A fixing method for blading of a fluid-flow machine, in which first of all the turbine blades (31, 32) are inserted into the fastening slot (1) of a rotor (2) or stator until only the intermediate fitting gap is left, into which two insert elements designed as end piece halves (41, 42) are then inserted. After that, a wedge (6) is inserted into the gap between the end piece halves (41, 42), and the end piece halves (41, 42) together with the wedge (6) are welded by a joining weld (10). With the method according to the invention and the arrangement according to the invention, axial forces which can warp the rotor (2) and thus cause increased rotor vibrations are advantageously avoided. The invention also relates to a fixing arrangement according to the invention.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a fixing method for the blading of a fluid-flow machine and to a fixing arrangement.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
The fixing of the blading of the above type relates to moving or guide blades inside fluid-flow machines, such as, for example, a compressor or a turbine of a gas turbine plant or another thermal turbomachine. Moving blades are fastened in a fastening slot along the circumference of the rotor of the thermal turbomachine. They are to be positioned in a suitable manner as a function of the respective flow conditions and are to be reliably secured with respect to misalignments which occur or against complete release from the fastening slot during operation of the thermal turbomachine.
There is the risk of individual moving blades being completely released from the circumferential slot if the moving blades are unevenly displaced within the respective fitting clearance in the circumferential direction along the fastening slot on the rotor. Due to such peripheral misalignments, with a multiplicity of moving blades inserted along the fastening slot, a considerable gap may arise between two adjacent moving blades, this gap being large enough for a moving blade to be released from the fastening slot by radial twisting. This may cause considerable damage to the entire turbomachine plant.
Safety measures against the release of individual moving blades from the fastening slot generally relate to the reduction of the clearance between two adjacent blade roots inside the fastening slot. After the fitting of all the moving blades inserted into the fastening slot and of the whole intermediate pieces and the halved intermediate pieces, an "intermediate fitting gap", into which a "rotor end piece" is inserted, is obtained between two opposite moving blades. This ensures that the clearance present between the moving blades, inserted into the fastening slot, and intermediate pieces is limited to a minimum.
However, on account of the varying thermal expansion behavior between the blades, the rotor end piece and the rotor during operation, a clearance is produced between the blades and the intermediate pieces, located inside the fastening slot, including the rotor end piece. On account of the circumferential clearance arising in the process, a situation may arise in which the end piece halves are displaced relative to one another in such a manner in the circumferential direction along the fastening slot. The intermediate piece may then be released, for example, from the heart-shaped recesses. Such a case leads in turn to the damage scenario already described at the beginning.
In order to prevent such damage, DE-A1-101 34 611 describes a fixing arrangement for blading of a fluid-flow machine in which an intermediate fitting gap is provided between at least two turbine blades inserted in an adjacent position inside the fastening slot. The two insert elements, designed as end piece halves, are inserted into the intermediate fitting gap. These insert elements enclose a gap between them into which a fixing wedge can be inserted. The wedge is characterized by the fact that it provides at least one connecting element toward the side of the turbine blade and at least one of two turbine blades adjoining the wedge provides a mating contour corresponding to the connecting element. Thus the wedge and the turbine blade form a positive-locking connection with one another.
A disadvantage of this embodiment, however, is that additional axial forces are thereby produced, which act on the rotor. These axial forces may lead to the rotor becoming warped, thus causing increased rotor vibrations.

Fixing method for the blading of a fluid-flow machine and fixing arrangement


A method for singulating a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer populated with a plurality of MEMS devices. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises mounting a glass cover onto the wafer, then orienting the wafer and removably mounting it on an adhesive tape. A partial cut or series of partial cuts is then made through the cover to facilitate the later removal of selected cover portions using an automated process. The dice are then separated using a series of full cuts made perpendicular and parallel to the partial cuts and the selected cover portions removed from each die. The separated dice are then packaged for use or for further fabrication.

A MEMS (micro electromechanical system) device is used, for example, in the manufacture of display devices that are controlled by digital information. There are currently in development, and also in use, a number of alternatives to the standard CRT (cathode ray tube) display that has for years been a common manner of displaying visual images and text in such applications as televisions and computer monitors. These new types of displays vary somewhat with respect to each other, but are often superior to CRT displays in that they are more compact, or produce a superior visual image, or both. Digital Light Processing®, or DLP®, commercially available from Texas Instruments of Dallas, Tex., is one such alternative. DLP® is used, for example, to produce the visual displays in high-definition television (HDTV) applications.
Naturally, these different types of displays differ primarily with respect to the method by which the image is produced. In a DLP® system, a MEMS device called a DMD (digital micro-mirror device) typically performs a key part of this function. The DMD modulates, that is, alters the characteristics of, light received from a light source by selectively reflecting portions of the received light beam to create an image. FIG. 1 is a partial aerial (plan) view of a DMD 100, exemplary of one that may be used in a DLP® system. The portion of DMD 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 shows micro-mirrors 24 through 29 (partially-shown mirrors are not numbered). Mounting vias 30 through 35 are formed to mount the micro-mirrors 24 through 29, respectively. Note that in this illustration it is assumed that the micro-mirrors are substantially the same and mounted in the same way, so only one of them will be discussed in detail.
Micro-mirror 25 for example, is a very small mirror having a reflecting surface 125. It is mounted by via 31 onto a hinge 131 that allows micro-mirror 25 to tilt in two or more directions. The direction at which each individual micro-mirror is tilted at any given moment determines the direction in which light striking the mirror surface 125 will be reflected. The direction of mirror tilt is controlled by small electrical voltages alternately applied to posts 135 and 140, which either attract or repel a nearby portion of the micro-mirror 25, causing it to retain or to change its orientation. A memory cell (not shown) located underneath micro-mirror 25 allows the controlled-voltage operation, and the memory cell is in turn driven by a controller located elsewhere (and also not shown in FIG. 1). Note that although only six micro-mirrors are fully shown in FIG. 1, the typical DMD device contains thousands—often on the order of one million of such devices fabricated onto a square or rectangular-shaped die (see FIG. 3) that itself typically measures only between one and two centimeters on a side.
The cumulative effect of reflecting light off of these selectively controlled micro-mirrors is to create an image. This image, naturally quite small, is then passed through a projection lens to convert it to an appropriate size for viewing. FIG. 2 is simplified block diagram illustrating an exemplary optical display system 200 that may be assembled using DMD 100 of FIG. 1. Light from a light source 211, which may be an arc lamp or an LED, is collimated and directed along a first portion 221 of the optical path 210. A color wheel 213 is used to produce selectively-colored light for producing colored images. The condenser lenses 212 and 214 shape the beam of light as it propagates along the first portion 221 of optical path 210. The selectively-colored light eventually falls on the DMD 100, where it is transformed into a visual image. The visual image created by DMD 100 is directed to a second portion 222 of the optical path 210, which includes a display screen 219, which may, for example, be an HDTV screen, presents the visual image display intended to be seen by the viewer. The projection lens 218 enlarges the image created by DMD 100 so it will fit the display screen 219.
In order to manufacture DMD 100 and similar MEMS devices, a modified form of the standard semiconductor fabrication process may be used. FIG. 3 is an aerial view of a semiconductor wafer 300 used in such a process. This wafer is typically a very thin slice from an ingot of silicon or some other suitable material. The surface 301 of semiconductor wafer 300 is then populated, through a number of fabrication process steps, with many electrical, and the case of a MEMS device, electromechanical components. These components are formed by a series of steps that use such methods as ion implantation, the deposition of layers of new materials, and patterned etching of the various created surfaces. Many of these processes are automated or semi-automated for both efficiency and precision.
The tiny components formed on the semiconductor wafer, such as micro-mirrors, memory cells, and transistors, combine to form a chip, which is an independently functioning device for use in applications such as DLP®. Because these chips are so small, a large number of them may be formed on a single wafer such as wafer 300. In FIG. 3, wafer 300 is shown to be populated with thirty-six chips, although in practice there tends to be a greater number of them. Each chip is situated on a portion of wafer 300 that is sometimes called a die. When all or most of the fabrication steps have been completed, the dice are separated in a process known as singulation. Each of the separated devices, or at least those that have passed inspection, may then be used in an application such as the projection display system 200 of FIG. 2.
Needless to say, singulation is an important part of the fabrication process. The dice must be separated from each other in such a manner so as not to damage chip components. Singulation is frequently performed in a multi-step sawing and breaking process (described in greater detail below) that is designed to ensure device integrity to the greatest extent possible.
MEMS device chips such as those used for DMDs pose a somewhat unique challenge in the singulation portion of the fabrication process. When they are used for optical applications such as projection display system, for example, one surface of the chip must be able to receive and to reflect light for the chip to perform its function. Because the reflecting surface is actually made up of thousands of tiny micro-mirrors that are continually being reoriented, the reflecting surface is provided with physical protection in the form of a cover made of a glass or some similar material. The glass cover typically includes a cover wafer, that is, a relatively flat plate that is separated slightly from the chip reflecting surface in order to allow the micro-mirrors to operate. This separation is often achieved using an interposer layer (or wafer). The interposer layer typically forms a grid so that the reflecting surface for each chip is left exposed and the light path to it is unobstructed. Along with the wafer itself, the cover wafer and the adjacent members of the interposer grid form a sealed recess above the reflecting surface.
