Patent ID: 7407815

Claim:
A functional cassette for the detection of ligands comprising: a first housing, a second housing and a third housing; wherein each housing is at least partially rotatable relative to an adjoining housing; wherein the first housing contains a sample well to receive a sample, and the sample well is in fluid communication with at least one mixing chamber located within the second housing when the first housing is in a first position relative to the second housing; wherein the at least one mixing chamber contains at least one receptor bindable to a specific type of ligand to form a receptor-ligand complex; at least one compartment for storing a liquid crystalline material, wherein the at least one compartment is in fluid communication with the at least one mixing chamber when the first housing is in a second position relative to the second housing; wherein the third housing comprises at least one detection chamber for observing a signal generated after formation of the receptor-ligand complex; and wherein the at least one detection chamber is in fluid communication with the at least one mixing chamber when the third housing is in a first position relative to the second housing.