Analytical method
The present invention provides a method of analyzing a sample containing an analyte to be qualitatively and/or quantitatively determined, comprising a binding step and a washing step, wherein the binding step comprises: interacting the analyte with beads having a density m 1 ; obtaining a structure of packed beads comprising quantifiable bead complexes having a density m 2 ; and the washing step comprises: dispersing the packed beads in a liquid medium having a density d>m 2 and m 1 ; and separating the liquid medium and the beads comprising the quantifiable bead complexes.
1. A method of analyzing a sample containing an analyte to be qualitatively and/or quantitatively determined, comprising binding and washing step, wherein the binding comprises:
a) interacting the analyte with quantifiable beads able to bind the analyte and having a density m 1 to provide quantifiable bead complexes having a density m 2 ; and
b) obtaining a structure of packed beads comprising the quantifiable bead complexes wherein the structure of the packed beads is obtained by having the beads arranged in a section of a fluid circuit, the section comprises a first and a second opening and a particle retaining element able to retain the beads in the section restore; and
the washing step comprises:
c) dispersing the packed beads comprising the quantifiable bead complexes in a liquid medium having a density d>m 2 and m 1 ; and
d) separating the liquid medium and the packed beads comprising the quantifiable bead complexes.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the beads of step a) optionally comprise a defined amount of analyte-tracer substance units.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the analyte is interacted with a tracer substance before, during or after step a).
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interaction of the analyte with the beads having a density m 1 provides the quantifiable bead complexes.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the particle retaining element is a filter element or bend arranged at the first or second opening.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the section is part of an internal fluid circuit of a fluidic chip, through which internal fluid circuit various reactants, including beads and a sample containing at least one analyte, is able to be moved by use of centrifugal force.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein step a) is performed in a first liquid medium having a density d 1 <m 1 .
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the binding step further comprises a step of separating the first liquid medium and the beads.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the binding step comprises packing the beads by applying a centrifugal force in a first direction relative to the section, such that the structure of packed beads in step b) is obtained.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the washing comprises applying a centrifugal force in substantially the first direction during step c).
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the beads comprising the quantifiable bead complexes are transferred from the section by applying a centrifugal force having a second direction different from the first direction.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising analyzing the quantifiable bead complexes, such that the analyte of the sample is qualitatively and/or quantitatively determined.