This wafer assembly configuration is illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is an elevation (side) cross-sectional view of an exemplary MEMS wafer assembly 400. The view is taken from the perspective of section line 4-4 shown in FIG. 3 (note that FIG. 3 itself shows only the wafer 300). In the view of FIG. 4, six substantially identical active areas are visible, and exemplary one of which is numbered 435. Each active area includes the many micro-mirrors such as those illustrated in FIG. 1. At the top of exemplary active area 435 is formed a reflecting surface 430 (also enumerated in FIG. 3). As can be seen in FIG. 4, wafer 300 is overlaid with an interposer grid layer 410, which is secured in place using an adhesive material (not shown). Note that only the latitudinal grid members, for example members 412 and 414, are shown in FIG. 4; the longitudinal grid members are for clarity omitted. Note also that the terms 'latitudinal' and 'longitudinal' (and correspondingly the 'rows' and 'columns' of dice shown in FIG. 3) are used herein for convenience but are arbitrarily chosen and distinguishable only relative to one another unless otherwise noted or apparent from the context.
A glass cover wafer 420 is mounted to interposer layer 410, typically likewise using an adhesive (not shown). Together glass cover wafer 420 and interposer layer 410 may be said to form a cover or cover assembly 415. The cover assembly may be formed of two or more components, as shown in FIG. 4, or may be formed as a unit. In any case, care must be taken when singulation is performed so as not to damage the cover assembly 415 so that the recess 425, the space created above active area 435 (as well as the other, similar recesses), remains sealed against intrusion by water vapor or other deleterious materials. Of course, undue damage to the wafer 300 must be avoided as well.
Current wafer singulation methods approach this challenge by using a partial-saw and break method. A saw cut creates a fault-line so that the dice may be separated using an impact tool. For MEMS dice this can be a somewhat complicated and cumbersome procedure. If a method could be devised to singulate MEMS dice using a relatively-simple procedure that nevertheless achieves a higher product yield and reliability, production costs could be reduced. The method of the present invention provides just such a solution.


Compounds that are modified polysaccharides having pendant aldehyde functionalities are disclosed. Each of the aldehyde functionalities is attached through a linker to a position corresponding to a hydrogen atom of a different hydroxyl group of unmodified polysaccharide. Also disclosed is a method for introducing an amine-reactive functionality into a dextran. The method comprises (a) reacting the dextran with an alkylating agent having a functionality that reacts with an hydroxyl group of the dextran thereby forming an alkylated dextran wherein the alkylating agent has an olefin group and (b) treating the alkylated dextran to convert the olefin group to an amine-reactive functionality. A polysaccharide can be conjugated to a biomolecule by carrying out the above method and reacting the amine-reactive functionality with an amine functionality on the biomolecule to produce polysaccharide conjugated to the biomolecule.

1. Field of the Invention
In the fields of medicine and clinical chemistry, many studies and determinations of physiologically reactive species such as cells, proteins, enzymes, cofactors, nucleic acids, substrates, antigens, antibodies, and so forth are carried out using conjugates involving specific binding pair members or labels or the like. Various assay techniques that involve the binding of specific binding pair members are known. These assay techniques generally also involve a label used in the detection part of the assay.
Polysaccharides, particularly dextran, have been conjugated to specific binding pair members to increase the stability of the specific binding pair member. Conjugation of these members to polysaccharides also increases the bulkiness of these molecules, which can enhance their effectiveness in assays involving specific binding pair members by interfering with binding to complementary specific binding pair members. Additionally, these conjugates, when present on a surface, permit specific binding of a complementary specific binding pair member to the surface with greatly reduced non-specific binding.
Aminodextran or carboxymethyldextran have usually been utilized for forming conjugates to specific binding pair members. Coupling the dextran to a protein, for example, can then be carried out through formation of an amide. However, aminodextrans and carboxymethyldextrans have a charge that often must be neutralized to control non-specific binding. Such neutralization is difficult to do without derivitizing the conjugate biomolecule at the same time.
An alternative method of conjugation is to first partially oxidize the polysaccharide with periodate to introduce aldehyde groups. Coupling to amine containing ligands and receptors can then be carried out by reductive amination. Although dextrans that are partially oxidized are not charged, the oxidation is difficult to precisely control, and the products have substantially reduced stability toward hydrolysis. A procedure for introducing aldehyde groups onto polysaccharides that does not compromise stability, is more readily carried out, and that permits ready conjugation, is therefore needed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Lauritzen, et al., discuss dot immunobinding and immunoblotting or picogram and nanogram quantities of small peptides on activated nitrocellulose in Journal of Immunological Methods (1990) 131:257-267.
Effective immunoadsorbents based on agarose-polyaldehyde microsphere beads: synthesis and affinity chromatography are disclosed by Margel, et al., Analytical Biochemistry (1983) 128:342-350.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,264,766 (Fischer) discloses immunological diagnostic reagents.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,504 (Burdick, et al.) discusses fluorescent labels having a polysaccharide bound to polymeric particles.
Polysaccharide-modified immunoglobulins having reduced immunogenic potential or improved pharmacokinetics is discussed in European Patent No. 0 315 456 B1.
Wang, et al., describe a facile synthesis of an aldehydic analog of platelet activating factor and its use in the production of specific antibodies in Chemistry and Physics of Lipids (1990) 55:265-273.
In one aspect, the present invention pertains to polymers comprising a sequence of repeating monosaccharide units, each of which is independently selected from monosaccharide units of the formula:
wherein one of the A""s is a bond to the C1 glycosidic carbon of another of the units and the other A""s are independently selected from the group consisting of H and QL, wherein L is a linking group linking O and Q and Q is C(Z)xe2x95x90D wherein D is O or CR1R2 wherein R1 and R2 are independently H, alkyl or aryl and Z is H or C(Y)xe2x95x90O wherein Y is R3, OR3 or NR3R4 wherein R3and R4are independently H, alkyl or aryl and wherein any of L, R1, R2, R3 and R4 may be taken together to form a ring with the proviso that at least two of the A""s in the polymer are QL. Also included are compounds produced by reaction of the above polymer with a biomolecule such as a polypeptide.
Another aspect of the present invention is a compound comprising the structure:
wherein n is 50 to 50,000, A1 is independently selected from the group consisting of H and Q1L1, wherein L1 is a linking group linking O and Q and Q1 is C(Z)xe2x95x90D wherein D is O or CR1R2 wherein R1 and R2 are independently H, alkyl or aryl and Z is H or C(Y)xe2x95x90O wherein Y is R3, OR3 or NR3R4 wherein R3 and R4 are independently H, alkyl or aryl and wherein any of L, R1, R2, R3 and R4 may be taken together to form a ring with the proviso that at least two of the A""s in the compound are Q1L1.
Also included are compounds produced by reaction of the above compound with a polypeptide.
Another aspect of the present invention is a compound that is a modified polysaccharide having pendant aldehyde functionalities wherein each of the aldehyde functionalities is attached through a linker to a position corresponding to a hydrogen atom of a different hydroxyl group of unmodified polysaccharide.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for introducing an amine-reactive functionality into a dextran. The method comprises reacting the dextran with an alkylating agent having a functionality that reacts with an hydroxyl group of the dextran thereby forming an alkylated dextran wherein the alkylating agent has an olefin group and treating the alkylated dextran to convert the olefin group to an amine-reactive functionality.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for conjugating a polysaccharide to a biomolecule such as a polypeptide. The polysaccharide is reacted with an alkylating agent having a functionality that reacts with a hydroxy group of the polysaccharide thereby forming an alkylated polysaccharide wherein the alkylating agent has an olefin group. The alkylated polysaccharide is treated to convert the olefin group to an amine-reactive functionality, which is reacted with an amine functionality on the biomolecule to produce polysaccharide conjugated to the biomolecule.
The present invention provides a simple, inexpensive method for conjugation of a macromolecule to a polysaccharide for use in an immunoassay. Amine reactive functionalities such as an aldehyde are introduced into the polysaccharide for linking to a macromolecule. One advantage of the present invention is that, unlike prior methods, the number of amine reactive functionalities introduced into the polysaccharide can be controlled.
Before proceeding further with the description of the specific embodiments of the present invention, a number of terms will be defined.
Monosaccharidexe2x80x94a carbohydrate that cannot be hydrolyzed into simpler compounds such as an aldehyde alcohol or a ketone alcohol, e.g., a hexose or a pentose.
Polysaccharidexe2x80x94a carbohydrate containing three or more monosaccharide units; the polysaccharide can be hydrolyzed into the simpler monosaccharide units. Examples of polysaccharides by way of illustration and not limitation are dextran, starch, glycogen, polyribose and the like.
Dextranxe2x80x94a polysaccharide consisting of linear 1-6 linked (98%) glucose units; a polymerized glucose.
