The present invention provides a method and device for processing,
sampling, and diluting a fluid and for detecting an analyte within the
processed, sampled, and diluted fluid. In the method and device for
processing, sampling, and diluting a fluid, an amount of fluid to be
processed, sampled, and diluted is accepted by a porous membrane; a
portion of the membrane saturated with the fluid is isolated thereby
defining a predetermined sample volume of fluid; and the predetermined
fluid volume sample is then released from the isolated membrane with a
specified quantity of a fluid diluent to provide a diluted fluid sample.
Analytes within the diluted fluid sample are detected by test strips in
fluid contact with the diluted fluid sample.