| abstract |
A process for attaching a substance, especially an organic substance, onto one or more microparticles is provided. The process involves providing a quantity of a substance to be attached onto the microparticles, as well as a quantity of microparticles. The organic substance is then directed through a first conduit (12, 206) and the microparticles are sent through a second conduit (16, 212). The first (12, 206) and second (16, 212) conduits meet at a confluence point (26, 214, 305), and it is there that the substance and the microparticles mix such that the substance attaches to, and coats the microparticles. In a preferred embodiment, there is further provided mixing means such as an in-line static mixer (22, 216, 238, 307, 317, 323, 329) for mixing together the substance and the microparticles. The coated microparticles can be utilized in all manners of immunoassay, nucleic acid assay, cell assay and therapeutic injectable applications. The microparticles herein may also be replaced with another organic substance for conjugation or attachment to the first organic substance. |