Alkylxe2x80x94a monovalent branched or unbranched radical derived from an aliphatic hydrocarbon by removal of one H atom; includes both lower alkyl and upper alkyl.
Lower alkylxe2x80x94alkyl containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, pentyl, isopentyl, etc.
Upper alkylxe2x80x94alkyl containing more than 6 carbon atoms, usually 6 to 20 carbon atoms, such as, e.g., hexyl, heptyl, octyl, etc.
Alkylidenexe2x80x94a divalent organic radical derived from an aliphatic hydrocarbon, such as, for example, ethylidene, in which 2 hydrogen atoms are taken from the same carbon atom.
Arylxe2x80x94an organic radical derived from an aromatic hydrocarbon by the removal of one atom and containing one or more aromatic rings, usually one to four aromatic rings, such as, e.g., phenyl (from benzene), naphthyl (from naphthalene), etc., e.g., phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthryl.
Aralkylxe2x80x94an organic radical having an alkyl group to which is attached an aryl group, e.g., benzyl, phenethyl, 3-phenylpropyl, 1-naphthylethyl, etc.
Alkoxyxe2x80x94an alkyl radical attached to the remainder of a molecule by an oxygen atom, e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, etc.
Aryloxyxe2x80x94an aryl radical attached to the remainder of a molecule by an oxygen atom, e.g., phenoxy, naphthoxy, etc., e.g., m-methoxyphenyl.
Aralkoxyxe2x80x94an aralkyl radical attached to the remainder of a molecule by an oxygen atom, e.g., benzoxy, 1-naphthylethoxy, etc.
Amine reactive functionalityxe2x80x94a functionality reactive with an amine functionality, usually by virtue of nucleophilicity or basicity of the amine, such as, for example, an aldehyde, an xcex1-keto carboxylic acid and the like.
Alkylating agent having a functionality that reacts with an hydroxyl groupxe2x80x94a compound that has a functionality reactive with an hydroxyl group, usually by virtue of nucleophilicity of the neutral or ionized hydroxyl group, such as, for example, an oxiranyl radical, an alkyl radical comprising a leaving group such as, for example, halide (bromide, chloride, iodide); aryl sulfonates; alkyl sulfonates; aryl sulfates; alkyl sulfates; tosylates; acrylic acid derivatives such as acrylamide; vinyl sulfones; and the like.
Biomoleculexe2x80x94a polypeptide such as, for example, avidin, streptavidin, protein A, protein G, antibodies, and so forth.
Conjugatexe2x80x94a molecule comprised of two or more substructures bound together, generally through a linking group, to form a single structure.
Linking groupxe2x80x94a portion of a structure which connects two or more substructures. The linking group may vary from a bond to a chain of from 1 to 30 or more atoms, usually from about 1 to 20 atoms, preferably 1 to 10 atoms, each independently selected from the group normally consisting of carbon, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, and phosphorous, usually carbon and oxygen. The number of heteroatoms in the linking group normally ranges from about 0 to 8, usually from about 1 to 6, more preferably 2 to 4. The number of atoms in the chain is determined by counting the number of atoms other than hydrogen or other monovalent atoms along the shortest route between the substructures being connected. The atoms of the linking group may be substituted with atoms other than hydrogen such as carbon, oxygen and so forth in the form, e.g., of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aralkoxy, and the like. As a general rule, the length of a particular linking group can be selected arbitrarily to provide for convenience of synthesis with the proviso that there be minimal interference caused by the linking group with the ability of the present polymers to be attached to a biomolecule.
The linking group may be aliphatic or aromatic. When heteroatoms are present, oxygen will normally be present as oxy or oxo, bonded to carbon, sulfur, nitrogen or phosphorous; sulfur will be present as thioether or thiono; nitrogen will normally be present as nitro, nitroso or amino, normally bonded to carbon, oxygen, sulfur or phosphorous; phosphorous will be bonded to carbon, sulfur, oxygen or nitrogen, usually as phosphonate and phosphate mono- or diester. Functionalities present in the linking group may include esters, thioesters, amides, thioamides, ethers, ureas, thioureas, guanidines, azo groups, thioethers, carboxylate and so forth.
Examples, by way of illustration and not limitation, of various linking groups that find use in the present invention are found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,817,837, particularly at column 30, line 69, to column 36, line 10, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Preferred linking groups include alkylene, i.e., (CH2)p wherein p is an integer in the range of 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 5, wherein one or more hydrogens, usually one hydrogen, on one or more of the carbons, usually one, of the alkylenes may be substituted with OR9 wherein R9 is H, alkyl or aryl, e.g., methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentylene, hexylene, phenylene, p-benzylene and so forth; alkyleneoxyalkylene, i.e., (CH2)qX(CH2)r wherein q and r are the same or different and are integers in the range of 1 to 5, preferably 1 to 3, and wherein one or more hydrogens, usually one hydrogen, on one or both, usually one, of the alkylenes may be substituted with OR9 wherein R9 is H, alkyl or aryl, preferably H, e.g., methyleneoxymethylene, methyleneoxyethylene, ethyleneoxyethylene, 1-methyleneoxy-2-hydroxyethylene and so forth and X is independently O or S, preferably O.
Member of a specific binding pair (xe2x80x9csbp memberxe2x80x9d)xe2x80x94one of two different molecules, having an area on the surface or in a cavity which specifically binds to and is thereby defined as complementary with a particular spatial and polar organization of the other molecule. The members of the specific binding pair are referred to as ligand and receptor (antiligand). These will usually be members of an immunological pair such as antigen-antibody, although other specific binding pairs such as biotin-avidin, hormones-hormone receptors, nucleic acid duplexes, IgG-protein A, polynucleotide pairs such as DNA-DNA, DNA-RNA, and the like are not immunological pairs but are included in the definition of sbp member for the purpose of describing this invention.
Analytexe2x80x94the compound or composition to be detected. The analyte can be comprised of a member of a specific binding pair (sbp) and may be a ligand, which is usually monovalent (monoepitopic), usually haptenic, and is a single compound or plurality of compounds which share at least one common epitopic or determinant site.
The monoepitopic ligand analytes will generally be from about 100 to 2,000 molecular weight, more usually from 125 to 1,000 molecular weight. The analytes include drugs, metabolites, pesticides, pollutants, and the like. Representative analytes, by way of example and not limitation, include (i) alkaloids such as morphine alkaloids, which include morphine, codeine, heroin, dextromethorphan, their derivatives and metabolites; cocaine alkaloids, which include cocaine and benzyl ecgonine, their derivatives and metabolites; ergot alkaloids, which include the diethylamide of lysergic acid; steroid alkaloids; iminazoyl alkaloids; quinazoline alkaloids; isoquinoline alkaloids; quinoline alkaloids, which include quinine and quinidine; diterpene alkaloids, their derivatives and metabolites; (ii) steroids, which include the estrogens, androgens, andreocortical steroids, bile acids, cardiotonic glycosides and aglycones, which includes digoxin and digoxigenin, saponins and sapogenins, their derivatives and metabolites; steroid mimetic substances, such as diethylstilbestrol; (iii) lactams having from 5 to 6 annular members, which include the barbiturates, e.g., Phenobarbital and secobarbital, diphenylhydantoin, primidone, ethosuximide, and their metabolites; (iv) aminoalkylbenzenes, with alkyl of from 2 to 3 carbon atoms, which include the amphetamines; catecholamines, which include ephedrine, L-dopa, epinephrine; narceine; papaverine; and metabolites of the above; (v) benzheterocyclics which include oxazepam, chlorpromazine, tegretol, their derivatives and metabolites, the heterocyclic rings being azepines, diazepines and phenothiazines; (vi) purines, which includes theophylline, caffeine, their metabolites and derivatives; (vii) drugs derived from marijuana, which include cannabinol and tetrahydrocannabinol; (viii) hormones such as thyroxine, cortisol, triiodothyronine, testosterone, estradiol, estrone, progesterone, polypeptides such as angiotensin, LHRH, and immunosuppressants such as cyclosporin, FK506, mycophenolic acid (MPA), and so forth; (ix) vitamins such as A, B, e.g. B12, C, D, E and K, folic acid, thiamine; (x) prostaglandins, which differ by the degree and sites of hydroxylation and unsaturation; (xi) tricyclic antidepressants, which include imipramine, dismethylimipramine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, protriptyline, trimipramine, chlomipramine, doxepine, and desmethyldoxepin; (xii) anti-neoplastics, which include methotrexate; (xiii) antibiotics, which include penicillin, chloromycetin, actinomycetin, tetracycline, terramycin, the metabolites and derivatives; (xiv) nucleosides and nucleotides, which include ATP, NAD, FMN, adenosine, guanosine, thymidine, and cytidine with their appropriate sugar and phosphate substituentes; (xv) miscellaneous individual drugs which include methadone, meprobamate, serotonin, meperidine, lidocaine, procainamide, acetylprocainamide, propranolol, griseofulvin, valproic acid, butyrophenones, antihistamines, chloramphenicol, anticholinergic drugs, such as atropine, their metabolites and derivatives; (xvi) metabolites related to diseased states include spermine, galactose, phenylpyruvic acid, and porphyrin Type 1; (xvii) aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin, kanamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin; and (xviii) pesticides such as polyhalogenated biphenyls, phosphate esters, thiophosphates, carbamates, polyhalogenated sulfenamides, their metabolites and derivatives.
