Methods and systems for multiplex assays

A kit for conducting a multiplex assay comprising:

• a) a set of beads, wherein each bead in the set comprises
• (1) a substantially transparent polymer layer having a first surface and a second surface, the first and the second surfaces being parallel to each other;
• (2) a substantially non-transparent polymer layer, wherein the substantially non-transparent polymer layer is affixed to the first surface of the substantially transparent polymer layer and encloses a center portion of the substantially transparent polymer layer, and wherein the substantially non-transparent polymer layer comprises a two-dimensional shape representing an analog code identifier;
• and wherein the set of beads comprises (i) at least one bead with an analog code identifier that is recognized by an imaging processor as a specific assay, specific analyte, manufacturing lot, individual, locational identifier, or calibration signal, and (ii) a plurality of additional beads, wherein each bead of the plurality of beads comprises a capture agent that specifically binds to an analyte, wherein the capture agent is immobilized on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substantially transparent polymer layer in at least the center portion of the substantially transparent polymer layer, and wherein each bead of the plurality of beads comprises an analog code identifier corresponding to the capture agent;
• and
• b) a signal-emitting entity capable of directly or indirectly binding to the analyte or capture agent.

A method for conducting a multiplex assay comprising the steps of:

• a) contacting a sample with beads in an assay system, wherein each bead in the system comprises a substantially non-transparent polymer layer having a first surface and a second surface, the first and the second surfaces being parallel to each other, wherein an outline of the substantially non-transparent polymer layer comprises a two-dimensional shape that represents an analog code identifier;
• wherein the system comprises (i) at least one bead with an analog code identifier that is recognized by an imaging processor as a specific assay, specific analyte, manufacturing lot, individual, locational identifier, or calibration signal, and (ii) a plurality of beads, wherein each bead of the plurality of beads comprises a capture agent that specifically binds to an analyte, wherein the capture agent is immobilized on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substantially transparent polymer layer in at least the center portion of the substantially transparent polymer layer, and wherein each bead of the plurality of beads comprises an analog code identifier corresponding to the capture agent;
• and
• simultaneously or sequentially, in any order:
• b) identifying the identifier that is recognized by the imaging processor as the specific assay;
• and
• c) detecting the binding of the analyte in the sample by analyzing the binding of the analyte to the capture agent immobilized on the surface of the bead based on the identification of the analog code identifier corresponding to the capture agent.

A kit for conducting a multiplex assay comprising:

• a) a set of beads, wherein each bead in the set comprises a substantially non-transparent polymer layer having a first surface and a second surface, the first and the second surfaces being parallel to each other, wherein an outline of the substantially non-transparent polymer layer comprises a two-dimensional shape that represents an analog code identifier;
• and wherein the set of beads comprises (i) at least one bead with an analog code identifier that is recognized by an imaging processor as a specific assay, specific analyte, manufacturing lot, individual, locational identifier, or calibration signal, and (ii) a plurality of additional beads, wherein each bead of the plurality of beads comprises a capture agent that specifically binds to an analyte immobilized on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substantially transparent polymer layer in at least the center portion of the substantially transparent polymer layer, and wherein each bead of the plurality of beads comprises an analog code identifier corresponding to the capture agent;
• and
• b) a signal-emitting entity capable of directly or indirectly binding to the analyte or capture agent.