Abstract: Analytical test strip apparatus for chemical, physical and biological experiments on small samples of fluids or fluid-like materials, consists of a thin, flat, hollow, pliable strip the interior including a channel completely filled with a thin layer of an inert liquid, preferably of a grease like consistency, into which liquid is introduced a small amount of the fluid to be tested, to form a movable "blister". The blister is propelled through the inert liquid, which confines it at all times front and rear, by applied external pressure. A plurality of chemical, physical, biological or detection stations are typically located in said channel. A physical station might consist of a filter membrane; a chemical station of a small pocket of chemical reagent; a detecting station of a material sensitive to pH. The stations are confined by the inert liquid filling the interior channel of the strip.

Abstract: A sample of fluid is processed in a sandwich-like processing card comprising an upper layer and a lower layer, at least one of which layers has pliable characteristics. The space between the two layers is completely filled with a liquid preferably having certain grease-like characteristics so as to exclude all contaminating air. The liquid filled space is referred to as the activity plane. In operation, a sample of the fluid to be tested in the form of a small droplet is injected into the activity plane so as to constitute a blister. The blister may be moved throughout the activity plane by an external pusher of appropriate geometry. The pusher acts upon the blister by pressing on and moving along the pliable layer. Also located in the activity plane are a plurality of chemical, physical or detecting process stations to which the blister may be moved by the pusher as desired. The entire apparatus preferably is rectangular in shape but also may be circular or cylindrical.