Polyvalent analytes are normally poly(amino acids), i.e., polypeptides and proteins, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, and combinations thereof. Such combinations include components of bacteria, viruses, chromosomes, genes, mitochondria, nuclei, cell membranes and the like. For the most part, the polyepitopic ligand analytes will have a molecular weight of at least about 5,000, more usually at least about 10,000. In the poly(amino acid) category, the poly(amino acids) of interest will generally be from about 5,000 to 5,000,000 molecular weight, more usually from about 20,000 to 1,000,000 molecular weight; among the hormones of interest, the molecular weights will usually range from about 5,000 to 60,000 molecular weight.
A wide variety of proteins may be considered as to the family of proteins having similar structural features, proteins having particular biological functions, proteins related to specific microorganisms, particularly disease causing microorganisms, etc. Such proteins include, for example, immunoglobulins, cytokines, enzymes, hormones, cancer antigens, nutritional markers, tissue specific antigens, etc. Such proteins include, by way of illustration and not limitation, protamines, histones, albumins, globulins, scleroproteins, phosphoproteins, mucoproteins, chromoproteins, lipoproteins, nucleoproteins, glycoproteins, T-cell receptors, proteoglycans, HLA, unclassified proteins, e.g., somatotropin, prolactin, insulin, pepsin, proteins found in human plasma, blood clotting factors, protein hormones such as, e.g., follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, luteotropin, prolactin, chorionic gonadotropin, tissue hormones, cytokines, cancer antigens such as, e.g., PSA, CEA, a-fetoprotein, acid phosphatase, CA19.9 and CA125, tissue specific antigens, such as, e.g., alkaline phosphatase, myoglobin, CPK-MB and calcitonin, and peptide hormones. Other polymeric materials of interest are mucopolysaccharides and polysaccharides.
For receptor analytes, the molecular weights will generally range from 10,000 to 2xc3x97108, more usually from 10,000 to 106. For immunoglobulins, IgA, IgG, IgE and IgM, the molecular weights will generally vary from about 160,000 to about 106. Enzymes will normally range from about 10,000 to 1,000,000 in molecular weight. Natural receptors vary widely, generally being at least about 25,000 molecular weight and may be 106 or higher molecular weight, including such materials as avidin, DNA, RNA, thyroxine binding globulin, thyroxine binding prealbumin, transcortin, etc.
The term analyte further includes oligonucleotide and polynucleotide analytes such as m-RNA, r-RNA, t-RNA, DNA, DNA-RNA duplexes, etc.
The analyte may be a molecule found directly in a sample such as biological tissue, including body fluids, from a host. The sample can be examined directly or may be pretreated to render the analyte more readily detectable by removing unwanted materials. The sample may be pretreated to separate or lyse cells; precipitate, hydrolyse or denature proteins; hydrolyze lipids; solubilize the analyte; or the like. Such pretreatment may include, without limitation: centrifugation; treatment of the sample with an organic solvent, for example, an alcohol, such as methanol; and treatment with detergents. The sample can be prepared in any convenient medium which does not interfere with an assay. An aqueous medium is preferred.
The analyte of interest may be determined by detecting an agent probative of the analyte of interest such as a specific binding pair member complementary to the analyte of interest, whose presence will be detected only when the analyte of interest is present in a sample. Thus, the agent probative of the analyte becomes the analyte that is detected in an assay.
The biological tissue includes excised tissue from an organ or other body part of a host and body fluids, for example, urine, whole blood, plasma, serum, saliva, semen, stool, sputum, cerebral spinal fluid, tears, mucus, and the like. Preferably, the sample is plasma or serum.
Polynucleotidexe2x80x94a compound or composition which is a polymeric nucleotide having in the natural state about 50 to 500,000 or more nucleotides and having in the isolated state about 15 to 50,000 or more nucleotides, usually about 15 to 20,000 nucleotides, more frequently 15 to 10,000 nucleotides. Polynucleotide includes nucleic acids from any source in purified or unpurified form, naturally occurring or synthetically produced, including DNA (dsDNA and ssDNA) and RNA, usually DNA, and may be t-RNA, m-RNA, r-RNA, mitochondrial DNA and RNA, chloroplast DNA and RNA, DNA-RNA hybrids, or mixtures thereof, genes, chromosomes, plasmids, the genomes of biological material such as microorganisms, e.g., bacteria, yeasts, viruses, viroids, molds, fungi, plants, animals, humans, and fragments thereof, and the like.
Ligandxe2x80x94any organic compound for which a receptor naturally exists or can be prepared.
Haptenxe2x80x94a compound capable of binding specifically to corresponding antibodies, but does not itself act as an immunogen (or antigen) for preparation of the antibodies. Antibodies which recognize a hapten can be prepared against compounds comprised of the hapten linked to an immunogenic (or antigenic) carrier. Haptens are a subset of ligands.
Ligand analogxe2x80x94a modified ligand, an organic radical or analyte analog, usually of a molecular weight greater than 100, which can compete with the analogous ligand for a receptor, the modification providing means to join a ligand analog to another molecule. The ligand analog will usually differ from the ligand by more than replacement of a hydrogen with a bond which links the ligand analog to a hub or label, but need not. The ligand analog can bind to the receptor in a manner similar to the ligand. The analog could be, for example, an antibody directed against the idiotype of an antibody to the ligand.
Receptor (xe2x80x9cantiligandxe2x80x9d)xe2x80x94any compound or composition capable of recognizing a particular spatial and polar organization of a molecule, e.g., epitopic or determinant site. Illustrative receptors include naturally occurring receptors, e.g., thyroxine binding globulin, antibodies, enzymes, Fab fragments, lectins, nucleic acids, protein A, complement component C1q, and the like.
Specific bindingxe2x80x94the specific recognition of one of two different molecules for the other compared to substantially less recognition of other molecules. Generally, the molecules have areas on their surfaces or in cavities, also referred to as xe2x80x9cbinding sites,xe2x80x9d giving rise to specific recognition between the two molecules. Exemplary of specific binding are antibody-antigen interactions, enzyme-substrate interactions, polynucleotide interactions, and so forth.
Non-specific bindingxe2x80x94non-covalent binding between molecules that is relatively independent of specific surface structures. Non-specific binding may result from several factors including hydrophobic interactions between molecules.
Antibodyxe2x80x94an immunoglobulin which specifically binds to and is thereby defined as complementary with a particular spatial and polar organization of another molecule. The antibody can be monoclonal or polyclonal and can be prepared by techniques that are well known in the art such as immunization of a host and collection of sera (polyclonal) or by preparing continuous hybrid cell lines and collecting the secreted protein (monoclonal), or by cloning and expressing nucleotide sequences or mutagenized versions thereof coding at least for the amino acid sequences required for specific binding of natural antibodies. Antibodies may include a complete immunoglobulin or fragment thereof, which immunoglobulins include the various classes and isotypes, such as IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3, IgM, etc. Fragments thereof may include Fab, Fv and F(abxe2x80x2)2, Fabxe2x80x2, and the like. In addition, aggregates, polymers, and conjugates of immunoglobulins or their fragments can be used where appropriate so long as binding affinity for a particular molecule is maintained.
Substitutedxe2x80x94means that a hydrogen atom of a molecule has been replaced by another atom, which may be a single atom such as a halogen, etc., or part of a group of atoms forming a functionality as described above. Such substituent may be a group or functionality imparting hydrophilicity or lipophilicity. Hydrophilicity may be achieved by a functional group having one or more atoms such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and so forth; such groups include sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, amidine, phosphonate, carboxylate, hydroxyl particularly polyols, amine, ether, amide, and the like. Illustrative functional groups are carboxyalkyl, sulfonoxyalkyl, CONHOCH2COOH, CO-(glucosamine), sugars, dextran, cyclodextrin, SO2NHCH2COOH, SO3H, CONHCH2CH2SO3H, PO3H2, OPO3H2, hydroxyl, carboxyl, ketone, and combinations thereof. Lipophilicity may be achieved by a functional group such as carbon atoms substituted with hydrogen or halogen and can include alkyl, alkylidene, aryl and aralkyl. The lipophilic group or functionality will normally have one to six straight or branched chain aliphatic groups of at least 6 carbon atoms, more usually at least 10 carbon atoms, and preferably at least 12 carbon atoms, usually not more than 30 carbon atoms.
Support or surfacexe2x80x94a solid phase, typically a support or surface, which is a porous or non-porous water insoluble material that can have any one of a number of shapes, such as strip, rod, plate, well, particle or bead. A wide variety of suitable supports are disclosed in Ullman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,243, columns 10-11, Kurn, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,104, column 6, lines 21-42, and Milburn, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,303, column 6, lines 14-31, which are incorporated herein by reference.
