A microfluidic platform is presented which fully automates all incubation steps of a three-stage, multiplexed magnetic bead immunoassay, such as the Luminex xMAP technology. Magnetic actuation is used to transfer the microbeads between adjacent laminar flow streams, and extended incubation channels allow sufficient bead incubation times (1 to 30 min., commonly 5 min. per stage) to enable high-sensitivity. The incubation steps are completed in succession within the device with no operator interaction, and the continuous flow operation requires no external fluidic controls. This technology enables rapid automation of magnetic microbead assays, and has the potential to perform continuous concentration monitoring.
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