Echelons Heparin ELISA is a quantitative immunoassay designed for in vitro measurement of heparin in purified/synthetic samples. The concentration of heparin in the sample is determined using a standard curve of known amounts of heparin in a competitive ELISA format. The heparin in the sample competes with heparin bound to the plate for binding to the Heparin Detector. Therefore, the assay signal is inversely proportional to the amount of heparin present in the sample. The Heparin ELISA provides a robust and simple method for researchers to measure heparin or identify contaminated heparin stock.
Product Background
Heparin is a highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan ranging in size from 6 to 20 kDa. Heparin is presented in mast cell, liver and lungs. Although its function is unknown, it is widely used as an anticoagulant to prevent blood clotting in vivo and in vitro. For example, heparin is used as preventative treatment for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Oversulfated chondroitin sulfate contamination in raw heparin stocks used for injectable heparin manufacturing was discovered in 2008 and resulted in a major recall of related medical products. According to the FDA, it is believed at least 11 deaths were associated with the contaminated heparin-containing devices worldwide. Therefore, ensuring purity of raw heparin is critical in medical heparin manufacturing.
