DEVICES HAVING SUBSURFACE FLOW AND THEIR USE IN DIAGNOSTIC ASSAYS

摘要

The present invention is directed to improving the performance of assays using a disposable assay device which includes a porous material (20) in liquid with a capillary track 118). In particular, the capillary track (18) is used in conjunction with the solid support to direct test sample and assay reagents directly to a defined reaction site (22) on or in the porous material (20). Signal development at the reaction site (22) indicates the assay result. The present invention is also directed to the construction of a disposable assay device (10) which includes a capillary track (18). In particular, the capillary track is formed by printing a fluid insoluble material (25a), in the reverse image of the desired capillary track (18), on a film layer (23) and then capping the printed material. Alternatively, the capillary track (18) is formed by printing a fluid insoluble material, in the reverse image (30) of the desired capillary track (18), on a porous material (25b) which is then sandwiched between two film layers (23, 26). The present invention is also directed to a drop-forming means (50) which may incorporate one or more assay reagents to allow for improved sample processing and reagent addition, mixing and incubation.