Patent ID: 8110147

Claim:
A method for qualitatively or quantitatively analyzing an analyte in a sample comprising: providing a specific binding analysis device that includes: two rectangular substrates stacked together, spacers interposed between said two rectangular substrates along a lengthwise direction of said two rectangular substrates stacked together, wherein a space forming zone is formed between said two rectangular substrates stacked together, one of a widthwise end of said two rectangular substrates stacked together having an opening for applying a sample containing said analyte thereto, and an air-permeable member comprising filter paper positioned in another widthwise end of said two rectangular substrates stacked together, said space forming zone having in its interior a detection zone with a specific binding substance immobilized thereto, said specific binding substance being capable of binding to said analyte; contacting said opening with the sample, said opening being directed downward such that a longitudinal direction of said specific binding analysis device is substantially perpendicular to a horizontal direction; allowing said sample to move upward, by capillarity, from said opening to said detection zone before said sample reaches said air-permeable member; and causing a specific binding reaction between said analyte and said specific binding substance, thereby generating a signal attributed to said specific binding reaction, said signal being detectable to perform a qualitative or quantitative analysis of said analyte.