Patent ID: 6605476
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
An immunochromatographic assay device in which:(1) one or more chromatographic strips having at least a sample addition site and a detection site are spaced apart from one another and placed on a substrate comprising a flat plate or without a strip support interposed therebetween; (2) a sealing film is placed on said chromatographic strips with or without a protective laminate interposed therebetween to cover all the chromatographic strips; (3) portions of said substrate and sealing film are adhered around each of the chromatographic strips to seal each chromatographic strip; (4) said adhesion between the sealing film and the substrate is such that the sealing film may easily be peeled off from the substrate at least at the sample addition site; (5) (i) either the sealing film or the substrate comprises either or both of a desiccant-containing film and an oxygen absorbent-containing film; or (ii) the sealing film comprises either of a desiccant-containing film or an oxygen absorbent-containing film while the substrate comprises the other film, or (iii) either of the sealing film or the substrate comprises either of a desiccant-containing film or an oxygen absorbent-containing film while the other comprises both a desiccant-containing film and an oxygen absorbent-containing film, or (iv) both the sealing film and the substrate comprise either or both of desiccant-containing film and an oxygen absorbent-containing film; and (6) when the sealing film and/or the substrate comprise desiccant-containing film, the sealing film and the substrate are substantially impermeable to water at least at portions other than said adhered portions; or when the sealing film and/or the substrate comprise an oxygen absorbent-containing film, the sealing film and the substrate are substantially impermeable to oxygen at least at portions other than said adhered portions.