Assay device and method for chemical or biological screening

摘要

An assay device ( 1 ) comprises a base ( 2 ) and glass plate lid ( 3 ). The base ( 2 ) has an array of shallow microwells ( 4 ), each having a flat rim ( 9 ), all rims being co-planar. When the lid ( 3 ) is placed on the base ( 2 ) a thin capillary gap ( 10 ) is formed on each rim, acting as a liquid seal for a microwell chamber. The liquid is excess sample liquid and further excess is accommodated in overspill cavities ( 6 ) between the microwells ( 4 ). Because of the liquid seal and shallow configuration the benefits of microfluidic devices are achieved together with the handling convenience and use of conventional detection equipment of conventional microplate devices.