The surface can be hydrophilic or capable of being rendered hydrophilic and includes inorganic powders such as silica, magnesium sulfate, and alumina; natural polymeric materials, particularly cellulosic materials and materials derived from cellulose, such as fiber containing papers, e.g., filter paper, chromatographic paper, etc.; synthetic or modified naturally occurring polymers, such as nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, poly (vinyl chloride), polyacrylamide, cross linked dextran, agarose, polyacrylate, polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(4-methylbutene), polystyrene, polymethacrylate, poly(ethylene terephthalate), nylon, poly(vinyl butyrate), etc.; either used by themselves or in conjunction with other materials; glass available as Bioglass, ceramics, metals, and the like. Natural or synthetic assemblies such as liposomes, phospholipid vesicles, and cells can also be employed.
Binding of sbp members to a support or surface, other than by use of the compounds of the present invention, may be accomplished by well-known techniques, commonly available in the literature. See, for example, xe2x80x9cImmobilized Enzymes,xe2x80x9d Ichiro Chibata, Halsted Press, New York (1978) and Cuatrecasas, J. Biol. Chem., 245:3059 (1970).
Signal producing system (xe2x80x9cspsxe2x80x9d)xe2x80x94one or more components, at least one component being a detectable label, which generate a detectable signal that relates to the amount of bound and/or unbound label, i.e. the amount of label bound or not bound to the compound being detected. The label is any molecule that produces or can be induced to produce a signal, and may be, for example, a fluorescer, radio-label, enzyme, chemiluminescer or photosensitizer. Thus, the signal is detected and/or measured by detecting enzyme activity, luminescence, light absorbance or radioactivity as the case may be.
Suitable labels include, by way of illustration and not limitation, enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (xe2x80x9cG6PDHxe2x80x9d) and horseradish peroxidase; ribozyme; a substrate for a replicase such as QB replicase; promoters; dyes; fluorescers, such as fluorescein, isothiocyanate, rhodamine compounds, phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, o-phthaldehyde, and fluorescamine; chemiluminescers such as isoluminol; sensitizers; coenzymes; enzyme substrates; radiolabels such as 125I, 131I, 14C, 3H, 57Co and 75Se; particles such as latex or carbon particles; metal sol; crystallite; liposomes; cells, etc., which may be further labeled with a dye, catalyst or other detectable group. Suitable enzymes and coenzymes are disclosed in Litman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,149, columns 19-28, and Boguslaski, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,980, columns 10-14; suitable fluorescers and chemiluminescers are disclosed in Litman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,149, at columns 30 and 31; which are incorporated herein by reference.
There are numerous methods by which the label can produce a signal detectable by external means, desirably by visual examination, for example, by electromagnetic radiation, heat, and chemical reagents. The label or other sps members can also be bound to an sbp member, another molecule or to a support.
Labels include groups detectable by means of electromagnetic radiation or by electrochemical detection including dyes, fluorescers, chemiluminescers, and radioactive isotopes.
The label can directly produce a signal and, therefore, additional components are not required to produce a signal. Numerous organic molecules, for example fluorescers, are able to absorb ultraviolet and visible light, where the light absorption transfers energy to these molecules and elevates them to an excited energy state. This absorbed energy is then dissipated by emission of light at a second wavelength. Other labels that directly produce a signal include radioactive isotopes and dyes.
Alternately, the label may need other components to produce a signal, and the signal producing system would then include all the components required to produce a measurable signal, which may include substrates, coenzymes, enhancers, additional enzymes, substances that react with enzymic products, catalysts, activators, cofactors, inhibitors, scavengers, metal ions, and a specific binding substance required for binding of signal generating substances. A detailed discussion of suitable signal producing systems can be found in Ullman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,243, columns 11-13, incorporated herein by reference.
The label and/or other sps member may be bound to an sbp member or to a support utilizing the compounds and compositions of the present invention. Alternatively, the label can be bound covalently to an sbp member such as, for example, an antibody; a receptor for an antibody, a receptor that is capable of binding to a small molecule conjugated to an antibody, or a ligand analog. Bonding of the label to the sbp member may be accomplished by chemical reactions that result in replacing a hydrogen atom of the label with a bond to the sbp member or may include a linking group between the label and the sbp member. Other sps members may also be bound covalently to sbp members. For example, two sps members such as a fluorescer and quencher can each be bound to a different antibody that forms a specific complex with the analyte. Formation of the complex brings the fluorescer and quencher in close proximity, thus permitting the quencher to interact with the fluorescer to produce a signal. Methods of conjugation are well known in the art. See, for example, Rubenstein, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,817,837, incorporated herein by reference.
Assayxe2x80x94method for the determination of the presence or amount of an analyte.
Measuring the amount of an analytexe2x80x94quantitative, semiquantitative, and qualitative methods as well as all other methods for determining an analyte are considered to be methods of measuring the amount of an analyte. For example, a method which merely detects the presence or absence of an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte is considered to be included within the scope of the present invention. The terms xe2x80x9cdetectingxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cdetermining,xe2x80x9d as well as other common synonyms for measuring, are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
Ancillary Materialsxe2x80x94Various ancillary materials will frequently be employed in the assay in accordance with the present invention. For example, buffers will normally be present in the assay medium, as well as stabilizers for the assay medium and the assay components. Frequently, in addition to these additives, proteins may be included, such as albumins; organic solvents such as formamide; quaternary ammonium salts; polyanions such as dextran sulfate; surfactants, particularly non-ionic surfactants; binding enhancers, e.g., polyalkylene glycols; or the like.
Wholly or partially sequentiallyxe2x80x94when various agents are combined other than concomitantly (simultaneously), one or more may be combined with one or more of the remaining agents to form a subcombination.
In one aspect the present invention pertains to polymers comprising a sequence of repeating monosaccharide units, each of which is independently selected from monosaccharide units of the formula:
wherein one of the A""s is a bond to the C1 glycosidic carbon (as indicated in the above formula) of another of the units and the other A""s are independently selected from the group consisting of H and QL, wherein L is a linking group linking O and Q and Q is C(Z)xe2x95x90D wherein D is O or CR1R2 wherein R1 and R2 are independently H, alkyl or aryl and Z is H or C(Y)xe2x95x90O wherein Y is R3, OR3 or NR3R4 wherein R3 and R4 are independently H, alkyl or aryl and wherein any of L, R1, R2, R3 and R4 may be taken together to form a ring with the proviso that at least two of the A""s in the polymer are QL. Usually, a ring, when present, is a three to eight member ring, preferably, a five to seven member ring, that can have one or more unsaturations. The ring may be aryl or aralkyl. One or more atoms of the ring may be substituted with a substituent other than hydrogen to form one or more functionalities. The atoms of the ring other than hydrogen are usually carbon but may also include oxygen, sulfur, boron, silicon and/or nitrogen. Exemplary of such rings are benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, pyridine, pyrimidine furan, indene, indane, pyrrole, thiophene, imidazole, and the like.
The above polymer generally has from about 3 to 50,000, preferably 25 to 10,000, more preferably 50 to 1,000 repeating monosaccharide units. Preferably, there are at least two A""s in QL in at least one of the monosaccharide units for every 20, more preferably, every 10, monosaccharide units of the polymer.
The following are examples, by way of illustration and not limitation, of polymers in accordance with the present invention.
L is alkylene, e.g., methylene (xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94), ethylene (xe2x80x94CH2CH2xe2x80x94), etc.; or alkyleneoxyhydroxyalkylene, e.g., 1-methyleneoxy-2-hydroxyethylene (xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94C(OH)Hxe2x80x94), etc.
Q is (i) xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90O, (ii) xe2x80x94C(O)xe2x80x94C(O)xe2x80x94R3, (iii) xe2x80x94C(O)xe2x80x94C(O)xe2x80x94OR3, (iv) xe2x80x94C(O)xe2x80x94C(O)xe2x80x94NR3 R4, (v) xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CR1R2, (vi) (R1R2)Cxe2x95x90Cxe2x80x94C(O)xe2x80x94R3, (vii) (R1R2)Cxe2x95x90Cxe2x80x94C(O)xe2x80x94OR3, and (viii) (R1R2)Cxe2x95x90Cxe2x80x94C(O)xe2x80x94NR3R4.
R3 and R4 are lower alkyl, preferably methyl.
Particularly preferred polymers in accordance with the present invention are those wherein the polymer is a modified dextran in which the A on the methyleneoxy oxygen of one of the units of the polymer is a bond to the C1 glycosidic carbon of another of the units of the polymer and QL is HC(O)CH2xe2x80x94 or HC(O)CH2OCH2C(OH)HCH2xe2x80x94.
The polymers of the invention can be prepared in a number of ways. The following discussion of one example of a preparation of the above polymers is by way of illustration and not limitation. The method described below is readily carried out and does not compromise the stability of the polysaccharide. The method comprises reacting the polysaccharide with an alkylating agent having a functionality that reacts with an hydroxyl group of the polysaccharide thereby forming an alkylated polysaccharide wherein the alkylating agent has an olefin group and then treating the alkylated polysaccharide to convert the olefin group to an amine-reactive functionality.
