Encoded microcarriers, assay system using them and method for performing an assay

An assay system comprising

• a plurality of encoded microcarriers comprising a readable code for identifying the microcarrier, each said microcarrier comprising:
• a body having a detection surface to detect a chemical and/or biological reaction, and
• a plurality of spaced-apart spacing elements projecting outward from a periphery of the body, each spacing element having a distal end, wherein the respective distal ends of the plurality of spacing elements together collectively form a contacting surface that is in a plane substantially parallel to the detection surface, said contacting surface having an area size that is less than 20% of an area size of the detection surface,
• wherein said plurality of spacing elements are shaped such that, when the encoded microcarrier is laid on a flat plane with the detection surface and the contacting surface of the spacing element facing said flat plane, a gap exists between said flat plane and the detection surface,
• an assay device having at least a microfluidic channel shaped to accommodate a plurality of said encoded microcarriers, said microfluidic channel having at least an observation wall through which an assay is monitorable, wherein the spacing elements of each encoded microcarrier are shaped to ensure that, when said encoded microcarrier is introduced in said microfluidic channel with said detection surface facing said observation wall, a gap exists between said detection surface and said observation wall to allow a circulation of fluid in said gap.

A method for performing a chemical and/or biological assay comprising a step of using at least an encoded microcarrier comprising a readable code for identifying the microcarrier, said microcarrier comprising:

• a body having a detection surface to detect a chemical and/or biological reaction, and
• a plurality of spaced-apart spacing elements projecting outward from a periphery of the body, each spacing element having a distal end, wherein the respective distal ends of the plurality of spacing elements together collectively form a contacting surface that is in a plane substantially parallel to the detection surface, said contacting surface having an area size that is less than 20% of an area size of the detection surface,
• wherein said plurality of spacing elements are shaped such that, when the encoded microcarrier is laid on a flat plane with the detection surface and the contacting surface of the spacing element facing said flat plane, a gap exists between said flat plane and the detection surface,
• wherein a chemical and/or biological reaction is monitored on the detection surface of said encoded microcarrier.