Abstract: A method for determining the occurrence of an analyte subpopulation of heteroforms of a substance (=S) in a liquid sample. The method comprises as its main characteristic features the step of: (i) providing a flow path which a) comprises an outlet part and an inlet part, b) comprises a capture zone (CZ) containing a solid phase exhibiting an immobilized analyte specific binder (B) [=affinity counterpart to the substance] which is capable of affinity binding to S with an affinity that differs for the various heteroforms of S, and c) permits capillary suction from the outlet part for driving a liquid flow through CZ, (ii) flowing said liquid sample containing S in the downstream direction through CZ while S is captured by said binder B in CZ, (iii) determining the distribution of S along the flow direction in CZ by measuring the relative amount of S in at least one subzonei of CZ, and (iv) determining the occurrence of the analyte subpopulation based on the distribution determined in step (iii).

Abstract: A method for the determination of the occurrence of an analyte subpopulation of isoEPOs in a biological fluid comprising the steps of: i) providing a liquid sample deriving from the biological fluid and containing isoEPOs that are characteristic (=analyte isoEPOs) for said analyte subpopulation together with isoEPOs of other subpopulations, ii) separating the isoEPOs of said liquid sample into two or more fractions so that at least one of these fractions contains analyte isoEPOs which are enriched relative to other isoEPOs, by A) contacting the liquid sample with an isoEPO reactant under conditions allowing affinity complex formation between isoEPOs of the liquid sample and the affinity reactant, and B) fractionating and collecting the isoEPOs of the liquid sample into said two or more fractions, relating the occurrence of analyte isoEPOs in said at least one fraction to the occurrence of said analyte subpopulation in the biological fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to an analytical chromatographic method which comprises the steps of: a) providing a membrane type flow matrix attached to a liquid-impervious backing, which flow matrix permits a capillary force assisted lateral fluid flow therethrough, and at least a part of which flow matrix contains ion-exchange functions; b) treating the flow matrix to reduce or eliminate unspecific adsorption properties of the flow matrix; c) applying to the flow matrix a sample containing at least two components; d) initiating a first lateral flow of aqueous fluid to transport the sample through the flow matrix and separate said components therein; e) interrupting the lateral flow; and either f1) detecting at least one of the separated components on the flow matrix in the position reached by the respective component when the flow was interrupted; or f2a) initiating a second flow of aqueous fluid to transport the components in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of the first lateral flow; f2b)

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining an analyte by means of binding reactions, which method comprises: i) applying the sample to an application zone for sample (ASZ) on a flow matrix in which transport of components present in the sample can take place (transport flow), the flow matrix further exhibiting: a) optionally an application zone (AR*Z) for a binding reactant (Reactant*=R*) which is analytically detectable; b) a detection zone (DZ), which is located downstream of ASZ and exhibits an additional binding reactant (Capturer) firmly anchored to the matrix, and in which a complex (signal complex) containing the Capturer and the analyte and/or Reactant* is formed during the reaction, and ii) detecting the signal complex in the detection zone, the measured signal being used for determining the analyte.

Abstract: The invention relates to method for determining an analyte by means of binding reactions, which method comprises: i) applying the sample to an application zone for sample (ASZ) on a flow matrix in which transport of components present in the sample can take place (transport flow), the flow matrix further exhibiting: a) optionally an application zone (AR*Z) for a binding reactant (Reactant*=R*) which is analytically detectable; b) a detection zone (DZ), which is located downstream of ASZ and exhibits an additional binding reactant (Capturer) firmly anchored to the matrix, and in which a complex (signal complex) containing the Capturer and the analyte and/or Reactant* is formed during the reaction, and ii) detecting the signal complex in the detection zone, the measured signal being used for determining the analyte.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for qualitative, semi-quantitative or quantitative determination of at least two analytes in an aqueous sample containing or suspected of containing the analytes, which method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a flow matrix comprising a separation zone extending in a first dimension thereof, and a detection zone extending in the first dimension in a spaced parallel relationship with the separation zone, the detection zone comprising an immobilized reagent capable of capturing the analytes through biospecific interaction therewith, (ii) applying the sample to the flow matrix at or upstream of the separation zone, (iii) initiating a first essentially aqueous fluid flow in the flow matrix along the separation zone in the first dimension to transport the analytes through the separation zone to be separated therein, (iv) interrupting the first fluid flow and initiating a second essentially aqueous fluid flow in a second dimension of the flow matrix substantially transverse