The alkylating agent may comprise the structure
L3(Z1)Cxe2x95x90CR5R6
wherein L3 is a group comprising a functionality reactive with a hydroxyl group of the polysaccharide, R5 and R6 are independently H, alkyl, aryl or may be taken together with each other or with L3 to form a ring and Z1 is H or C(W)xe2x95x90O wherein W is R7, OR7, or NR7R8 wherein R7 and R8 are independently H, alkyl or aryl. Usually, a ring, when present, is a three to eight member ring, preferably, a five to seven member ring, that can have one or more unsaturations. The ring may be aryl or aralkyl. One or more atoms of the ring may be substituted with a substituent other than hydrogen to form one or more functionalities. The atoms of the ring other than hydrogen are usually carbon but may also include oxygen, sulfur, boron, silicon and/or nitrogen. Exemplary of such rings are benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, pyridine, pyrimidine furan, indene, indane, pyrrole, thiophene, imidazole, and the like.
The polymer that is desired will determine the particular alkylating agent to be used. For example, to make the polymer described above wherein QL is HC(O)CH2xe2x80x94, one utilizes an alkylating agent wherein L3 is methylene having a leaving group such as bromide, Z1, R5 and R6 are H. To make the polymer described above wherein QL is HC(O)CH2OCH2C(OH)HCH2xe2x80x94, one utilizes an alkylating agent wherein L3 is CH2OCH2(C2H3O) wherein (C2H3O) is an oxiranyl radical. The latter alkylating agent is preferred when a water soluble polymer is desirable. Maintenance of the water solubility of the dextran can be achieved generally by incorporating a group that imparts hydrophilicity into the dextran during the introduction of the aldehyde group. Accordingly, a preferred alkylating agent is CH2xe2x95x90CHCH2OCH2(C2H3O), which results in the introduction of a QL that contains additional oxygen atoms, i.e., HC(O)CH2OCH2C(OH)HCH2xe2x80x94.
For example, dextran is treated with allyl glycidyl ether (CH2xe2x95x90CHCH2OCH2(C2H3O) in an acidic aqueous medium. An acid catalyzed opening of the epoxide ring is employed, which results in the addition of a hydroxyl group at one of the carbon atoms of the dextran to one of the two carbon atoms of the epoxide ring to give allyloxydextran. For this step the pH of the medium is about 1 to 4, preferably 1.5 to 2.5. Usually, it is desirable to conduct the reaction in the presence of a Lewis acid such as, for example, Zn(BF4)2, H2SO4, SnCl2, and the like. Accordingly, the pH for the reaction should not be so low or so high as to affect linkages in, or cause other deleterious effects on, the dextran molecule. Where a Lewis acid is employed, the pH should not be so high as to result in a deleterious effect on the Lewis acid such as causing precipitation of unwanted reaction materials. The amount of the Lewis acid employed is about 10-30% (weight/weight) of dextran. Control of the pH permits control of the number of aldehyde groups introduced into the dextran; thus pH control is important.
The time period for the reaction is usually about 6 to 18, preferably, about 10 to 15, hours. It is preferable to conduct the reaction in an atmosphere of inert gas, such as, for example, argon, neon, nitrogen and the like. The temperature of the reaction mixture is generally about 70 to 90xc2x0 C., usually about 75 to 85xc2x0 C., preferably, about 80xc2x0 C.
The order of addition for the reagents usually involves dissolving the dextran, Lewis acid and alkylating agent such as allyl glycidyl ether in water with heating at about 60 to 80xc2x0 C., preferably about 68 to 72xc2x0 C. After the desired period of time, the reaction mixture is cooled and the resulting allyloxy dextran product is purified, for example, by filtration, ultrafiltration or the like.
The above procedure introduces on the average about one allyloxy group per 5 to 20, usually, 7 to 12, preferably, 8 to 10, polysaccharide units of the dextran molecule. Usually, only one allyloxy group is introduced into a polysaccharide unit that is alkylated, generally, at the hydroxyl group at the 2, 3 or 4 position.
The allyloxy dextran is treated to introduce an aldehyde functionality. To this end the double bond is oxidized by suitable means to cleave the double bond and introduce a terminal aldehyde group. The oxidation can be carried out by any means that produces a terminal aldehyde group but does not affect other parts of the dextran molecule. One convenient way to oxidize the double bond of the allyloxy dextran is to subject the allyloxy dextran to ozonolysis followed by reductive workup such as with dimethyl sulfide. To this end ozone is generated in the reaction mixture at a temperature of about 15 to 30xc2x0 C., usually about 20 to 28xc2x0 C., preferably, about 24 to 27xc2x0 C. For this step the pH of the medium is about 5 to 8, preferably, 6 to 7. The amount of ozone used is generally that amount sufficient to oxidize all of the allyl groups to aldehydes. The time period for the reaction is usually about 5 to 10 hours, preferably, about 5 to 7 hours. It is preferable to conduct the reaction in atmosphere of inert gas. After the desired period of time, the reaction mixture is cooled and ozonide is reduced, for example, by the addition of a reducing agent such as, for example, a sulfide, thiosubstituted phosphine or the like. The resulting dextran aldehyde product is purified by precipitation with an organic solvent, dialysis or the like.
As an alternative to the above method for preparing the present polymers, the above alkylating agent can be replaced by CH(O)CH2OCH2(C2H3O). The resulting product from this alkylating agent is the desired dextran aldehyde. Accordingly, the desired dextran aldehyde can be obtained by direct alkylation although the aforementioned alkylating agent is preferred because the free aldehyde undergoes side reactions under the acidic conditions.
In an alternate embodiment the amine-reactive functionality introduced is an alpha-keto carboxylic acid functionality. Again, the polymer that is desired will determine the particular alkylating agent to be used. For example, to make the polymer described above wherein QL is HC(O)CH2OCH2C(OH)HCH2xe2x80x94, one can utilize an alkylating agent wherein L3 is CH2OCH2(C2H3O) wherein (C2H3O) is an oxiranyl radical and Z1 is C(O)OH. For example, dextran is treated with an alkylating agent of the formula CH2xe2x95x90C(COOH)CH2OCH2(C2H3O) in an acidic aqueous medium. As described above, an acid catalyzed opening of the epoxide ring is realized, which results in the addition of a hydroxyl group of the dextran to a carbon atom of the epoxide ring to give allyloxydextran. For this step the pH of the medium is about 1 to 4, preferably 1.5 to 2.5. Usually, it is desirable to conduct the reaction in the presence of a Lewis acid under conditions similar to those described above. After the desired period of time, the reaction mixture is cooled and the resulting product is purified by filtration, ultrafiltration or the like. The product is treated to introduce an aldehyde functionality. To this end the double bond is oxidized by suitable means to cleave the double bond and introduce an oxo functionality to yield an alpha keto acid product. The oxidation can be carried out by any means that produces an oxo functionality but does not affect other parts of the molecule. One convenient way to oxidize the double bond of this product to introduce an oxo functionality is to subject the product to ozonolysis as described above. The resulting alpha keto acid product is purified by filtration, ultrafiltration or the like.
As an alternative to the above method for preparing the present polymers, the above mentioned alkylating agent can be replaced by C(O)(COOH)CH2OCH2(C2H3O). The direct product from this alkylating agent is the alpha keto acid substituted dextran.
In another exemplary approach in accordance with the present invention, a dextran aldehyde polymer can be prepared wherein QL is HC(O)CH2xe2x80x94. In this approach an alkylating agent containing a leaving group, such as, for example, allyl bromide, is employed. The reaction comprises displacement of bromide of the alkylating agent by an oxygen atom of a polysaccharide unit of the dextran in the presence of a base such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or the like. Dextran is combined with allyl bromide in an aqueous medium in an inert atmosphere in the presence of a sufficient amount of a base to achieve the above mentioned displacement. For this step the pH of the medium is about 10 to 14, preferably 11 to 14. The pH for the reaction should not be so low or so high as to affect linkages in, or cause other deleterious effects on, the dextran molecule. Control of the pH permits control of the number of aldehyde groups introduced into the dextran; thus pH control is important.
The time period for the reaction is usually about 2 to 8 hours, preferably, about 3 to 5 hours. It is preferable to conduct the reaction in an atmosphere of inert gas.
The order of addition for the reagents is not critical. Preferably, the dextran is dissolved in water with heating at about 50 to 80xc2x0 C., preferably about 60 to 70xc2x0 C. Then, the pH of the medium is adjusted to the desired level. Next, the allyl bromide is added to the reaction mixture and the temperature is raised to the desired reaction temperature if necessary. After the desired period of time, the reaction mixture is cooled and the resulting allyloxy dextran product is purified by precipitation with an organic solvent, ultrafiltration or the like.
The above procedure introduces on the average about one allyl group per 3 to 20, usually 7 to 15, preferably, 8 to 12, polysaccharide units of the dextran molecule.
