Abstract: The invention provides methods and algorithms for measuring one or more analytes in a sample by using a plurality of releasable molecular tags attached to binding compounds specific for the analytes of interest. After binding compounds specifically bind to their respective analytes to form complexes, the molecular tags of the binding compounds forming such complexes are cleaved and released, while the molecular tags of those binding compounds not forming such complexes are not released. The released molecular tags are then electrophorectically separated along with one or more electrophorectic standards to generate electropherogram data, and the identity of each molecular tag is determined by the location of its corresponding peak in such data relative to the one or more of the electrophorectic standards.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and algorithms for measuring one or more analytes in a sample by using a plurality of releasable molecular tags attached to binding compounds specific for the analytes of interest. After binding compounds specifically bind to their respective analytes to form complexes, the molecular tags of the binding compounds forming such complexes are cleaved and released, while the molecular tags of those binding compounds not forming such complexes are not released. The released molecular tags are then electrophoretically separated along with one or more electrophoretic standards to generate electropherogram data, and the identity of each molecular tag is determined by the location of its corresponding peak in such data relative to the one or more of the electrophoretic standards.

Abstract: A scatter signal is produced from light scattered by a precipitate formed by a chemical reaction and non-specific scatter sources. A blanking signal is produced from light scattered only by the non-specific scatter sources that contribute to the scatter signal, and the blanking signal is subtracted from the scatter signal to dynamically produce a signal indicative of the difference between the scatter signals to reduce the effects of non-specific scattering sources in determining the rate of change of the light scattered by the precipitate. One of the scatter signals may be stored and then combined with the other, or the signals may be measured simultaneously and then combined.

Abstract: The peak verify time for kinetic nephelometric measurements of reactions between antigens and antibodies is adjusted as a function of the magnitude of the peak rate order to reduce the time required for peak verification. The scatter signal is zeroed following the end of the peak verification period and the reaction is tested for antigen excess. Reactions during the antigen excess check having rates that exceed a threshold value are accepted as being valid, and no additional measurements are made for such samples. Reactions during the antigen excess check having rates that are less than the threshold value are rejected as being in antigen excess. Samples found to be in antigen excess are diluted and then reanalyzed.