WASH PROCESS FOR A SAMPLE BEING ANALYZED

A method for removing undesired component(s) from bound desired component(s) in an analysis including: (a) providing a container having a desired component bound thereto and an undesired component; (b) dispensing wash fluid in the container at a first level sufficient to contac t at least a portion of the bound desired component; (c) oscillating wash fluid level in the container; and (d) removing at least a portion of the wash flui d from the container. Also described is a method for removing undesired components from bound desired components in an analysis that includes steps (a) and (b) above; (c) removing the wash fluid from the container; (d) dispensing a wash fluid in the container at a subsequent level that is lower than the first level and sufficient to wash a portion of the bound desired substrate; and (e) removing wash fluid from the container. In a preferred embodiment the desired component is an analyte being measured. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for removing an undesired component from a bound desired component in an analysis: and (c) removing a surface portion of fluid containing a portion of the undesired component.