Patent ID: 6716640
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: G01N,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for determining the presence or amount of an analyte in a sample by electrochemiluminescence measurement comprising the steps of:a) providing an electrochemiluminescence device comprising a measuring electrode, b) bringing a conditioning liquid which contains an electrochemiluminescence cosubstrate into contact with the electrode, c) applying a negative potential to the electrode, thereby forming a layer containing activated molecules of the electrochemiluminescence cosubstrate on the electrode, d) bringing the sample and a detection reagent into contact with the electrode, the detection reagent comprising a marker group coupled to a substance immunologically reactive with the analyte, the marker group comprising a metal complex comprising a group selected from the group consisting of charge carriers and hydrophilic groups and generating a detectable signal upon reaction with the analyte, e) applying a potential to the electrode which enables an electrochemiluminescence reaction to proceed, f) measuring the signal during a measurement interval of at least 0.5 seconds, and g) correlating the measured signal with the presence or amount of the analyte in the sample.