Patent ID: 6146591
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A biochemical detection system for rapid determination of the presence of toxins, bacteria, and other substances comprising:a sampling matrix, said sampling matrix comprising a rectangularly shaped tray having a plurality of rows, a first said row forming a single trough reservoir well, a second said row having a plurality of individual wells, said individual wells of said second row containing a lyophilized reaction mixture, said wells containing said lyophilized reaction mixture being covered by a secured covering, and a third row containing capture membrane wells comprising a flow through membrane which allows passage of unreacted conjugate through the membrane and captures an analyte-conjugate complex on a surface of said membrane;a drive unit, said drive unit comprising a plurality of syringes used to collect and expel samples and reagents, said syringes containing plungers,a motor for forwardly advancing the sampling matrix;a second motor for raising and lowering said syringes;a third motor for raising and lowering said plungers within said syringes to draw up and expel reagents and samples;a device for reading and detecting positive results;a device for timing and regulating sampling allowing for the continuous testing of said samples, without the need for human monitoring or operation of said system.