Patent ID: 7754150

Claim:
A system for detecting a component of interest in a sample, the system comprising: (i) a microfluidic device comprising: (a) a first microscale channel comprising a gel filled component separation region; (b) a second microscale channel downstream from the first channel that is fluidly coupled to the first channel, the second channel configured to contain a particle set therein; (c) a binding region fluidly coupled to or within the first channel; (d) a source of a component-binding moiety fluidly coupled to the binding region which is capable of binding to the component of interest; (e) a first detection region within the first channel; and (f) a second detection region within the second channel which includes a particle stacking region within the second detection region; (ii) a fluid direction system fluidly coupled to the microfluidic device, which fluid direction system is configured to transport the sample through at least the first and second microscale channels; (iii) a control system operably linked to the fluid direction system, which control system is configured to instruct the fluid direction system to deliver or transport the sample through at least the first and second microscale channels; and (iv) a detection system which is configured to be positioned proximal to the first and second detection regions.