Patent ID: 7087389

Claim:
An analytical device for performing an immunoassay for the detection of a target analyte in a liquid sample comprising: (a) a liquid-permeable porous reaction membrane having an upper and a lower surface, an exposed area of the upper surface having immobilized thereupon an antibody or antigen capable of binding to the target analyte, wherein said immobilized antibody or antigen being concentrated in multiple spotted regions of the said upper surface, and a portion of the lower surface of the reaction membrane in breadth corner has no immobilized antigen or antibody, (b) a semi-rigid liquid impervious bottom support layer attached to the lower surface of the reaction membrane at the breadth corner by water insoluble adhesive or tape having glue on both sides, (c) a body of absorbent material having an upper surface and a lower surface, capable of absorbing liquid, wherein the body of absorbent material is provided separately from the analytical device and in use, the absorbent material is pre-wetted with a liquid and is placed between and in contact with the reaction membrane, which is above the body of the absorbent material, and the bottom support layer, which is below the body of the absorbent material, and (d) the body of absorbent material is capable of absorbing liquid and is larger in size than the reaction membrane.