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Publication Number
US-8821812-B2
Publication Date
2014-09-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
An absorbing zone for establishing and/or maintaining fluid transport through or along at least one fluid passage is manufactured on the basis of a non-porous substrate having a surface, the non-porous substrate having projections substantially perpendicular to the surface, and the projections having a height, diameter and a distance or distances between the projections such, that lateral capillary flow of the fluid in the zone is achieved.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a device for handling a fluid to be assayed that includes a non-porous substrate having a substrate surface and at least one open fluid passage integrated into the substrate. The open fluid passage has a first end at which fluid is added and a second end opposite the first end, and the passage supports capillary flow to transport the fluid along the substrate surface in a flow direction from the first end toward the second end.
The device includes at least one separate absorbing zone in fluid contact with the second end of the at least one open fluid passage. The absorbing zone includes a plurality of projections substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface, with height, diameter, and distance or distances between the projections such that the plurality of projections is capable of generating capillary flow, lateral to the substrate surface, of fluid added to the first end and contacting the absorbing zone.
The plurality of projections and the open fluid passage are arranged so that fluid transport is established and maintained by the absorbing zone. The substrate, the at least one open fluid passage, and the at least one separate absorbing zone are made from the same material.
A foil is directly placed on the top of the perpendicular projections of the absorbing zone, with the foil being solely and fully supported upon the projections. The foil has hydrophilic properties used to influence the flow velocity of fluid along the substrate surface from the first end to the second end of the open fluid passage, and to accurately limit the fluid volume defined by the projections.
Claims Coverage
The document contains three independent claims. The core inventive features are the non-porous substrate with an integrated open fluid passage that supports capillary flow, the absorbing zone made of substantially perpendicular projections that generate lateral capillary flow, and the foil directly supported on the projections with hydrophilic properties to influence flow velocity and limit or control fluid volume.
Non-porous open fluid passage supporting capillary flow
A device comprising a non-porous substrate having a substrate surface and at least one open fluid passage integrated into the substrate, the open fluid passage having a first end at which fluid is added and a second end opposite the first end, the at least one open fluid passage being capable of supporting capillary flow.
Absorbing zone of perpendicular projections generating lateral capillary flow
A device in which at least one separate absorbing zone is in fluid contact with the second end of the at least one open fluid passage, where the absorbing zone comprises a plurality of projections substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface, each projection having a height, diameter and a distance or distances between the projections, capable of generating capillary flow lateral to the substrate surface.
Foil directly supported on projections with hydrophilic properties to influence flow velocity and limit fluid volume
A device including a foil directly placed on the top of the perpendicular projections of the at least one absorbing zone, the foil being solely and fully supported upon the projections and having hydrophilic properties to influence the flow velocity of fluid along the substrate surface and to accurately limit the fluid volume defined by the projections.
Same material for substrate, fluid passage, and absorbing zone
A device in which the substrate, the at least one open fluid passage, and the at least one separate absorbing zone are made from the same material.
Method establishing and maintaining capillary transport by absorbing capacity not added volume
A method for maintaining and promoting fluid transport in an assay device that establishes and maintains fluid transport in the open fluid passage wherein the fluid transport is established and maintained by the absorbing capacity of the provided absorbing zone and not by the volume of fluid added to the first end.
Method of influencing flow velocity by selecting hydrophilic foil properties
A method that influences the flow velocity of fluid added to the device along the open fluid passage by selection of hydrophilic properties of the foil.
Integral absorbing zone producing lateral capillary flow with foil influencing velocity
A device in which at least one separate absorbing zone is integral to the substrate and in fluid contact with the second end, the open fluid passage and absorbing zone comprising a plurality of projections with a height, diameter and a spacing between the projections that spontaneously produces capillary flow laterally to the substrate surface, and a foil directly placed onto at least a portion of the plurality of projections having hydrophilic properties for influencing the flow velocity of fluid along the open fluid passage.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on a non-porous substrate with an open fluid passage that supports capillary flow, an absorbing zone formed from substantially perpendicular projections that spontaneously generate lateral capillary flow, and a foil directly supported on the projections with hydrophilic properties to influence flow velocity and limit or control fluid transport so that transport is established and maintained by absorbing capacity rather than by added fluid volume. A further covered aspect specifies that the substrate, open fluid passage, and absorbing zone are made from the same material.
Stated Advantages
Replacing conventional porous absorbing pads.
Improved uniformity and reliability of capillary fluid transport.
Repeatable mass production.
Adjustable absorbing capacity.
Predictable sample/reagent draw independent of added sample volume.
Documented Applications
Fluid-transport absorbing zone used to establish, maintain, and meter fluid transport in lateral-flow assay devices, including strip tests, with configurations including parallel fluid passages.
Assay devices where fluid transport is controlled by the absorbing capacity of the absorbing zone rather than by the volume of fluid added at the inlet.
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