An automated quantitative assay device and a method of performing the quantitative assays

A method of automated quantitative assay comprising the steps of:

• a) obtaining a cassette device fully loaded with a plurality of beads and an antibody/conjugate cocktail;
• b) injecting a sample into a port at or upstream of a mixing chamber and filling the mixing chamber, the sample may be blood, saliva, serum, and urine;
• c) inserting the cassette device into a measuring instrument;
• d) activating a magnetic stirrer to mix the sample and the conjugate/antibody cocktail;
• e) pumping a neutral liquid or air into the mixing chamber causing the sample/conjugate/antibody mixture to be displaced and to flow round a fluid conduit immersing the beads;
• f) heating a liquid to approximately 37° C. to allow incubation;
• g) pumping the wash through the fluid conduit to remove all of the remaining sample not bound to the beads;
• h) repeating the wash cycles and purging the fluid conduit of the liquid by pumping air through the conduit between the wash cycles;
• i) measuring the chemiluminescence through a sensor and recording a result;
• j) ejecting the cassette device from the measuring instrument;
• and
• k) shutting down the device.