초록

An element and method for easily performing liquid assays are disclosed. The element uses capillary action to draw a predetermined volume of a liquid sample into a reaction chamber charged with reagent, where reaction between the liquid sample and the reagent is monitored.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for performing a prothrombin time assay, comprising: (i) subjecting to an oscillating magnetic field a reaction slide bearing (1) a sample well for receiving a liquid sample and (2) a reaction chamber containing a dry reagent matrix in which is embedded a plurality of magnetic particles dis

A method for performing a prothrombin time assay, comprising: (i) subjecting to an oscillating magnetic field a reaction slide bearing (1) a sample well for receiving a liquid sample and (2) a reaction chamber containing a dry reagent matrix in which is embedded a plurality of magnetic particles distributed homogeneously therethrough, wherein said reagent is one member selected from the group consisting of prothrombin time assay reagents; said sample well and reaction chamber being in fluid connection through a transport zone of geometry such that a volume of liquid analyte sample placed in said sample well and corresponding to the volume of said reaction chamber is transported from said sample well to said reaction chamber simultaneously; (ii) adding a whole blood or plasma sample to said sample well whereby said sample is introduced simultaneously to said reaction chamber, said reagent is solubilized and said particles are freed to move in an oscillating pattern induced by said oscillating magnetic field; and (iii) optically monitoring said reaction chamber to measure a start time and a stop time for said prothrombin time assay, corresponding to a change in the degree of said particle movement relative to said magnetic field.