Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A device for separating plasma or serum from whole blood comprising a matrix of hydrophilic sintered porous material in which at least one red blood cell agglutinating agent has been incorporated, said matrix being characterized by a pore size selected such that individual blood cells pass through said matrix but agglutinated blood cells are retained by said matrix.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
58 words
A device for separating plasma or serum from whole blood comprising a matrix of hydrophilic sintered porous material in which at least one red blood cell agglutinating agent has been incorporated, said matrix being characterized by a pore size selected such that individual blood cells pass through said matrix but agglutinated blood cells are retained by said matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said sintered porous material is selected from the group consisting of sintered glass, sintered steel, sintered ceramics, and sintered plastics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said sintered porous material is polyethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the pore size of said matrix is from about 10 microns to about 70 microns, and the quantity and type of agglutinating agents are selected such that at least 95% of the red blood cells contained within a blood sample added to the device are retained by the matrix.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 1, further comprising a filter means in liquid receiving relationship with said matrix.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 5 wherein said filter means is capable of retaining blood cells which pass through said matrix.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device according to claim 6, wherein at least one red blood cell agglutinating agent has been incorporated into said filter means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device according to claim 5, wherein said filter means is selected from the group consisting of derivatized or underivatized cellulose filter and porous polyethylene matrices.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device according to claim 5, wherein the pore size of said matrix is from about 10 microns to about 70 microns, and the quantity and type of agglutinating agents are selected such that at least 97% of the red blood cells contained within a blood sample added to the device are retained by said matrix and filter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device according to claim 1, further comprising a second matrix of hydrophilic sintered porous material in liquid receiving relationship with said first matrix which is capable of receiving a selected predetermined amount of plasma or serum from said first matrix.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
93 words
The device according to claim 1, comprising said first matrix; a first filter means in liquid receiving relationship with said first matrix; a second matrix of hydrophilic porous material in liquid receiving relationship with said first filter means; a second filter means in which at least one red blood cell agglutinating agent has been incorporated in liquid receiving relationship with said second matrix; and a third matrix of hydrophilic sintered porous material in liquid receiving relationship with said second filter means which is capable of receiving a selected amount of plasma or serum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device according to claim 1, further comprising additional matrices or filter means in liquid receiving relationship with the first matrix, wherein an analytical reagent selected for reaction with a selected component is incorporated within a member selected from the group consisting of said matrices and said filter means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for separating plasma or serum from whole blood comprising the steps: (a) applying a sample of whole blood to an inlet of a device comprising a matrix of hydrophilic sintered porous material in which at least one red blood cell agglutinating agent has been incorporated, said matrix being characterized by a pore size selected such that individual blood cells pass through said matrix but agglutinated blood cells are retained by said matrix; and (b) collecting the plasma or serum from an outlet of the device.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for separating plasma or serum from whole blood comprising the steps: (a) applying a sample of whole blood to an inlet of a device comprising a matrix of hydrophilic sintered porous material in which at least one red blood cell agglutinating agent has been incorporated, said matrix being characterized by a pore size selected such that individual blood cells pass through said matrix but agglutinated blood cells are retained by said matrix; and (b) collecting the plasma or serum from an outlet of the device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein the pore size of said matrix and the quantity and type of agglutinating agents are selected such that at least of red blood cells contained within said blood sample are retained by the matrix.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein said blood sample which has been applied to the inlet of said matrix is passed into a filter means in liquid receiving relationship with the outlet of said matrix.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 15, wherein said filter means functions to retain blood cells which pass through said matrix.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 15, wherein the pore size of said matrix and the quantity and type of agglutinating agents are selected such that at least 97% of red blood cells within said blood sample are retained by said matrix and filter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein said plasma or serum is collected by means of a second matrix of hydrophilic sintered material in liquid receiving relationship with said first matrix.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 18, wherein said plasma or serum is eluted from said second matrix by means of an elution buffer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method for the analysis of a selected component of blood plasma or serum utilizing a device according to claim 12, said method comprising the steps of applying a sample of whole blood to be analyzed to the first matrix and carrying out at least one chemical or immunological reactions for the analysis of said selected component.