Fluid elements--a concept for automation of diagnostic tests.
Constructs consisting of a channel, a membrane, and an absorber are designed for autonomously carrying out various liquid-handling functions of analytical tests. These so-called fluid elements can be used to set up various circuits for conducting several kinds of analytical tests. To demonstrate the feasibility of this concept, we constructed such a circuit and used it to perform, with two handling steps, an ELISA of hepatitis B surface antigen. The detection limit of the assay was comparable with those of state-of-the-art ELISAs for screening blood, and results could be obtained within a total test time of 20 min. We anticipate that this concept of automation may also serve as a basis for new, highly simplified immunoanalyzers.
Van Damme
H
H
Organon Teknika, Boxtel, The Netherlands.
Van Velthoven
T
T
Kaelen
E
E
Pelssers
E
E
D001322:Autoanalysis / Q000379:methods*; D002624:Chemistry, Clinical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D011312:Pressure; D012996:Solutions
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D012996:Solutions