Patent ID: 7544474

Claim:
A method for sequentially detecting multiple test materials in a test sample comprises the steps in sequence of: (a) adding a test sample into a test column, said test column having at least two different target capture materials on a single test snare without separation, a first target capture material being specific to a first test material in said test sample and a second target capture material being specific to a second test material in said test sample; and wherein said first test material binds to said first target capture material to form a bound first test material on said test snare and said second test material binds to said second target capture material to form a bound second test material on said test snare; (b) washing said test column to remove unbound test materials; (c) adding a first probe to attach specifically to said bound first test material on said test snare, said first probe having thereon a first chemical label; (d) washing said test column to remove unbound first probe; (e) detecting signals generated by said first chemical label on said test snare for determining the presence of said first test material; (f) adding a second probe to attach specifically to said bound second test material on said test snare in step (c), said second probe having thereon a second chemical label; (g) washing said test column to remove unbound second probe; and (h) detecting signals generated by said second chemical label on said test snare for determining the presence of said second test material.