Hydrophilic diagnostic devices for use in the assaying of biological fluids

Abstract

Diagnostic in-vitro devices for use in the assaying of biological fluids are provided which include cover plates or backing strips which exhibit hydrophilic properties to assist in transport of the biological fluid or retention of same within the device. Exemplary diagnostic devices include lateral flow devices, microfluidic devices and microtiter plates. The devices may also be comprised of low fluorescent material in order to facilitate any diagnostic determination by use of fluorescent emissions. Hydrophilic properties may be imparted to the cover plates or backing strips by physical or chemical treatment thereof. The cover plates or backing strips may exhibit heat sealable or pressure sensitive properties.

1 . An in-vitro diagnostic microplate device comprising a base plate having a multitude of cavities formed therein and a cover overlying and sealing at least one end of said cavities, wherein a surface of said cover facing said cavities comprises either a hydrophilic heat-sealable adhesive or a hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         2 . The in-vitro diagnostic microplate device of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of said cover facing said cavities is a hydrophilic heat-sealable adhesive. 
     
     
         3 . The in-vitro diagnostic microplate device of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of said cover facing said cavities is a hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The in-vitro diagnostic microplate device of  claim 1 , wherein the cavities are microholes extending through the base portion. 
     
     
         5 . The in-vitro diagnostic microplate device of  claim 1 , wherein the cavities are microwells. 
     
     
         6 . The in-vitro diagnostic microplate device of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of said cover facing said cavities is surface-treated. 
     
     
         7 . The in-vitro diagnostic microplate device of  claim 1 , wherein said cover comprises a low fluorescent material. 
     
     
         8 . The in-vitro diagnostic microplate device of  claim 1 , wherein said cover comprises a polymeric material with which a surfactant is admixed to provide hydrophilic surface properties. 
     
     
         9 . The in-vitro diagnostic microplate device of  claim 8 , wherein said surfactant is a non-ionic or anionic surfactant. 
     
     
         10 . The in-vitro diagnostic microplate device of  claim 8 , wherein said surfactant is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, nonylphenol ethyoxylate and polyalkylenyene-oxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane. 
     
     
         11 . The in-vitro diagnostic microplate device of  claim 8 , wherein said surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium or ammonium salts of nonyl phenol ethoxyl sulfonic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium 2-ethylhexyl sulfate and sodium dioctylsulfo succinate. 
     
     
         12 . The in-vitro diagnostic microplate device of  claim 8 , wherein said surfactant is selected from the group consisting of the ionic salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propanesulfonic acid, N-vinyl caprolactam, caprolactone acrylate, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, and sulfate and acrylic monomers.