Patent ID: 8722426

Claim:
A method for the detection of multiple analytes in a fluid sample, the method comprising: contacting a device with a fluid sample suspected of containing one or more analytes of interest, the device comprising a matrix defining an axial flow path, the matrix comprising: i) a sample receiving zone at an upstream end of the flow path that receives the fluid sample, ii) a label zone positioned within the flow path and downstream from the sample receiving zone, said label zone comprising a first labeled reagent and a second labeled reagent, each of said labeled reagents capable of binding an analyte to form a labeled analyte and mobilizable in the presence of fluid sample, iii) at least two test zones positioned within the flow path and downstream from the label zone, wherein each of the at least two test zones contain a component for restraint of a different labeled analyte or combination of labeled analytes in each test zone, and iv) two or more control zones positioned within the flow path and downstream from the label zone, including a control zone positioned upstream of a test zone; and detecting one or more labeled analytes of interest restrained in the one or more test zones; wherein at least one of the control zones is positioned downstream of all the test zones; and wherein at least one of the control zones contains antibody that provides for the immobilization of the labeled reagents not bound to said one or more analytes, and acts as a reference zone to provide an indication of the relative location of one or more test zones; and wherein, in operation, a labeled reagent is restrained in each of the control zones.