Patent ID: 7824927

Claim:
A method for detecting an analyte using an active assay comprising: a. introducing an analyte solution containing a plurality of analytes to a lacquered membrane, said lacquered membrane: i. being a semi-permeable membrane with at least one surface coated with a layer of polymers, forming a lacquered layer; ii. having a plurality of probe molecules immobilized on said lacquered layer; and iii. being electrically conductive; b. capturing said analytes by: i. applying an external force to said analytes to move said analytes towards said lacquered layer, thereby allowing some of said analytes to bind onto said probe molecules; and ii. reversing the direction of said external force to remove said analytes that are unbound or weakly bound; c. detecting said analytes left bound to said probe molecules or said lacquered layer; and d. wherein said probe molecules are anchored on said surface using particles in a way that allows said probe molecules to freely float on said particles, said particles having at least one fluid layer.