprise a ligand or a charge specifically designed to remove the contaminant of interest. The particles may be included in a carrier to facilitate their application to the surface. The invention is especially useful for the removal of contaminants from skin.

Abstract: A novel magnetic carrier is provided which comprises particulate silica containing a magnetic material, having polyacrylamide on the surface thereof in an amount ranging from 0.3 to 5 mmol/g in terms of monomeric acrylamide. A process for producing the magnetic carrier is also provided in which the surface of particulate silica containing a magnetic material is treated with a coupling agent, and the treated particulate silica is reacted with acrylamide and/or polyacrylamide. The magnetic carrier is useful for extraction of nucleic acid. The magnetic carrier can be produced readily by controlling the shape, the particle diameter, and the pore diameter, and is excellent in strength and adsorption efficiency. The extraction of a nucleic acid can be automated by use of the magnetic carrier.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the immunological determination of an analyte in a sample using magnetic particles coated with the analyte to be determined or analyte-specific bonding partners and directly detectable non-magnetic particles coated with analyte-specific bonding partners or the analyte to be determined or using a non-magnetic substance which is indirectly detectable, and incubation of the reaction mixture. The method is characterized in that the magnetic particles are subsequently separated from the reaction mixture using a magnetic test strip and the analyte concentration is determined directly.

Abstract: It has been found that casein and salts of casein are useful as replacements for, or in addition to, BSA as materials for coating solid phases, particularly magnetic particles, used in immunoassays and other binding assays for separation of the desired analyte. By using casein, immunoassays having improved stability and fewer discordant samples have been developed. Casein used at a concentration of 0.05-4.0 grams per gram of paramagnetic particle (optimally approximately 0.78-1.2 grams of casein per gram of magnetic particle) has been found to confer this benefit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a means for separating magnetic particles from a composition. The means comprises an elongated protective cover (1) that comprises a recess (2) extending from the upper end towards the lower end thereof, the recess comprising a movable magnetic rod (4), the proportion of the length of the rod to its thickness being at least about 2:1. The invention can be used in different applications especially in the fields of biotechnology, biochemistry, and biomedicine. Collecting particles by using the means is easy and fast.

Abstract: In a process for the quantitative optical analysis of fluorescently labelled biological cells 5, a cell layer on a transparent support at the bottom 2 of a reaction vessel 1 is in contact with a solution 3 containing the fluorescent dye 4. The sensitivity of analytical detection can be considerably improved if to the fluorescent dye 4 already present in addition a masking dye 9, which absorbs the excitation light 6 for the fluorescent dye 4 and/or its emission light 7, is added to the solution 3 and/or if a separating layer 10 permeable to the solution and absorbing and/or reflecting the excitation light 6 or the emission light 7 is applied to the cell layer at the bottom 2. The separating layer 10 must be composed such that it has a high power of reflection for the luminescent light 11.

Abstract: Improvements in the existing procedures and materials for conduct of high gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) are disclosed. The use of plastic coated matrices especially small spheres or balls which form superior magnetic gradient-intensifying supports are disclosed, along with improved methods and apparatus to conduct HGMS. The selection of small spheres in combination with the coating provides for uniform matrices of high stability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manipulation of colloidal particulates and biomolecules at the interface between an insulating electrode such as silicon oxide and an electrolyte solution. Light-controlled electrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces relies on the combination of three functional elements: the AC electric field-induced assembly of planar aggregates; the patterning of the electrolyte/silicon oxide/silicon interface to exert spatial control over the assembly process; and the real-time control of the assembly process via external illumination. The present invention provides a set of fundamental operations enabling interactive control over the creation and placement of planar arrays of several types of particles and biomolecules and the manipulation of array shape and size. The present invention enables sample preparation and handling for diagnostic assays and biochemical analysis in an array format, and the functional integration of these operations.

Abstract: Magnetic particles for separating biological mixtures consist of nacreous luster pigments with magnetic properties coated with a biological polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides internally calibrated competitive assays for use on a solid support. Additionally, the invention provides a method of using such assays.

Abstract: Separation apparatus and method for separating magnetic and/or magnetically-labeled particles from a test medium in a reaction chamber which incorporates baffles, a spinner, a stirrer, or a plunger operable to be displaced along a collection surface to define a narrow flow path through which the particle-laden test medium must flow. The collection surface is a thin-walled non-magnetic material having a plurality of magnetic pole faces positioned therearound. Test medium within a reaction chamber is caused to flow past a collecting surface, and a high-gradient magnetic field is applied to the surface to capture magnetically responsive particles in the test medium. The particles are deflected toward the collection surface in the flow path for the test medium. The narrow flow path assures that substantially all of the particles pass within the high-gradient magnetic field along the collection surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for at least one of detecting, quantifying or isolating at least one analyte from a liquid medium in which the analyte is distributed and comprises providing a reagent comprised of particles having a receptor for an analyte fixed to the particles distributed in the medium and a capturing means having an exposed surface defining an active zone. An intermediate reagent is formed by the complex of the reagent with the analyte. A second receptor is fixed in the active zone to capture either the analyte bound by the reagent or the receptor (capture partners). The active zone serves as a site of isolation and concentration of the capture partners.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a binding assay for an analyte of interest in a sample based upon measurement of clectrochemiluminescence at an electrode surface comprising: (a) a cell defining a sample; (b) an electrode adjacent a portion of the sample containing volume; (c) a voltage control device for impressing electrochemical energy upon the electrode sufficient to generate luminescence; (d) means for magnetically collecting particles along the electrode surface; and (e) a light detection device for measuring the luminescence.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting and quantifying particulate matter suspended in a fluid. Specifically, the invention provides an integrated, affinity-binding based, analytical system comprising a platform for performing an affinity-binding based assay for specifically binding particulates including microbial cells, and a detection device for detecting the particulates specifically bound to a defined surface or chamber comprising the platform. Methods for using the analytical systems of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: One-step enzyme immunoassays in which enzyme-antibody conjugate or label and enzyme substrate are separated until separation of bound and free enzyme conjugate or label is complete. This separation is accomplished by using variable flow paths, immobilization of substrate at the test line, placement of substrate in a sac or association with a particle label, enzyme product chemical capture, delay zone dissolution and protected enzyme substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunomagnetic electrochemiluminescence assays for eukaryotic cells, particularly human cells. A competitive binding assay is disclosed which enables affinity measurements of antibodies specific for eukaryotic cell membrane proteins. Such an assay is particularly useful for verifying or measuring the affinity of therapeutic antibodies following chelate conjugation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for separating at least one species of biological entities from a sample solution, by contacting the sample with a matrix of magnetic particles formed on a substrate such as a sheet a gel, etc. The particles in the matrix are coupled to entities capable of specifically binding to the species of biological entities to be separated. The separation is carried out either for detection purposes for obtaining separately each species of biological entities or for synthesis purposes. The invention further concerns matrices of magnetic particles formed on various substrates and kits for use in the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides internally calibrated competitive assays for use on a solid support. Additionally, the invention provides a method of using such assays.