Abstract: A centrifuge vessel (10) for performing automated immunoassays is disclosed. The centrifuge vessel (10) comprises a center tube (11) and an outer waste chamber (15). A biomaterial (18) is held within the center tube (11) and is capable of binding specific analytes in test samples. In operation, the centrifuge vessel (10) is rotated at high speed about its longitudinal axis, thereby causing all fluid within the center tube (11) to be transported into the outer waste chamber (15) while the analyte of interest remains bound to the biomaterial (18) positioned within the center tube (11).

Abstract: A method for conducting immunoassays in an automated fashion is disclosed. A biological fluid under test is placed in a tube (11) which has a solid support (18) therein to which a specific analyte in the biological fluid will be selectively bound. After the analyte in the biological fluid is bound to the solid support (18), the tube (11) is rotated at high speed about its longitudinal axis causing the biological fluid to be transported up the inside walls of tube (11), over the open terminal end (16), and into waste chamber (15). The solid support (18) with the bound analyte may easily be washed by flushing the inside of tube (11) with water or other suitable fluids and rotating the tube (11) at high speed about its longitudinal axis.