The allyl dextran is treated to introduce an aldehyde functionality as described above for the allyloxy dextran. The resulting dextran aldehyde product is purified by precipitation with an organic solvent, ultrafiltration or the like, as described previously.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of conjugating the present polymers to a biomolecule such as a polypeptide. A polysaccharide is reacted with an alkylating agent having a functionality that reacts with a hydroxy group of the polysaccharide thereby forming an alkylated polysaccharide as described above. The alkylated polysaccharide is treated to yield an amine-reactive functionality as described above. The polysaccharide having an amine-reactive functionality is reacted with an amine functionality on the biomolecule to produce polymer conjugated to the biomolecule. The reaction conditions for achieving this reaction are dependent somewhat on the nature of the amine-reactive functionality. For example, a polysaccharide having an aldehyde functionality is reacted with an amine of the biomolecule. Generally, this reaction is carried out under mildly acidic conditions in the presence of a reducing agent such as cyanoborohydride or the like. The pH of the reaction medium containing the reactants should be low enough to permit an appreciable number of the amine groups to be protonated but not so low as to result in an insufficient amount of the free amine compounds. The pH is usually about 4 to 6, preferably 5.0 to 5.5. The time period for the reaction is usually about 10 to 20 hours, preferably, about 14 to 18. The temperature of the reaction mixture is generally about 15 to 30xc2x0 C., usually, about 20 to 25xc2x0 C. It is often desirable to block any aldehyde functionalities that have not reacted with polypeptide. To this end the conjugate produced above is treated with a suitable blocking reagent that will form a stable product with the remaining free aldehyde groups. Such a blocking agent can be, for example, hydroxyl amine, semicarbazide, phenylhydrazine, hydrazine, sodium cyanide and the like, preferably, hydroxyl amine. The resulting product is purified by conventional means such as, for example, ultrafiltration, precipitation, dialysis and so forth.
The polysaccharide compounds of the present invention conjugated to a polypeptide can be utilized in assays for analytes. The assay methods usually involve a sample suspected of containing an analyte, which is combined in an assay medium with reagents for carrying out the assay. Such reagents can include a binding partner for the analyte, analyte analogs, solid surfaces to which one of the above reagents is bound, binding partners for sbp members. One or more of the reagents can be labeled. The reagents are chosen such that a signal is obtained from a label in relation to the presence or amount of analyte in the sample. The assay can be performed either without separation (homogeneous) or with separation (heterogeneous) of any of the assay compounds or products.
Homogeneous immunoassays are exemplified by the EMIT(copyright) assay products (Syva Company, San Jose, Calif.) disclosed in Rubenstein, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,817,837, column 3, line 6 to column 6, line 64; immunofluorescence methods such as those disclosed in Ullman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,996,345, column 17, line 59 to column 23, line 25; enzyme channeling techniques such as those disclosed in Maggio, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,402, column 6, line 25 to column 9, line 63; and other enzyme immunoassays such as the enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (xe2x80x9cELISAxe2x80x9d) are discussed in Maggio, E. T., infra. Exemplary of heterogeneous assays are the radioimmunoassay, disclosed in Yalow, et al., J. Clin. Invest. 39:1157 (1960). The above disclosures are all incorporated herein by reference. Another method to which the present invention has application is disclosed in Ullman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,453, column 11, line 21 to column 14, line 42, and column 18, line 21 to column 21, line 55, incorporated herein by reference.
Heterogeneous assays usually involve one or more separation steps and can be competitive or non-competitive. A variety of competitive and non-competitive heterogeneous assay formats are disclosed in Davalian, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,390, column 14, line 25 to column 15, line 9, incorporated herein by reference. In a typical competitive heterogeneous assay a support having an antibody for analyte bound thereto is contacted with a medium containing the sample and analyte analog conjugated to a detectable label such as an enzyme (the xe2x80x9cconjugatexe2x80x9d). Analyte in the sample competes with the conjugate for binding to the antibody. After separating the support and the medium, the label activity of the support or the medium is determined by conventional techniques and is related to the amount of analyte in the sample.
A typical non-competitive sandwich assay is an assay disclosed in David, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,530, column 8, line 6 to column 15, line 63, incorporated herein by reference. In this method, an immune sandwich complex is formed in an assay medium. The complex comprises the analyte, a first antibody (monoclonal or polyclonal) that binds to the analyte and a second antibody that binds to the analyte or a complex of the analyte and the first antibody. Subsequently, the immune sandwich complex is detected and is related to the amount of analyte in the sample. The immune sandwich complex is detected by virtue of the presence in the complex of a label wherein either or both the first antibody and the second antibody contain labels or substituents capable of combining with labels.
Sandwich assays find use for the most part in the detection of antigen and receptor analytes. In the assay the analyte is bound by two antibodies specific for the analyte and, thus, the assay is also referred to as the two-site immunometric assay. In one approach a first incubation of unlabeled antibody coupled to a support, otherwise known as the insolubilized antibody, is contacted with a medium containing a sample suspected of containing the analyte. After a wash and separation step, the support is contacted with a medium containing the second antibody, which generally contains a label, for a second incubation period. The support is again washed and separated from the medium and either the medium or the support is examined for the presence of label. The presence and amount of label is related to the presence or amount of the analyte. For a more detailed discussion of this approach see U.S. Pat. Nos. Re 29,169 and 4,474,878, the relevant disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In a variation of the above sandwich assay the sample in a suitable medium is contacted with labeled antibody for the analyte and incubated for a period of time. Then, the medium is contacted with a support to which is bound a second antibody for the analyte. After an incubation period, the support is separated from the medium and washed to remove unbound reagents. The support or the medium is examined for the presence of the label, which is related to the presence or amount of analyte. For a more detailed discussion of this approach see U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,876, the relevant disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
In another variation of the above, the sample, the first antibody bound to a support and the labeled antibody are combined in a medium and incubated in a single incubation step. Separation, wash steps and examination for label are as described above. For a more detailed discussion of this approach see U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,940, the relevant disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention has application to all of the above assays. A particular example of an assay in accordance with the present invention is described below by way of illustration and not limitation. The assay is for the detection of an antibody in a sample suspected of containing such antibody and is described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/310,028 filed Sep. 21, 1994, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In the method an aqueous assay medium is formed comprising the sample, an antigen that binds the antibody thus forming an antigen: antibody complex, and a first binding agent that binds the complex and does not bind the antigen when the antigen is not part of the complex. The amount of antigen added to the medium is Z, wherein Z is within the range of X to nX and Z is less than Y, where n is 5-1000, preferably 10-100, X is the minimum amount of antigen that can be reliably detected when there are no antibodies present in a sample and Y is the maximum expected amount of antibodies in the sample. A second binding agent that selectively binds the antigen relative to binding the complex when the complex is bound to the first binding agent is combined with the assay medium. The antigen bound to the second binding agent is detected. The presence or amount thereof is related to the presence or amount of the antibodies in the sample.
A critical feature of the above method is that the first binding agent can bind the antigen:antibody complex in a manner that precludes binding of the second binding agent to the complex. The binding agents are sbp members and binding of the second binding agent to the first binding agent-bound complex can be better prevented when the first binding agent is bound to a soluble polymer or suspendable solid phase. This provides the added advantage that the first binding agent-bound complex does not need to be separated from the medium prior to the addition of the second binding agent because the first binding agent-bound complex does not interfere with the measurement of free antigen.
The sbp member that makes up the first binding agent is selected so that it binds the antigen:antibody complex and does not bind the antigen when the antigen is not part of the complex, i.e., the first binding agent does not significantly bind to any free or unbound antigen present in the medium. The sbp member may also bind other substances present in the sample, e.g., non-analyte antibodies. This is acceptable provided that the first binding agent does not bind antigen except when the antigen is bound to the analyte antibody.
Suitable sbp members for the first binding agents include, without limitation, antibodies to immunoglobulins; complement factor, C1q; rheumatoid factor; protein G and/or protein A. Some of these materials non-selectively bind immunoglobulins, for example, anti-Fab antibodies and protein A, some selectively bind relatively specific immunoglobulins such as anti-Fc antibodies and rheumatoid factor and some selectively bind immune complexes, for example, C1q. As noted above, in order to prevent binding of the second binding agent to the antigen:antibody complex, it is preferable to have the first binding agent further comprised of a suspendable solid phase or soluble polymer, i.e., the binding agent is bound to a suspendable solid phase or soluble polymer. In accordance with the present invention one of the above first binding agents, e.g., protein A, is conjugated to dextran aldehyde as described above and the conjugate is employed in the assay as described above.
The second binding agent is an sbp member that is capable of binding the antigen. It can be an antibody, preferably a monoclonal antibody, or other receptor for the antigen; a ligand to which the antigen binds as for example an irreversible inhibitor if the antigen is an enzyme; or one member of an sbp where the other member is bound to the antigen. Where the second binding agent is a polypeptide, e.g., an antibody, it can be conjugated with the dextran aldehyde of the present invention to form a soluble polymer.
