METHODS AND DEVICES FOR THE SEPARATION OF PLASMA OR SERUM FROM WHOLE BLOOD, COLLECTION OF PLASMA OR SERUM, AND REAGENT DELIVERY SYSTEM

摘要

A device and method for permitting the separation ofplasma or serum from whole blood. The device comprises amatrix of hydrophilic sintered porous material to which atleast one red blood cell agglutinating agent has beenapplied. According to a first method of using the device, asample of whole blood is applied to a first end of the matrixand the red blood cells within the sample come in contact withthe agglutinating agents present in the matrix. The bloodcells agglutinate, and are entrapped in the interstices of thematrix, while substantially blood-cell-free serum or plasmaaccumulates near the outlet of the device. A filter means inliquid receiving relationship with the matrix functions towick the serum or plasma from the matrix.According to an alternative aspect of the invention, afilter means in liquid receiving relationship with the outletof the matrix functions to retain any blood cells which passthrough the matrix as the filter means wicks the plasma orserum from the matrix. Additional agglutinating agents may beincorporated within the filter means to facilitate retentionof blood cells which pass through the matrix.Another aspect of the present invention involves adevice for the measurement of a serum or plasma sample,utilizing a matrix of sintered porous material, such assintered glass, sintered steel, sintered ceramics, sinteredplastics, and equivalents thereof. The matrix ischaracterized by a reproducible fluid uptake capacityproportional to the fixed dimensions of said matrix, a minimalreactivity with plasma or serum components, and a hydrophilicinternal surface which enables the matrix to collect andretain a predetermined volume of sample for analysis.A further aspect of the present invention provides aporous reagent delivery system comprising a matrix of sinteredporous material containing at least one reagent in afreeze-dried state, and method for making same. The systemallows the delivery of a unitized form of a freeze-driedreagent which is recoverable upon contact with a liquid.