Use of magnetic nanoparticles for the detection and quantitation of analyte(s)

A device for detecting an analyte in a sample, comprising

• a passive microfluidic device comprising a sample insertion area, a non-sample well zone, and a sample well zone located therebetween, the sample well zone comprising sample wells, and channels that juncture at the sample wells, the non-sample well zone having the channels and absent any sample wells,
• one or more magnets adapted to generate a magnetic field in the sample well, and
• a magnetic field sensor located at the sample well for measuring changes over time in the magnetic field proximate the sample well, and
• wherein the one or more magnets are adapted to control a position of magnetisable particles relative to the magnetic field sensor and the magnetic field sensor is adapted for use such that the magnetic field sensor can detect a change in the magnetic field based on the net movement of the magnetisable particles in relation to the magnetic field sensor, and
• wherein at least one of the sample wells junctures with three or more of the channels to increase flow of the sample towards the magnetic field sensor located at the sample well.