Patent ID: 8202487
Filing Date: 2012-06-19
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A device for assaying a fluid for the presence or absence of analytes comprising: (A) a base having adjacent slots therein of sufficient length for insertion of a test strip therein, wherein each slot is defined by (a) a floor, (b) raised walls depending upwardly from the floor to separate each adjacent slot from the next, and (c) at least one open end; (B) a multiplicity of test strips each test strip comprising microporous membrane on a rigid backing having a test zone for a binder for a specific analyte and a control zone thereon and having an upstream and a downstream end, said upstream end comprising a sample absorbing porous pad attached to said rigid backing and in fluid contact with said membrane, said downstream end containing a second porous pad to absorb tested sample, (C) a first cover attached to the upward most surface of each raised wall of the slots of the base and coextensive with said base, wherein the cover retains the test strips within the slots and has a first transparent window formed therein through which the test zone and the control zone of each of the test strips can be viewed, (D) wherein a each test strip is inserted into a different slot of the base so the upstream end and sample absorbing pad of each test strip protrudes out of the open end formed by said base and said first cover, and wherein each protruding test strip part is freestanding and not in contact with any other test strip; and wherein the flat surface of the protruding sample absorbing pad is covered by a second separate cover, and (E) a third cover in the form of a removable cup covering the freestanding protruding ends of the test strips and said second cover.