Patent ID: 7371583

Claim:
A method for detecting the presence or absence of an analyte in a plurality of samples comprising: a. providing a testing device comprising: i) a sample application matrix for receiving a plurality of samples to be tested for said analyte and for combining said samples into a single sample containing analyte prior to testing for said analyte, said matrix comprising a plurality of sample application sites located laterally from a converging site of said sample application matrix, wherein said converging site is located between said sample application sites of said sample application matrix, and a plurality of solvent application sites located further laterally from said converging site such that when solvent is added to said solvent application sites, solvent will contact sample at said sample application sites and then will flow analyte towards said converging site, thereby forming a single sample containing analyte, and ii) a testing element comprising a reagent for detecting said analyte; said converging site of said sample application matrix being in liquid conducting communication with said testing element; b. applying said samples to said sample application sites of the matrix; c. adding solvent to said solvent application sites in an amount sufficient to contact sample at said sample application sites and flow analyte in the samples to said converging site, thereby forming a single sample containing analyte from said plurality of samples, wherein said single sample at said converging site traverses into said testing element; and d. detecting the presence or absence of said analyte in said plurality of samples using said testing element.