Automated immunoassay device and method using large magnetic particle complex
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11529628-B2
Publication Date
2022-12-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to an immunoassay apparatus and a method thereof. The immunoassay apparatus including a cartridge 13 in which a tube for T tip 9, a reaction tube 11, a tube for washing 3, and a tube for signal measurement 5 are integrally coupled or individually configured; a T tip 7 and a magnetic rod 31 used for performing reaction and washing processes while moving large magnetic particles m, capture materials, signal materials, and analyte materials with magnetic force by entering successively a plurality of tubes 3 and 5; a cartridge holder 15 in which the cartridge 13 is seated; and a heating member 17 that generates heat by being disposed at a region in which the reaction tube 11 is seated in the cartridge holder 15; is configured in a state where each of the different shapes of magnetic particles is bound with materials.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a cartridge system of an immunoassay apparatus in which a cartridge includes a tube for a T tip, a reaction tube, a plurality of washing tubes, and a signal measurement tube, either integrally coupled or individually configured. A T tip and a magnetic rod are configured to perform reaction and washing processes by moving large magnetic particles of various shapes, capture materials, signal materials, and analyte materials with magnetic force by entering successively the plurality of washing tubes and the signal measurement tube.
The cartridge holder seats the cartridge and includes a heating member that generates heat at a region where the reaction tube is seated. The cartridge holder further includes a first mounting stage for the tube for the T tip, a second mounting stage for the plurality of washing tubes, and a third mounting stage for the signal measurement tube. A first distance between the reaction tube and the tube for the T tip and a second distance between the reaction tube and the plurality of washing tubes are maintained longer than a thickness of the heating member.
An image analyzer performs multiple inspections by recognizing analyte materials bound to the magnetic particles by analyzing the magnetic particles of various shapes as images. After the reaction and washing, magnetic particles are discharged to the signal measurement tube, and capturing and separating is performed for only specific analyte materials bound to the magnetic particles of one shape or various shapes based on image analysis of the discharged large magnetic particles.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims: an independent cartridge system claim and an independent immunoassay method claim. Both claims share the same core inventive structure: cartridge/tube integration with a T tip and magnetic rod, sequential reaction/washing/signal measurement using large magnetic particles of various shapes, and multiple inspections via an image analyzer that recognizes analytes by shape-based imaging; additionally, both claims define a multi-stage cartridge holder and maintain specific distance relationships relative to heating-member thickness.
Cartridge with T tip, reaction tube, washing tubes, and signal measurement tube
A cartridge in which a tube for a T tip, a reaction tube, a plurality of washing tubes, and a signal measurement tube are integrally coupled or individually configured.
T tip and magnetic rod for reaction and washing with magnetic-force movement of various-shaped magnetic particles
A T tip and a magnetic rod configured to perform reaction and washing processes while moving large magnetic particles of various shapes, capture materials, signal materials, and analyte materials with magnetic force by entering successively the plurality of washing tubes and the signal measurement tube.
Multi-stage cartridge holder with heating member
A cartridge holder in which the cartridge is seated; a heating member that generates heat by being disposed at a region in which the reaction tube is seated in the cartridge holder; wherein the cartridge holder includes a first mounting stage in which the tube for the T tip is seated, the heating member in which the reaction tube is seated and heated, a second mounting stage in which the plurality of washing tubes are seated, and a third mounting stage in which the signal measurement tube is seated.
Distance relationship for limiting heat transfer
A first distance between the reaction tube and the tube for the T tip and a second distance between the reaction tube and the plurality of washing tubes are maintained longer than a thickness of the heating member.
Image analyzer for multiple inspections by analyzing magnetic-particle images
An image analyzer configured to perform multiple inspections by recognizing each of the analyte materials bound to the magnetic particles by analyzing the magnetic particles of various shapes as images.
Immunoassay method with heating, reciprocal washing, magnetic particle discharge, and image-based capture/separation
An immunoassay method comprising a reaction tube, a T tip, a cartridge holder, a heating member, a washing tube, a signal measurement tube, magnetic particles of various shapes, and an image analyzer; the method includes heating the reaction tube, washing by up and down reciprocating movement, discharging magnetic particles to the signal measurement tube, and capturing and separating only specific analyte materials bound to the magnetic particles by image analysis of the discharged large magnetic particles.
Washing by lifting T tip while lower portion remains immersed to separate foreign materials
A washing condition in which the T tip is lifted so that foreign materials other than the magnetic particles are separated while the lower portion of the T tip remains immersed in cleaning liquid in a cleaning tube.
Overall claim coverage centers on an immunoassay cartridge system using a T tip and magnetic rod to move large magnetic particles of various shapes through washing and into a signal measurement tube, a cartridge holder with multiple mounting stages and a heating member, a defined distance relationship relative to heating-member thickness, and an image analyzer that performs multiple inspections by recognizing analyte materials bound to differently shaped magnetic particles as images. The method claim mirrors this sequence and adds reciprocal washing and image-based capture/separation, with a dependent refinement for separating foreign materials during washing.
Stated Advantages
Performs multiple inspections by recognizing analyte materials bound to magnetic particles by analyzing magnetic particles of various shapes as images.
Captures and separates only specific analyte materials bound to magnetic particles of one shape or various shapes by image analysis of discharged large magnetic particles.
Maintains a distance relationship such that the first and second distances are maintained longer than a thickness of the heating member.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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