The present invention relates to an apparatus comprising a substrate
having at least one assay station. The at least one assay station has at
least a first assay station channel and at least a second assay station
channel and the first and second assay station channels each separately
being in communication with the at least one assay station. The apparatus
has an arrangement of at least first and second multipurpose channels in
communication with the first and second assay station channels,
respectively. The first multipurpose channel and first assay station
channel have internal surface characteristics conducive to conduction of
a sample solution therethrough. There is at least one sample fluid inlet
in communication with the at least first multipurpose channel, and at
least one isolation-medium inlet in communication with the at least first
and second multipurpose channels. The at least one second multipurpose
channel has an internal surface portion non-conducive to conduction of
said sample solution.