Immunoassay device for continuous monitoring

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a device for detecting the presence of organic molecular analytes in fluid, the device including first binding means having a predetermined first affinity for specifically, reversibly binding the analyte, and a molecular conjugate of the analyte with a signal generating molecule which generates a detectable signal.
Second binding means has a predetermined second affinity for reversibly binding the signal generating molecule.
Fluid conducting means conducts the fluid to the first binding means allowing competitive binding of the analyte in the fluid and displacement of the conjugate and for conducting the displaced conjugate to the second binding means.
The signal generator molecule generates a detectable signal distinguishing binding thereof at the first or second binding means thereby indicating the presence of analyte in the fluid.
The present invention further provides a process for detecting the presence of organic molecular analytes in the fluid, the method including the steps of binding the molecular conjugate of the analyte coupled to the signal generating molecule, which generates the detectable signal, to a first binding molecule having a predetermined first affinity for specifically reversibly binding the analyte and conducting the fluid to the first binding molecule and competitively binding analyte in the fluid and displacing bound conjugate.
The displaced conjugate is conducted to a second binding molecule having a second affinity for reversibly binding the signal generating molecule.
A detectable signal is generated which distinguishes binding of the conjugate at the first or second binding molecules thereby indicating the presence of analyte in the fluid.