Patent ID: 6676904
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A sensor for a selected analyte in a test solution, comprising:a test vessel; a semipermeable membrane with pores for retaining the analyte, dividing said test vessel into a first volume and a second volume, said pores are selected to prevent the analyte from passing into or through said semipermeable membrane; wherein said membrane is chemically modified by attachment of membrane modifiers on at least a side facing said first volume but not within said pores; wherein said membrane supports a 100 kPa pressure load, said membrane is functionalized with a binder at the surface of said membrane in order for said membrane to act as a sensor; assay labels, disposed within said first volume, said assay labels having label modifiers, said label modifiers having a binding affinity for the membrane modifiers in the presence of the analyte, and a measurably different binding affinity for said membrane modifiers in the absence of the analyte; a pressure source, for driving said test solution from said first volume into said second volume; and a label detecting system, for detecting the presence or absence of said labels on said membrane.