Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus and a system for effecting testing on a sample, such as for medical testing. The apparatus includes a sample chip (30) provided with at least two chambers (48, 50) within which analyte and a sample to be tested can be located, one chamber being a mixing chamber (48) and the other a detection chamber (50), the latter being provided with a sensor or means to enable sensing of one or more parameters pertaining to the sample. A detector unit (70, 170) includes a slot (76) for holding a sample carrier (30), drive means (94) for moving parts of a sample from the mixing chamber (48) to the detection chamber (50), such as by electromagnetic force, sensing means (60) for sensing the one or more parameters, a diagnostic unit (84) for analyzing the sensed parameters and a display unit (72) for displaying the results of the test to a user. The test unit (70, 170) is preferably handheld, which the sample carrier (30) is preferably in the form of a disposable chip.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence or amount of a metal-labelled analyte (12) in a sample is described. The method comprises the steps of adding a release agent (20) to the metal labelled analyte (12) to release the metal label (18) from the analyte (12), the release agent (20) forming a charged stable species (22) with the metal label (18), applying a potential to bring the charged stable species (22) to an electrode (22), dissolving the charged stable species (22) under a positive potential to form metal ions (26), and carrying out a quantitative determination procedure such as anodic stripping voltammetry to determine the presence or amount of the metal-labelled analyte (12).