Chromatographic assay system

Abstract

The present application discloses an analyte detection apparatus having at least one reservoir area and a wicking membrane, wherein a labeled specific binding partner is impregnated on the reservoir area; and a region on the wicking membrane where at least one chemical component is immobilized.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An analyte detection apparatus having at least one reservoir area and a wicking membrane, wherein a labeled specific binding partner is impregnated on the reservoir area; and a region on the wicking membrane where at least one chemical component is immobilized.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the label is rare earth chelate.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the label is lanthanide(III) chelate.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the label is europium(III), terbium(III), samarium(III), or dysprosium(III), or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the analyte is selected from the group consisting of an antigen, an antibody, a nucleic acid and a hapten.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the specific binding partner is selected from the group consisting of an antigen, an antibody, a nucleic acid, biotin or biotin analogue, streptavidin, avidin and a hapten.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one chemical component is selected from a group consisting of an antigen, an antibody, a nucleic acid, biotin or biotin analogue, streptavidin, avidin and a hapten.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , which is a lateral flow assay format apparatus.  
     
     
         9 . A method of determining the presence of an analyte in a sample comprising applying an amount of the sample to the apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein if at least one analyte is present in the sample, the sample migrates to the wicking membrane where a chemical reaction occurs, wherein presence of a signal indicates that the analyte is present in the sample.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the signal is generated by a rare earth chelate.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the a rare earth chelate is lanthanide(III) chelate.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the lanthanide(III) is europium(III), terbium(III), samarium(III), or dysprosium(III), or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the sample is a biological sample.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of blood, serum, plasma, urine, saliva, sweat and liquid media processed from a biological or environmental sample.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the analyte is selected from the group consisting of an antigen, an antibody, a nucleic acid and a hapten.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the chemical reaction is with a chemical selected from the group consisting of an antigen, an antibody, a nucleic acid, biotin or biotin analogue, streptavidin, avidin and a hapten.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein a plurality of types of analytes in a sample are detected.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the apparatus is a lateral flow assay format apparatus.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the analyte is specific to a pathogen.  
     
     
         20 . A kit comprising a container which comprises the apparatus according to  claim 1  and instructions on using the kit.