Patent ID: 7387898

Claim:
A multi-reaction site assay plate structure comprising: an upper substantially planar, rigid surface; a lower closely spaced opposed and substantially planar, rigid surface a plurality of dividers extending between said upper and lower surfaces so as to define a space therebetween, and to define a plurality of sectors that are configured to receive a sector plate insert; at least one coverless sector plate insert configured to be removeably inserted in a sector so as to define a liquid receiving chamber between the upper surface of the sector plate insert and the upper rigid surface, wherein said upper surface of the sector plate insert comprises a plurality of separate reaction sites; at least one first opening in one of said upper and lower surfaces providing access to said chamber for introduction of fluid thereto from an external location, the sites being such that when excess fluid is subsequently withdrawn through said at least one first opening some of said fluid is left at said sites; and encoded information stored in at least one of said upper and lower surfaces so as to be readable by a scanned light beam, said encoded information including address information providing location information as to the part of said assay plate structure being scanned by the light beam.