Abstract: A method of assaying for an analyte including the steps of: (i) passing a sample suspected of containing an analyte and reagents comprising a target ligand-analyte receptor conjugate and a detectable tracer containing a label for the analyte through filter apparatus containing a plurality of discrete flow zones wherein at least one zone functions as a capture zone having bonded thereto a receptor ligand for said target ligand; (ii) allowing the sample and accompanying reagents to incubate prior to passage through said at least one zone to facilitate formation of complex(es) of said conjugate and said at least one analyte in a liquid or fluid phase; and (iii) detecting the presence of analyte in the sample by activation of the label in said at least one zone after binding of the complex(es) conjugate to the associated receptor ligand(s).

Abstract: A microplate assembly for use in analyzing samples captured on a filter medium comprises a carrier plate, a holding tray, a collimator, and a cover film. These elements are generally rectangular in shape and are sized to stack on top of one another. The holding tray is positioned within the carrier plate, the collimator and filter medium are positioned within the holding tray with the filter medium positioned beneath the collimator, and the cover film is sealed over the collimator. To prepare samples in the microplate assembly for analysis, the samples are captured on the filter medium and the filter medium is placed in the holding tray. After adding scintillation cocktail or luminescent substrate to the filter medium, the collimator is placed over the holding tray with the filter medium positioned between the collimator and the holding tray and the samples disposed in the sample wells.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a microtiter plate formed of a substantially rigid, polymeric plate having a substantially flat upper surface and a regular array of similar wells, typically either cylindrical or frusto-conical, each well being defined by a fluid-impervious peripheral wall extending a predetermined distance along an axis substantially perpendicularly to that upper surface between an opening in the upper surface and a well bottom. Disposed within the well adjacent the bottom is a porous structure providing a surface area at least five times greater than the surface area of the interior well bottom. The well bottom may be either fluid impervious or pervious. Where the well bottom is fluid pervious, it may be formed from a fluid impervious sheet apertured to accept and be bonded to the peripheries of the ends of a plurality of fluid pervious ultrafiltration fibers that may have hollow cores.

Abstract: A microplate forms a multiplicity of sample wells for holding samples to be assayed by light emissions or light transmission. The microplate comprises a unitary upper plate and a unitary lower plate. The unitary upper plate forms the side walls of the sample wells, while the unitary lower plate forms the bottom walls of the sample wells. The side walls are opaque so that light cannot be transmitted between adjacent wells through the side walls. The bottom walls are transparent to allow the transmission of light therethrough. Bands of opaque material surround the bottom wall of each well and are located below a level of an upper surface of, the bottom wall of each well. The bands of opaque material are constructed and arranged to block the transmission of light between adjacent wells through the lower plate.

Abstract: A microplate forms a multiplicity of sample wells for holding samples to be assayed by light emissions or light transmission. The plate comprises an upper plate forming the side walls of the sample wells, the side walls being opaque so that light cannot be transmitted between adjacent wells through the side walls, and a lower plate forming the bottom walls of the sample wells, the bottom walls being transparent to allow the transmission of light therethrough. Bands of opaque material are provided within the lower plate and surrounding each well to block the transmission of light between adjacent wells through the lower plate.

Abstract: An assay filter unit where the filter of the unit is sealed into the body of the unit to prevent any passage of material to be assayed round the edge of the filter but is removable by breaking out a filter support grid along a predetermined line of weakness, together with the filter, for assay of material retained on the filter.