Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for the detection of an analyte in a specimen comprising two steps. First, the specimen is contacted with a substrate having receptors bound thereon, having higher affinity for cross-reactive substances than for the analyte, in order to increase the ratio of the analyte to the cross-reactive substances. Then, the treated specimen is assayed by using another receptor while decreasing the effects of the cross-reactive substance contained in the original specimen. The receptors in the first step are preferably molecular imprinted polymers that are capable of absorbing multiple cross-reactive substances.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and devices for multiplexing and demultiplexing optical signals. The present invention relates to a method and devices for integrating the multiplexer and demultiplexer functionality with the switch array. The wavelength switchable optical filter comprises an optical waveguide having a grating along a section thereof, the grating comprising a pre-selected number of spaced sub-gratings with each sub-grating have a sub-grating period, the grating has a spectral response characterized by a pre-selected number of spaced band-pass windows spanning a pre-selected wavelength range. The optical filter includes modifying means connected to the optical waveguide for modifying the sub-grating period, refractive index or a combination thereof for selectively opening or closing each of said band pass windows independently of all the other band pass windows.
Abstract:
The present invention provides assays and methods of compensating for changes in the dose-response curve of an assay where such changes are due to variations in a perturbing variable such as, but not limited to temperature. This is achieved by a two-step method, the first step of which involves measurements of the dose-response curve, and thus the individual assay parameters, at many different values of the perturbing variable, spanning the expected range of the perturbing variable. In the second step, unknown samples are assayed simultaneously with a known standard at a chosen analyte concentration. During this measurement, the value of the perturbing variable is unknown and the dose-response curve is therefore also unknown. The different dose-response curves from the first step are used to determine a mathematical relationship between the assay parameters and the assay signal of the known standard. With this relationship, in which the value of the perturbing variable is implicit rather than explicit, assay parameters that are valid for the unknown value of the perturbing variable can be obtained by substituting the value of the assay signal from the known standard (measured when assaying the unknown samples) into the mathematical relationship and solving for the assay parameters. The method enables an accurate determination of the analyte concentration even when the perturbing variable is changing or fluctuating from one sample measurement to another. Once the first step is completed, the second step can be performed repeatedly to measure unknown samples with accuracy.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method to calibrate an assay for variations or fluctuations in an assay parameter such as, but not limited to, temperature that affect the measured assay signal and thereby to calculate an analyte concentration with improved accuracy. The method is preferably performed in a manner such that the measured signal from a single additional standard per batch is sufficient to provide the required calibration.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of performing a competitive assay for the detection and quantification of an analyte over an extended dynamic range. This is achieved by a multi-step sample addition method whereby different concentrations of sample are added at different times during the assay that produces a dose-response curve with multiple windows of detection. This multi-step sample addition method causes the dose-response curve of the composite assay to broaden, dramatically increasing the assay dynamic range.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a microplate-based assay kit that incorporates all assay reagents and standards in a simple and efficient format and may be used in biochemical assays. The assay kit includes pre-filled, pre-sealed and barcoded microplates with a standard physical footprint for use in a microplate-based automated analyzer system which enables simple and efficient operation by an unskilled user via per-use factory-sealed and barcoded reagent and calibrator microplates. Such microplates allow the user to run a broad test menu without the need to monitor the arrangement and supply of internally stored reagents and standards, thus greatly simplifying the user experience and eliminating the need for highly skilled users.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method to calibrate an assay for variations or fluctuations in an assay parameter such as, but not limited to, temperature that affect the measured assay signal and thereby to calculate an analyte concentration with improved accuracy. The method is preferably performed in a manner such that the measured signal from a single additional standard per batch is sufficient to provide the required calibration.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a bar-code driven, completely automated, microplate-based analyzer system for performing chemical, biochemical or biological assays. The analyzer is a modular, bench-top instrument that compactly integrates subsystems for sample dispensing, liquid handling, microplate transport, thermal incubation, vortexing, solid phase separation and optical reading. An internal processor is included for automating the instrument, and a user interface to facilitate communication with the operator via a touch-sensitive liquid-crystal display (LCD), and communicating with a remote network via multiple protocols. The analyzer includes firmware resident within the processing system and the user interface allows the operator to select pre-defined assay batch protocols and the user interface is configured in such as way so as to restrict an operator from programming the firmware.