Encapsulated reagents and methods of use

Abstract

The present invention contemplates use of encapsulated aqueous and non-aqueous reagents, solutions and solvents and their use in laboratory procedures. These encapsulated aqueous or non-aqueous reagents, solutions and solvents can be completely contained or encapsulated in microcapsules or nanocapsules that can be added to an aqueous or non-aqueous carrier solution or liquid required for medical and research laboratory testing of biological or non-biological specimens.

1 . A method of treating a biological specimen on an analytic substrate, comprising:
 providing an analytic substrate having a biological specimen disposed thereon;   providing a carrier solution having dispersed therein a quantity of microcapsules and/or nanocapsules containing at least one encapsulated reagent, solution or solvent wherein the microcapsules and/or nanocapsules can be disrupted by one or more predetermined conditions to cause release of the at least one encapsulated reagent, solution or solvent into the carrier solution;   disposing the carrier solution upon the analytic substrate; and   exposing the analytic substrate and the carrier solution thereon to the one or more predetermined conditions which cause disruption of the microcapsules and/or nanocapsules thereby causing the release of the at least one encapsulated reagent, solution or solvent into the carrier solution, wherein the encapsulated reagent, solution or solvent becomes available to act on or react with the biological specimen disposed upon the analytic substrate, and/or becomes available to react with the carrier solution and/or a component therein to form a reagent mixture or activated reagent which acts on or reacts with the biological specimen disposed upon the analytic substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the one or more predetermined conditions which cause disruption of the microcapsules and/or nanocapsules are selected from at least one of a temperature change, electrical current, magnetism, pH change, physical agitation, sonic agitation, a pressure change, or electromagnetic waves such as microwaves, UV, laser, visible light, and/or infrared. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the carrier solution is oil-based or oil soluble and the encapsulated reagent, solution or solvent is aqueous-based or aqueous soluble. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the carrier solution is aqueous-based or aqueous soluble and the encapsulated reagent, solution or solvent is oil-based or oil soluble. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the carrier solution is oil-based or oil soluble and the encapsulated reagent, solution or solvent is oil-based or oil soluble. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the carrier solution is aqueous-based or aqueous soluble and the encapsulated reagent, solution or solvent is aqueous-based or aqueous soluble. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the encapsulated reagent, solution or solvent, when released into the carrier solution, reacts with the carrier solution or the component therein to form the reagent mixture or activated reagent which reacts with or acts on the biological specimen.