Patent ID: 6350616
Filing Date: 2002-02-26
Classification: B01L

Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a device for assay of a liquid sample having:a support composed of an organic macromolecule, said support having a surface divided into at least two areas located adjacent to each other; a divider on the surface defining a border between said two areas to separate the areas into a first area and a second area; a detection layer affixed the first and containing a reagent; and a water-swelling layer affixed to the second area, said water-swelling layer being capable of expanding by absorbing water when a water-containing liquid sample is applied to the water-swelling layer to extend a part of the water-swelling layer over the divider and into contact with the detection layer, said divider preventing the water-swelling layer from completely covering the detection layer so that a portion of the detection layer remains exposed, the liquid sample moving by capilarity from the water-swelling layer to the detection layer where it reacts with the reagent, thereby permitting the reaction in the detection layer to be identified optically, said method comprising the steps of: (a) reforming a perimeter of the first area on the surface of the support so as to render the perimeter hydrophilic; (b) forming the divider composed of a water-repellent material on the reformed perimeter; (c) reforming the first area and at least a portion of the second area adjacent to the divider so as to render them hydrophilic; and (d) affixing the detection layer and the water-swelling layer to the reformed first area and reformed portion of the second area respectively.