Preloaded test substrates for testing LAL-reactive substances, methods of use, and methods of making

1. A preloaded test substrate for detecting a LAL-reactive substance, wherein at least a portion of said preloaded test substrate has been preloaded with:

at least one LAL-reactive standard, or

at least one detection reagent and at least one LAL-reactive standard;

wherein said LAL-reactive standard is present in at least two different concentrations and each concentration is present on a separate portion of said preloaded test substrate.

2. The preloaded test substrate of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said preloaded test substrate has a modified surface.

3. The preloaded test substrate of claim 2 , wherein said modified surface is modified using plasma etching.

4. The preloaded test substrate of claim 2 , wherein said modified surface is modified using at least one coating, wherein said coating is a static coating, dynamic coating, or combinations thereof.

5. The preloaded test substrate of claim 4 , wherein at least one static coating is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG), collagen, and combinations thereof.

6. The preloaded test substrate of claim 4 , wherein at least one dynamic coating is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG), sodium deoxycholate, and combinations thereof.

7. The preloaded test substrate of claim 1 , further comprising at least one mechanical barrier between at least one of said separate portions.

8. The preloaded test substrate of claim 7 , wherein at least one mechanical barrier is soluble.

9. The preloaded test substrate of claim 1 , wherein said preloaded test substrate further comprises a portion identification mechanism.

10. The preloaded test substrate of claim 1 , wherein said preloaded test substrate is a microplate.

11. The preloaded test substrate of claim 1 , wherein said preloaded test substrate further comprises a barrier material to protect said preloaded test substrate from environmental exposure and surface contamination.

12. A method for measuring a LAL-reactive substance in a sample, said method comprising:

(a) contacting said sample with a preloaded test substrate wherein at least a portion of said preloaded test substrate has been preloaded with:

at least one LAL-reactive standard, or

at least one detection reagent and at least one LAL-reactive standard;

wherein said LAL-reactive standard is present in at least two different concentrations, and each concentration is present on a separate portion of said test substrate, thereby making a prepared sample; and

(b) measuring an absorbance of said prepared sample.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of said preloaded test substrate has a modified surface.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said modified surface is modified using plasma etching.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein said modified surface is modified using at least one coating, wherein said coating is a static coating, dynamic coating, or combinations thereof.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein at least one static coating is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG), collagen, and combinations thereof.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein at least one dynamic coating is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG), sodium deoxycholate, and combinations thereof.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein said plurality of LAL-reactive standard concentrations is used to generate a standard curve.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein said preloaded test substrate is a microplate.

20. The method of claim 12 , wherein said preloaded test substrate further comprises a barrier material to protect said preloaded test substrate from environmental exposure and surface contamination.