Test module with suspended electrochemiluminescent probes

Abstract

A test module for detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a fluid, the test module having an outer casing having an inlet for receiving the fluid containing the target nucleic acid sequences, electrode pairs for receiving an electrical pulse, electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes adjacent each of the electrode pairs respectively, each of the ECL probes having an ECL luminophore for emitting photons when in an excited state and a functional moiety for quenching photon emission from the ECL luminophore by resonant energy transfer, such that the electrical pulse to the electrode pair excites the ECL luminophores, wherein, the ECL probes are not anchored to a surface and form a suspension in the fluid containing the target nucleic acid sequences during detection.

Description

CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS[0001]The following applications have been filed by the Applicant which relate to the present application:GBS001USGBS002USGBS003USGBS005USGBS006USGSR001USGSR002USGAS001USGAS002USGAS003USGAS004USGAS006USGAS007USGAS008USGAS009USGAS010USGAS012USGAS013USGAS014USGAS015USGAS016USGAS017USGAS018USGAS019USGAS020USGAS021USGAS022USGAS023USGAS024USGAS025USGAS026USGAS027USGAS028USGAS030USGAS031USGAS032USGAS033USGAS034USGAS035USGAS036USGAS037USGAS038USGAS039USGAS040USGAS041USGAS042USGAS043USGAS044USGAS045USGAS046USGAS047USGAS048USGAS049USGAS050USGAS054USGAS055USGAS056USGAS057USGAS058USGAS059USGAS060USGAS061USGAS062USGAS063USGAS065USGAS066USGAS067USGAS068USGAS069USGAS070USGAS080USGAS081USGAS082USGAS083USGAS084USGAS085USGAS086USGAS087USGAS088USGAS089USGAS090USGAS091USGAS092USGAS093USGAS094USGAS095USGAS096USGAS097USGAS098USGAS099USGAS100USGAS101USGAS102USGAS103USGAS104USGAS105USGAS106USGAS108USGAS109USGAS110USGAS111USGAS112USGAS113USGAS114USGAS115USGAS117USGAS118USGAS119USGAS1...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0093]The suspended probes with their large electrical excitation depth and large emission optical depth increase the readout sensitivity. The suspended probes are spotted more easily and inexpensively.

[0094]The electrochemiluminescence-based assay target detection obviates any need, of the assay system, for an excitation light source, excitation optics, and optical filter elements, in turn, providing for a more compact and more inexpensive assay system. The absence of the requirement for the rejection of any excitation light also simplifies the detector circuitry, making the assay system even more inexpensive.

Problems solved by technology

Insufficient stringency can result in a high degree of nonspecific binding.

Excessive stringency can lead to a failure of appropriate binding, which results in diminished sensitivity.

Despite the advantages that molecular diagnostic tests offer, the growth of this type of testing in the clinical laboratory has been slower than expected and remains a minor part of the practice of laboratory medicine.

This is primarily due to the complexity and costs associated with nucleic acid testing compared with tests based on methods not involving nucleic acids.

However, controlling fluid flow through the LOC device, adding reagents, controlling reaction conditions and so on necessitate bulky external plumbing and electronics.

Connecting a LOC device to these external devices effectively restricts the use of LOC devices for molecular diagnostics to the laboratory setting.

The cost of the external equipment and complexity of its operation precludes LOC-based molecular diagnostics as a practical option for point-of-care settings.

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