Patent ID: 8053225

Claim:
An analytical system for determining one or more analytes, said analytical system comprising: an arrangement of sample compartments in a one-dimensional or a two-dimensional array, said arrangement including: a base plate; and a body combined with said base plate so as to form an array of recesses between said base plate and said body, wherein said array of recesses generates an array of flow cells fluidically sealed against one another, wherein each of said flow cells includes at least one inlet and at least one outlet, wherein, for each of said flow cells, said at least one outlet is joined with a reservoir fluidically connected with said flow cell, said reservoir being operable to receive liquid exiting from said at least one outlet of said flow cell, and a fluid uptake capacity of said reservoir is equal to or higher than a fluid uptake capacity of said recess forming said flow cell, and wherein said reservoir is formed as a recess in said body; means for supplying samples or reagents to the sample compartments of said arrangement; and at least one detector for detecting a change of a parameter due to the presence of the one or more analytes, wherein the parameter is one of an optical parameter, an electrical parameter, an electrochemical parameter, a thermal parameter, or a signal from radioactive radiation.