Patent ID: 7960184

Claim:
A method for detecting analytes comprising: a. immobilizing first probe molecules onto a surface of a first semi-permeable membrane that is positioned across a plurality of isolated channels formed from wells of a microplate, wherein only edges of the first semi-permeable membrane are bound to a first support; b. placing a second semi-permeable membrane in a position that is parallel to the first semi-permeable membrane, forming a plurality of isolated gaps with the first semi-permeable membrane, i. wherein the first probe molecules are inside the gap and facing the second semi-permeable membrane; and ii. wherein only edges of the second semi-permeable membrane are bound to a second support; c. contacting the side of the first semi-permeable membrane that is outside the gap with a first electrolyte solution, the first electrolyte solution being in contact with a first electrode; d. contacting the side of the second semi-permeable membrane that is outside the gap with a second electrolyte solution, the second electrolyte solution being in contact with a second electrode; e. filling at least one of the plurality of gaps with an analyte solution or suspension to create a fluid connection between analytes in the analyte solution or the suspension with the first probe molecules; f. applying an electric potential to the first electrode and the second electrode to electrophoretically move the analytes toward the first probe molecules; g. removing the analytes that are unbound or weakly bound to the first probe molecules; and h. detecting analytes bound to the first probe molecules.