Abstract: A method of making a no wash bead based assay comprises preparing a first reagent comprising a buffer, and preparing a second reagent comprising a protein. Beads of preselected size and having a coefficient of variation less than 5% are prepared, including washing the beads in the buffer to form a bead-buffer matrix and reducing the surfactancy of the beads to an effective amount. Thereafter, an antigen for detecting the presence of a target species is added to the bead-buffer matrix such that the antigen attaches to the beads to form a bead-antigen mixture. The surfactancy of the beads facilitates attachment of the antigen thereto. Buffer is added to the bead-antigen mixture and thereafter the mixture is incubated. The second reagent is added to the bead-antigen mixture to reduce or eliminate non-specific binding sites.

Abstract: Immunoassay methods and apparatus are provided which utilize flow cytometry, coated latex microspheres, and fluorochrome labeled antibodies, to simultaneously detect the presence and amount of one or more analytes in a sample. Beads of several different sizes, colors or shapes, each bead are coated with a different analyte, for the simultaneous detection of one or more analytes and of cell components. The invention is also directed to platelet Ig positive control reagents and assays which provide for the setting of the fluorescence positive region for each patient. The platelet control is sized to fit between the platelets and red cells and thus making it ideal as a true biological control.

Abstract: Immunoassay methods and apparatus are provided which utilize flow cytometry, coated latex microspheres, and fluorochrome labeled antibodies, to simultaneously detect the presence and amount of one or more analytes in a sample. By combining FALS and fluorescence, it is practical to use beads of several different sizes, colors or shapes, each bead coated with a different analyte, for the simultaneous detection of one or more analytes and of cell components such as platelets in a sample.

Abstract: A no-wash multiplex bead system is disclosed in which all basic reaction materials can be placed into single container via manual application, robotic transfer, or any other batch-type testing procedure and allowed to incubate followed by analysis on a flow cytometer.

Abstract: Immunoassay methods and apparatus are provided which utilize flow cytometry, coated latex microspheres, and fluorochrome labeled antibodies, to simultaneously detect the presence and amount of one or more analytes in a sample. By combining FALS and fluorescence, it is practical to use beads of several different sizes, colors or shapes, each bead coated with a different analyte, for the simultaneous detection of one or more analytes and of cell components such as platelets in a sample.

Abstract: Immunoassay methods and apparatus are provided which utilize flow cytometry, coated latex microspheres, and fluorochrome labeled antibodies, to simultaneously detect the presence and amount of one or more analytes in a sample. Beads of several different sizes, colors or shapes, each bead are coated with a different analyte, for the simultaneous detection of one or more analytes and of cell components. The invention is also directed to platelet Ig positive control reagents and assays which provide for the setting of the fluorescence positive region for each patient. The platelet control is sized to fit between the platelets and red cells and thus making it ideal as a true biological control.