Whole blood analyses and diffusion apparatus therefor

摘要

Methods and apparatuses are featured for analyzing whole blood samples by diffusion techniques in porous media. A fluid component of the whole blood is diffused into a thin-film porous medium of a given predetermined volume. Hematocrit dependent errors in diffusion time do not pose a problem in obtaining a precise aliquot of the fluid component of the whole blood due to rapid diffusion and saturation of the fluid component into the porous medium. In another embodiment, diffusion switches or valves allow for precise aliquots in porous media by control of the diffusion and/or reaction of sample analyte with reagents.