Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
271 words
A fluid circuit reaction vessel for detecting a target substance contained in a minute amount in a fluid sample, wherein said vessel comprises: (A) a body structure, said body structure comprising an upstream portion on one side of a center of gravity of the body structure and a downstream portion on the other side of the center of gravity of the body structure; (B) a fluid circuit defined in said body structure, said fluid circuit comprising, (a) at least one fluid inlet for introducing at least one fluid including the fluid sample containing the target substance, said fluid inlet being provided in the upstream portion of the body structure, (b) at least one fluid sump provided in the downstream portion of the body structure, (c) at least one fluid channel connecting said fluid inlet and said fluid sump, (d) at least one reagent-immobilized area provided in said fluid channel, said reagent-immobilized area having a reagent fixedly immobilized thereto, said reagent being able to specifically react with said target substance contained in the sample, (e) at least one reagent-attached area provided in said fluid channel between said fluid inlet and said reagent immobilized area, said reagent-attached area having a reagent reversibly attached thereto, and (f) a vent mechanism comprising at least one ventilatory outlet provided in said fluid circuit for venting said fluid circuit; and (g) a rocking means for allowing said body structure to become inclined with said downstream portion of the body structure including said fluid sump moving downward to indicate substantial completion of the detection, said inclination being induced by the movement of the fluid into said fluid sump.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
271 words
A fluid circuit reaction vessel for detecting a target substance contained in a minute amount in a fluid sample, wherein said vessel comprises: (A) a body structure, said body structure comprising an upstream portion on one side of a center of gravity of the body structure and a downstream portion on the other side of the center of gravity of the body structure; (B) a fluid circuit defined in said body structure, said fluid circuit comprising, (a) at least one fluid inlet for introducing at least one fluid including the fluid sample containing the target substance, said fluid inlet being provided in the upstream portion of the body structure, (b) at least one fluid sump provided in the downstream portion of the body structure, (c) at least one fluid channel connecting said fluid inlet and said fluid sump, (d) at least one reagent-immobilized area provided in said fluid channel, said reagent-immobilized area having a reagent fixedly immobilized thereto, said reagent being able to specifically react with said target substance contained in the sample, (e) at least one reagent-attached area provided in said fluid channel between said fluid inlet and said reagent immobilized area, said reagent-attached area having a reagent reversibly attached thereto, and (f) a vent mechanism comprising at least one ventilatory outlet provided in said fluid circuit for venting said fluid circuit; and (g) a rocking means for allowing said body structure to become inclined with said downstream portion of the body structure including said fluid sump moving downward to indicate substantial completion of the detection, said inclination being induced by the movement of the fluid into said fluid sump.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 1, wherein said rocking means is selected from the group consisting of (a) the body structure having a pair of supports on a lower major surface thereof, (b) the body structure having a plate on a lower major surface thereof, and (c) the body structure having a curved lower major surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 1, wherein said fluid sump comprises said fluid channel capable of holding the fluid which has undergone the detection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said reagent-immobilized area and said reagent-attached area is in the form of at least one of a recess and a group of protrusions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 1, wherein said circuit has at least one fluid reservoir in communication with said fluid inlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said channel extends vertically.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 1, wherein said channel comprises a capillary channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 1, wherein said channel has a throat having a smaller diameter than the rest of the channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 1, wherein said fluid channel is dilated in at least one of said reagent-immobilized area and said reagent-attached area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of said fluid circuit comprises a hydrophilic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 1, wherein said fluid circuit comprises one fluid inlet, said fluid sump and one fluid channel, and a plurality of non-cross-reacting reagents are immobilized in said channel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 1, wherein said fluid circuit comprises one fluid inlet and two or more fluid sumps, and the fluid channel is branched to connect said one fluid inlet and said two or more fluid sumps, and wherein the reagent-immobilized area is provided in each branch of the branched channel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 1, wherein said reaction vessel has two or more fluid circuits, arranged in rows.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 1, wherein said fluid sump has a water-absorbent material accommodated therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 14, wherein said water-absorbent material is an absorbent wadding.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 1, wherein a thread of a hydrophilic material is accommodated in at least one portion of said channel between said reagent-immobilized area and said fluid sump.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 16, wherein at least a part of said hydrophilic thread is stretched in a non-capillary hollow chamber defined in said channel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 1, wherein said body structure comprises at least one segment having the fluid circuit defined therein.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
61 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 18, wherein said structure comprises at least first, second and third adjacent segments and said at least one channel comprises a first channel defined between said first and second adjacent segments and a second channel defined between said second and third adjacent segments, wherein the first and second channels are in communication with each other.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 18, wherein said body structure comprises a lid segment in addition to the segment having the fluid circuit defined therein.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 20, wherein said segment having the fluid circuit defined therein is in close contact with said lid segment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The reaction vessel according to claim 20, wherein an intervening space is defined between said segment having the fluid circuit defined therein and said lid segment.