Patent ID: 6881581

Claim:
An assay device for measuring serum cholesterol associated with high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in a blood fluid sample also containing low density lipoproteins (LDL) or very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), the device comprising: a sample distribution matrix effective to distribute a blood fluid sample from a sample application region within the matrix to one or more sample collection regions within the matrix; an HDL assay element, in which HDL concentration can be assayed, spaced apart from said sample distribution matrix, a reagent pad, disposed between said HDL assay element and said sample distribution matrix, and spaced apart from said matrix, said reagent pad containing a reagent effective to selectively remove non-HDL lipoproteins from the fluid sample, and mounting means effective (a) to maintain said device in a sample-distribution position, wherein said HDL assay element and reagent pad are spaced apart from said matrix, and (b) to transfer said device to a test position, whereby the HDL assay element is placed or maintained in contact with the reagent pad, and the reagent pad is, concurrent with or subsequent to said contact, brought into contact with said matrix.