Patent ID: 7666687

Claim:
A method of performing immunological assay of a fluid sample, wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) pumping said fluid sample from a fluid reservoir, where said fluid sample is placed therein, to a reaction chamber, wherein said fluid reservoir and said reaction chamber are defined in a fluidic cartridge and said reaction chamber comprises therein a plurality of immobilized species; (b) allowing said fluid sample to react with said plurality of immobilized species for a predetermined reaction time; and (c) excluding said fluid sample from said reaction chamber through an exit port wherein said fluid reservoir, said reaction chamber and said exit port are connected by one or more channels of capillary dimensions, wherein said fluidic cartridge includes a first substrate, a second substrate and an flexible intermediate interlayer sealedly interfaced between said first substrate and said second substrate to form therein said fluid reservoir, said one or more channels, said reaction chamber, and said exit port, and wherein said fluidic cartridge further provides a fluid flow controlling structure therein to restrict a flow of said fluid sample through said reaction chamber via said one or more channels in one direction only wherein in said steps (a) and (c), a linear actuator provides a pumping action in a pump chamber defined in said fluidic cartridge so as to pump said fluid sample to flow from said fluid reservoir to said exit port through said reaction chamber and said one or more channels.