Patent ID: 7795038

Claim:
An assay device for performing a non-HDL assay in conjunction with 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) a plurality of porous elements through which said blood fluid sample can flow in sequence by capillary action and/or gravity, said plurality comprising: (i) a sample distribution matrix; (ii) an HDL test pad, downstream of said matrix, in which HDL concentration can be assayed; (iii) upstream of said HDL test pad, a reagent element containing an immobilized reagent, not soluble in the fluid sample, which is effective to selectively bind and remove non-HDL lipoproteins from the fluid sample; and (iv) a non-HDL test pad, downstream of said sample distribution matrix, in which a non-HDL assay may be performed, wherein a sample flow path to the non-HDL test pad does not contain said reagent element; and (b) mounting means effective to adjust the device between (a) a sample-distribution position, wherein the HDL test pad and the reagent element are not in fluid communication with the sample distribution matrix and are not in fluid communication with any element that removes cellular components, and further wherein the non-HDL test pad is not in fluid communication with the sample distribution matrix; and (b) a test position, wherein said HDL test pad, reagent element, and distribution matrix are in fluid communication with each other; while said non-HDL test pad is not in fluid communication with the reagent element.