Patent ID: 6280618
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: G01N,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for individually detecting a plurality of analytes in a single fluid biological sample by assays that include the binding of said analytes in said biological sample to a solid phase that is in contact with a liquid medium in which said solid phase is insoluble, the separation of said solid phase from said liquid medium, said method comprising:using as said solid phase a plurality of microparticles of magnetically responsive material each with an assay reagent coupled thereto that is selectively active in an assay for one of said analytes, said microparticles classifiable into groups differing by the value of a selected differentiation parameter whose value is detectable, each group distinguishable from other groups by the value of said parameter and by the assay reagent coupled to the microparticles of said group;magnetically separating microparticles in all of said groups from said liquid medium; anddefining said liquid medium as a first liquid medium, resuspending said microparticles separated therefrom in a second liquid medium, analyzing said microparticles in said second liquid medium by flow cytometry in accordance with both the value of said selected differentiation parameter and said plurality of assays, thereby achieving individual detection of said analytes in said biological sample.