After addition of the second binding agent, the antigen bound to the second binding agent is detected, its presence or amount being related to the presence or amount of the antibodies in the sample. This relationship is inversely proportional since the higher the concentration of antibodies present in the sample, the lower the amount of free antigen, i.e., the amount of antigen that becomes bound to the second binding agent. Detection of the free antigen can be accomplished in numerous ways. In heterogeneous formats, the second binding agent is bound to a separable support, i.e., a suspendable or non-suspendable solid phase. For example, the second binding agent can be an anti-antigen antibody or a receptor such as streptavidin that can bind to a ligand that is bound to the antigen. In these formats the sample and the antigen are first combined and the first binding agent is then added. After addition of the second binding reagent bound to a support, the support is separated from the mixture. The amount of antigen that has become bound to the second binding agent-support can be measured directly or indirectly. When the antigen has a label bound to it, the presence of the label on the support can be detected. With certain supports, particularly indium, silica, and acoustic devices, even unlabeled antigen can be directly measured. Alternatively, the antigen can be indirectly measured by adding a reagent that will cause the antigen to be specifically labeled, e.g., by adding a labeling agent such as a labeled antibody to the antigen. The label can then be detected by methods well known to those skilled in the art.
Detection of antibodies is a useful tool in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Detection of autoantibodies is also useful in the diagnosis of autoimmune disease. The above assay method can be used to detect numerous antibodies such as antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (xe2x80x9cHIVxe2x80x9d), rubella or herpes and autoantibodies such as autoantibodies to insulin, to glutamic acid decarboxylase (xe2x80x9cGADxe2x80x9d), both the 65 kd and the 67 kd isoforms but more particularly, GAD65; and to other islet cell antigens.
There has been much research relating to detecting autoantibodies as a risk factor for patients developing insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (xe2x80x9cIDDMxe2x80x9d). There are several autoantibodies that are believed to be indicative of IDDM, which is also known as Type I Diabetes or juvenile diabetes. These include autoantibodies to pancreatic islet cell antigens such as insulin, and most recently autoantibodies to the 65 kd isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase (xe2x80x9cGAD65xe2x80x9d) and IA-2. Autoantibodies to GAD65 have been suggested to be one of the earliest markers for the development of IDDM. These autoantibodies are present several years before clinical onset of IDDM, at which time intervention steps could be taken to deter the progression of the disease.
Accordingly, an assay illustrative of the above method is the following. Recombinant GAD65 is labeled with biotin to provide bGAD. This conjugate is then incubated with patient serum samples. A conjugate of protein-A and dextran aldehyde of the present invention is then added and the incubation continued. The suspension is transferred to a microtiter well that has been coated with streptavidin. After incubation to bind free bGAD, the well is washed and incubated with a mouse monoclonal antibody to GAD, which is either conjugated to a label such as horseradish peroxidase (xe2x80x9cHRPxe2x80x9d) or unconjugated. When unconjugated antibodies are used, the well is washed again and then incubated with labeled anti-mouse IgG antibodies. In either case, after the labeled antibodies are added, the well is washed a final time and incubated with any additional sps members. For example, if the label is HRP, then the final incubation could include a solution containing hydrogen peroxide and tetramethylbenzidine, and color development would be read after incubation.
In an assay performed following this format in the present invention, samples that were known to be anti-GAD65 negative showed minimal suppression in signal. Samples that were known to be anti-GAD65 positive had suppressed color development.

Polysaccharide conjugates of biomolecules


Methods for controlling the in-feed and discharge rates of materials flowing into and out of a mixing process where one priority is to achieve a target mixture flow rate from the mixing process and another priority can be to achieve a target value for a mixture property. Actuators can be operated to control material in-feed rates, the mixture composition, and discharge rate, and can maintain a hold-up of the mixture in the mixing process. A total flow rate controller provides a control signal to a controller acting on the discharge rate and a controller acting on the in-feed rates. The mixture discharge flow rate can be automatically reduced from its desired target when the commanded rate of at least one of the materials exceeds its available supply rate as inferred from an inability to maintain the targeted value for the mixture property.

The present disclosure is directed to control methods for mixing and pumping systems, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to control methods for well service fluids, well cement preparation, and well fluid delivery systems used in hydrocarbon well bore servicing applications.
A control system typically comprises one or more physical system components employing a logic circuit that cooperate to achieve a set of common process results. In a mixing and pumping operation, the objectives can be to achieve a particular composition and flow rate for the resulting mixture.
The control system can be designed to reliably control the physical system components in the presence of external disturbances, variations among physical components due to manufacturing tolerances, and changes in inputted set-point values for controlled output values. Control systems usually have at least one measuring device, which provides a reading of a process variable, which can be fed to a controller, which then can provide a control signal to an actuator, which then drives a final control element acting on, for example, a flow stream. Examples of a of final control elements include flow control valves and speed controlled pumps.
The control system can be designed to remain stable and avoid oscillations within a range of specific operating conditions. A well-designed control system can significantly reduce the need for human intervention, even during upset conditions in an operating process.
In a hydrocarbon well bore servicing process, a control system can be used when mixing materials to achieve a desired mixture composition and flow rate. For example, when drilling an oil or gas well, it is common to install a tubular casing into the well bore and to cement the casing in place against the well bore wall. A cement mixing system that supports well bore servicing operations can be designed with a control system configured to provide a desired volumetric or mass flow rate of mixed cement having a desired density or composition in order to achieve desired properties of the cured cement. In particular, the cement mixing control system can control valves to regulate the in-flow of dry cement material and water into a mixing system to obtain the desired cement mixture density and desired cement mixture volumetric or mass flow rate out of the mixing system. The control system can operate, for example, by monitoring the cement mixture flow rate and density, and by regulating an in-flow water control valve and an in-flow dry cement material control valve. But sometimes, the amount of instrumentation available at well service sites is limited. For example, a water flow meter can be routinely present because measuring devices such as turbine meters or Coriolis mass flow meters are reliable and easy to maintain. However, solids flow meters, such as a weigh belt feeder, are much more difficult to service and to keep in calibration. Thus, such solids flow measuring devices are often not present. So, the control system is faced with a challenge as to how to monitor flow rates of a powdered solid, such as cement, without actually measuring the flow rate.
During a well bore cementing operation, the mixed cement is pumped down-hole at a target rate. Sometimes, supply of a particular component can get interrupted momentarily or constrained somehow (e.g. a supply constraint), and can cause a control disturbance to an automatic control system controlling the supply valve actuators and pumping system. For example, dry cement can be supplied from unitized storage systems, e.g. "pods", that require change-over when they become empty, and thus, momentary interruption of the supply of dry cement can occur. For another example, the flow rate of a particular material can be unintentionally and/or unknowingly restricted due to a partial blockage of a supply line. For example, dry cement can pick-up moisture and begin to coat the interior of pipes, or collect at conduit elbows or valves, resulting in a restriction.
One skilled in the art of hydrocarbon well serving can appreciate the volume and speed at which well service fluids are prepared and pumped down-hole in a substantially time-sensitive manner with little or no chance to correct an error, since, for example, a slug of defectively-mixed cement can end-up a mile or more underground. When a supply interruption or constraint occurs, the control system can be faced with a challenge, especially when limited flow rate information is available, as to how to best react to balance quality control of the service fluid, e.g. density control, and the required supply rate, e.g. barrels per minute of fluid demanded down-hole.
Accordingly, a need exists for a mixing control system and a mixing control method that partially couples the effects of changes in the supply availability of the materials to be mixed with the desired supply rate and desired quality of the final mixture.

Methods for self-balancing control of mixing and pumping


In a surgical obturator for piercing a body wall, comprising a tubular housing that at one end forms an introduction tip with a continuously decreasing diameter, and comprising a blade projecting from the introduction tip for making an incision in the body wall, in order to reduce the risk of injury during piercing of the body wall it is proposed that the introduction tip comprises a central protective cap, which is displaceable in longitudinal direction relative to the introduction tip between an advanced inoperative position and a retracted working position, that the blade in the housing is displaceable in longitudinal direction between an advanced cutting position and a retracted protected position, that disposed in the housing is a retraction device that displaces the blade from the cutting position into the protected position, and that the retraction device may be activated by a displacement of the protective cap from the working position into the inoperative position.

The invention relates to a surgical obturator for piercing a body wall, comprising a tubular housing that at one end forms an introduction tip with a continuously decreasing diameter, and comprising a blade projecting from the introduction tip for making an incision in the body wall.
Such obturators are used to form openings in a body wall for a cannula or a tube, which tube may be for example a trocar tube, through which instruments are introduced into the body.
When the obturator is being advanced, there is a risk that the obturator, once it has passed right through the body wall, may be advanced further in an uncontrolled manner and the blade disposed on the front end of the obturator may cause injury to internal organs.
It is therefore known to provide such obturators with a protective shield, which after passage through the body wall is pushed forward and covers the blade (WO89/03661). Advancing the protective shield can likewise lead to injuries, as it often shoots forward abruptly under the action of a spring, and it is moreover usually necessary for the obturator to have fully penetrated the body wall before activation of the protective shield may occur.