Reagents, methods and devices to prevent aggregation in particle based tests for the detection of multimeric target molecules

A method for preventing aggregation of detection particles in a test for detecting a multi-epitope target analyte comprising two or more similar or identical epitopes in a sample and/or for determining a concentration of said multi-epitope target analyte in the sample, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a detection particle;
• applying a blocking entity to the sample, the blocking entity configured to specifically bind to at least one epitope on said multi-epitope target analyte and block the at least one epitope from binding to the detection particle, the applying of the blocking entity to the sample including covering a majority of similar or identical epitopes on the multi-epitope target analyte with the blocking entity and leaving only less than the majority of the similar or identical epitopes on the multi-epitope target analyte unblocked;
• and
• applying a capture entity to the sample, the capture entity configured to specifically bind to a same or a similar epitope of said multi-epitope target analyte as the blocking entity, the capture entity being capable of interacting with the detection particle, wherein said detection particle is a magnetic particle;
• and
• wherein said magnetic particle is actuated by coils in a pulsed manner.