Portable apparatus for improved sample analysis

Abstract

The present invention is an improved apparatus for sample analysis. The apparatus employs an assay component containing a membrane having one or a plurality of analyte-specific binding agents attached thereto, a means for absorbing liquid, and a piston means for drawing analytes through said membrane into said means for absorbing liquid. The apparatus is configured to be portable and provide a detector for detecting binding of an analyte to an analyte-specific binding agent, a plurality of data acquisition components, and a computer for integrating, analyzing and storing the detected analyte specific binding and acquired data.

1 . An improved sample analysis apparatus of the type having a membrane with an analyte-specific binding agent attached thereto, a means for absorbing liquid, and a piston means for drawing analytes in a sample through the membrane into the means for absorbing liquid, the improvement comprising
 a detector for detecting analyte-specific binding to the analyte-specific binding agent,   a plurality of data acquisition components for acquiring data, and   a computer, wherein the computer integrates, analyzes and stores the detected analyte-specific binding and acquired data thereby providing improved sample analysis.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises one or a plurality of analyte-specific binding agents.