Patent ID: 8415171
Filing Date: 2013-04-09
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a fluid sample, comprising: exposing a plurality of capture objects, each including a binding surface having affinity for at least one type of analyte molecule or particle, to a solution containing or suspected of containing the at least one type of analyte molecules or particles, wherein at least some of the capture objects become associated with at least one analyte molecule or particle; spatially segregating at least a portion of the capture objects subjected to the exposing step into a plurality of locations; addressing at least some of the plurality of locations and determining a measure indicative of the percentage of said locations containing a capture object associated with at least one analyte molecule or particle, wherein the locations addressed are locations which contain at least one capture object; and based upon the percentage, either determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in the fluid sample based at least in part on the number of locations containing a capture object associated with at least one analyte molecule or particle, or determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in the fluid sample based at least in part on a measured intensity level of a signal of that is indicative of the presence of a plurality of analyte molecules or particles.