AUTOMATED ANALYSIS WITH COMB-LIKE SUPPORT

Abstract: This invention discloses an automated chemical or biological analysis system comprising a comb-like support (10) having at least one tab (14) including a multiplicity of reactive zones (18) arranged in a two dimensional array (16) of predetermined configuration and an automatic reader (22) for reading the multiplicity of reactive zones.

Description: AUTOMATED ANALYSIS WITH COMB-LIKE SUPPORT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus, method and systems for automated chemical and biological analysis. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various apparatus and systems are known for automated chemical and biological analysis. Scientific work relating inter alia to cancer and genetic diseases has demonstrated that many diseases are associated with one or more markers. These markers may include, for example, genetic markers, cancer mark¬ ers, autoimmune disease markers etc. In biological and biochemical testing, each marker is associated with an analyte. Presently automatic test apparatus is known for simultaneously testing a multiplicity of samples of body fluid, such as blood or urine for a single marker or analyte. Examples of such apparatus include Elisa, com¬ mercially available from Ortho Diagnostic Systems, Abbot Laboratories and other suppliers. U.S. Patent 5,126,276 describes an analytical system for simultaneously assaying a plurality of samples for at least one analyte and including a comb-like ana¬ lyte support and a multi-compartment reaction container. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide an improved and automated " system employing a comb-like analyte support generally as described in the aforesaid U.S. Patent 5,126,276, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. It is a particular feature of the present invention that a relatively small sample of body fluid can be used simultaneously to test for a large number of markers or analytes. There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention an automat¬ ed analysis system including a comb-like analyte support having at least one tab including a. multiplicity of reactive zones arranged in a two dimensional array of predetermined configuration and automatic apparatus for reading the multiplicity of reactive zones. Preferably the comb-like device has a plurality of tabs. Additionally in accordance with a preferred there is provided a comb-like analyte support having at least one tab and preferably a plurality of tabs, each including a multiplicity of reactive zones arranged in a two dimensional array of predetermined configuration. Further in accordance with a preferred embodi¬ ment of the present invention there is provided a method for producing a comb-like analyte support having at least one tab and preferably a plurality of tabs, each includ¬ ing a multiplicity of reactive zones arranged in a two dimensional array of predetermined configuration, the method comprising the steps of: providing a comb-like analyte support blank having a plurality of tabs; and automatically dispensing onto each tab of the blank, analyte material in a two dimensional array of predetermined configuration. There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention an automat¬ ed analysis method including the steps of: dispensing analytes at a multiplicity of reac¬ tive zones arranged in a two dimensional array of prede¬ termined configuration on at least one tab of an analyte support, carrying out a test using the analytes; and following the test, automatically reading the multiplicity of reactive zones. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the multiplicity of reactive zones includes at least a plurality of different analytes. Further in accordance with a preferred embodi¬ ment of the present invention the automatic apparatus for reading the multiplicity of reactive zones comprises a color scanner and comparator for comparing the scanning image of the multiplicity of reactive zones with at least one reference image. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed de¬ scription, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embod¬ iment of an analyte bearing support constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustra¬ tion of an analysis system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustra¬ tion of a method and apparatus for producing the analyte bearing support of Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which is a pictorial illustration of an analyte bearing support 10 constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The support 10 comprises a blank typically formed of paper, of nitrocel¬ lulose, glass fibers or high impact polystyrene including a handle portion 12 and at least one and preferably a plurality of generally parallel tabs 14 depending there¬ from. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is formed on each of the tabs 14 at least one closely spaced two-dimensional array 16 of analytes 18, each analyte defining a reactive zone. In the illustrated embodiment, each analyte appears as a round drop. It is appreciated that any other suitable shape, such as a stripe or triangle may alternatively be employed. Referring now additionally to Fig. 2, it is seen that a support 10 may be used to conduct a test, such as a chemical, biochemical, biological or other suitable test, preferably in association with a multi- chambered container 20, such as that described in assign¬ ee's U.S. Patent 5,126,276, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Following the test, the analyte support is supplied to a scanner 22, such as a scanner described and claimed in assignee's copending Israel Patent Application 108301 the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, or any other suitable scanner. Scanner 22 is operative to provide an output indication of the colors of each of the analytes 18 in each array 16 on the sup¬ port 10. The scanner is preferably responsive to both the spectral frequency and the intensity of the colors. The output indication from scanner 22 is sup- plied to analysis apparatus 24, which preferably com¬ prises a comparator 26which is operative to compare the output indication with at least one reference. The refer¬ ence may be a stored reference which corresponds to a given test result or alternatively may be a reference which is read simultaneously from an adjacent array on the same or a different tab 14. The comparator may provide an output indicative of the test results to a operator interface 28 which may comprise a display or printer as well as to data storage and processing apparatus 30. Reference is now made to Fig. 3, which is a simplified block diagram illustration of a method and apparatus for producing the analyte bearing support of Fig. 1. Support blanks 40 are prepared from suitable substrate by a die cutter 42 and are supplied to a pre¬ cise dispenser 44, employing a three-dimensional posi¬ tioner such as those commonly used in the electronic industry, for example the Dot Master system commercially available from Diraa SMT Systems NL BV of Deurne, the Netherlands. The dispenser 44 is operative to dispense on at least one tab at least one closely spaced two-dimen¬ sional array 16 of analytes 18, each analyte defining a reactive zone. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims which follow:

Claims: C L A I M S 1. An automated analysis system comprising: a comb-like analyte support having at least one tab including a multiplicity of reactive zones arranged in a two dimensional array of predetermined configura¬ tion; and an automatic reader for reading the multiplic¬ ity of reactive zones. 2. A comb-like analyte support having at least one tab including a multiplicity of reactive zones arranged in a two dimensional array of predetermined configura¬ tion; and an automatic reader for reading the multiplici¬ ty of reactive zones. 3. A method for producing a comb-like analyte support having at least one tab including a multiplicity of reactive zones arranged in a two dimensional array of predetermined configuration, the method comprising the steps of: providing a comb-like analyte support blank having a plurality of tabs; and automatically dispensing onto each tab of the blank, analyte material in a two dimensional array of predetermined configuration. 4. An automated analysis method including the steps of: dispensing analytes at a multiplicity of reac¬ tive zones arranged in a two dimensional array of prede¬ termined configuration on at least one tab of an analyte support; carrying out a test using the analytes; and following the test, automatically reading the multiplicity of reactive zones. 5. Apparatus according to either of claims 1 and 2 and wherein the multiplicity of reactive zones includes at least a plurality of different analytes. 6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1, 2 and 5 and wherein the automatic reader comprises a color scan¬ ner and comparator for comparing a scanned image of the multiplicity of reactive zones with at least one refer¬ ence image. 7. A method according to either of claims 3 and 4 and wherein the multiplicity of reactive zones includes at least a plurality of different analytes. 8. A method according to either of claims 4 and 7 and wherein the automatic reading step comprises color scanning and comparing a scanned image of the multiplici¬ ty of reactive zones with at least one reference image. 9. Apparatus according to any of claims 1, 2, 5 and 6 and wherein said at least one tab comprises a plurality of tabs. 10. A method according to any of claims 3, 4, 7 and 8 and wherein said at least one tab comprises a plurality of tabs.

Inventors: HERZBERG MAX, HERZBERG, MAX
Applicants: HERZBERG MAX, ORGENICS INTERNATIONAL HOLDING, HERZBERG, MAX, ORGENICS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS B.V.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G01N35
IPC codes: B01L3, G01N33, G01N35