| abstract |
Methodology is provided for determining a characteristic of a sample, wherein problems associated with interference from whole blood, and oxygenated whole blood in particular, are avoided. Particularly, small particles are employed to which is bound a reagent, which interacts directly or indirectly, with a component related to the characteristic to be determined, which particles absorb in the infrared. By employing a protocol which results in the agglutination of the particles, the change in light absorption characteristics of the sample can be directly correlated with the presence, and as appropriate, function of the component related to the characteristic of interest in the sample. |