| abstract |
An immunoassay cassette, apparatus, and method for detecting an analyte in a liquid body-fluid sample are disclosed. The cassette has a body and a support mounted on the body, for movement toward and away from a sample transfer position. A sample supplied to a sample well in the cassette body is taken up by a reagent reservoir containing a first reagent composition effective to react with one or more sample components to form a modified sample. The support provides a reagent strip having a transfer zone that is brought into contact with the reservoir, when the support is moved to its transfer position, a detection zone located downstream of the transfer zone, and a second reagent composition effective to react with the modified sample to form a detectable analyte-dependent product. By controlling the movement of the support toward and away from its transfer position, the volume and rate of sample flow from the reservoir to the strip can be controlled to optimize and/or standardize sample-transfer conditions in the assay. |