Solid-phase analytical elements for clinical analysis.

The technology of dry reagent chemistries is sufficiently advanced so that analytical elements can be developed for almost any clinical analyte. Each element contains all the reagents and separation steps necessary to conduct an analysis. This provides the user with several advantages. The ability to obtain several analyses from small sample volumes has always been recognised as desirable with neonatal and geriatric patients. With dry reagent chemistries, usually 10 microliters of serum or 30 microliters of whole blood are sufficient per analysis. Hence, a profile of 15 tests can be conducted with 150 microliters of serum. The waste of reconstituted but unused reagents is eliminated. This provides more efficient and cost-effective use of reagents. The reagents are stable and require little storage space. In addition, they are extremely convenient to use and require only a small amount of technical skill. This allows for expansion of clinical analyses into such decentralised settings as the hospital ward, physician's office and even the home.