Detecting analytes or binding reactions, useful e.g. for diagnosis, based on measuring relaxation of birefringence of magnetic marker compounds

摘要

Detecting analytes (A) or binding reactions, using ferro- or ferri-magnetic substances (B) as markers in immunoassays, or other binding assays, is new. The parameter measured is the relaxation of birefringence, or the birefringence over a range of frequencies. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) use of a combination of (B) with structure-specific compounds (I), for detecting (A) or binding reactions by the novel method; (2) use of combinations of (B) with an analyte for detecting binding reactions by the novel method; and (3) use, for performing the novel method, of a device comprising a source of polarized light, sample receptor, a system for magnetizing the sample with magnetic pulses or a magnetic field of variable frequency, and a system for analyzing the polarization direction of polarized light.