DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE ASSAY OF AT LEAST ONE SPECIFIC TYPE OF PARTICLE IN A LIQUID SAMPLE

摘要

A device and method for the assay of at least one specific type of particle in a liquid sample. The device comprising: - a hydraulic network comprising at least one capillary duct and at least one fluid reservoir; - at least two electrodes for the application of an electric potential difference for the purpose of generating an electro-osmotic flow in at least a part of the hydraulic network; - at least one binding surface connected to the hydraulic network along which surface a liquid can flow, the surface being suitable to be provided with binding sites where a selective bonding can take place with particles of the specific type, and - a detection system for the assaying of the particles of the specific type. The method comprising the following steps: A. the application of a number of binding sites onto the binding surface; B. conducting of at least a part of the liquid sample to the binding surface by generating an electro-osmotic flow in at least a part of the hydraulic network by the application of electric potential differences by means of electrodes, whereby a bonding takes place between particles of the specific type and at least a part of the binding sites applied on the binding surface, and C. assaying the particles of the specific type by means of a detection system.