Assay device having uniform flow around corners

Abstract

An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone containing a reagent material; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone having capture elements bound thereto; and a wicking zone in fluid communication with the capture zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone. The sample receiving zone, the reagent zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path and at least a part of the fluid flow path has a substrate and projections which extend substantially vertically from the substrate, wherein the projections have a height, cross-section and a distance between one another that defines a space between the projections capable of generating capillary flow parallel to the substrate surface. In addition, the fluid flow path having projections includes a corner section which changes the direction of the flow path. The projections in or around the corner section are modified to maintain the configuration of the flow front of the sample flowing through the flow path after the corner is substantially the same configuration as before the corner.