Patent ID: 7713484
Filing Date: 2010-05-11
Classification: B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A device for isolating, on a reactive surface, an analyte from a liquid sample containing the analyte, the device comprising: a means for forming and/or maintaining a reaction drop having a shape which is symmetrical about at least one reference axis selected from the group consisting of a tube having an open free end designed to form and suspend the reaction drop, a ring designed to form and suspend the reaction drop, and a grooved, beveled solid rod designed to form and suspend the reaction drop, wherein the reaction drop: consists of the analyte, and an internal liquid medium in which the analyte is distributed, forms an interface with an external medium which is different from the internal liquid medium, and has a surface tension with respect to the external medium; a means for generating a thermal gradient that comprises a heating means for generating heat in the reaction drop and a cooling means for generating cold in the reaction drop, said cooling means being positioned at a distance from and opposite to said heating means, wherein said means for generating the thermal gradient: aligns the thermal gradient with the at least one reference axis to define a hot region and a cold region on either side of the at least one reference axis, induces a variation in the surface tension, parallel to the at least one reference axis, and sets the internal liquid medium in motion along a closed path of forced microconvection, the closed path comprising an axial forward circulation from the cold region to the hot region, and a peripheral return circulation from the hot region to the cold region, and a reactive surface comprising a substrate on which a reagent that specifically binds with the analyte is distributed and fixed, the reactive surface being supported by a support means and being in contact with the internal liquid medium in the forced microconvection path of the internal liquid medium.