| abstract |
An apparatus is provided for use in an immunoassay for the detection of a target analyte in a liquid sample, comprising a porous reactive filter, having an upper surface and a lower surface, to which is bound an antibody specific for the target antigen; a holder affixed to the porous filter, wherein the upper surface and lower surface of the reactive filter are accessible for passage of liquids through the reactive filter; an absorbent container capable of being detachably attached to the holder; and an absorbent material contained within the container so as to contact the lower surface of the porous filter when the absorbent container is attached to the holder. A prefilter assembly can optionally be attached to the holder so that the prefilter contacts the upper surface of the reactive filter. The prefilter assembly, if present, and the absorbent container can readily be detached from the holder to avoid problems of back flow and to allow ease of storage of the disassembled holder and reactive filter for analysis and comparison with related assays, optionally a series of assays run at different times. |