Photothermal spectroscopy assay readers, and related assay kits and methods
AssigneeTokitae LLC
InventorsMatthew P. Horning, Kevin Paul Flood Nichols, Benjamin K. Wilson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a photothermal spectroscopy assay reader including a light source configured to emit light in the red range of the light spectrum. Methods of operating such photothermal spectroscopy assay readers are also disclosed. Assay kits including a lateral flow assay and a photothermal spectroscopy assay reader configured to read the photothermal spectroscopy assay reader are also disclosed.
Claims29
A photothermal spectroscopy assay reader for detecting a presence of an analyte in a sample disposed in a lateral flow assay, the photothermal spectroscopy assay reader comprising:
- a sample holder configured to receive a lateral flow assay having a test region;
- at least one lateral flow assay disposed on the sample holder, the at least one lateral flow assay including:
- a sample pad configured to receive a sample;
- a conjugate pad including a conjugate material, wherein the conjugate material is configured to bind to a selected analyte when the selected analyte is present in the sample, and the conjugate material is selected to absorb more energy from a light source emitting light exhibiting an average wavelength of about 600 nm to about 750 nm than the sample when the lateral flow assay is exposed to the light, the conjugate material including thermally-responsive indicator nanoparticles, the thermally responsive nanoparticles including cellulose nanobeads;
- and
- a test region including a collection material and a top layer of the lateral flow assay;
- at least one light source configured to emit light having an average wavelength of about 600 nm to about 750 nm to be received by the test region of the lateral flow assay;
- and
- at least one thermal sensor configured to detect at least a thermal gradient from the test region of the lateral flow assay;
- wherein the thermally-responsive indicator nanoparticles absorb at least 1.25 times more energy than the sample and a top layer of the lateral flow assay.
A method of using a photothermal spectroscopy assay reader to determine a presence of an analyte in a lateral flow assay, the method comprising:
- receiving one or more signals indicating the lateral flow assay is present in a sample holder of the photothermal spectroscopy assay reader, wherein the lateral flow assay includes a test region and thermally-responsive indicator nanoparticles, the thermally-responsive indicator nanoparticles including cellulose nanobeads;
- emitting light from a light source that is received by the test region of the lateral flow assay, wherein the light exhibits an average wavelength of about 600 nm to about 750 nm;
- and
- responsive to emitting the light, detecting, with a thermal sensor, at least a thermal gradient from the test region of the lateral flow assay;
- wherein the thermally-responsive indicator nanoparticles absorb at least 1.25 times more energy than the sample and a top layer of the lateral flow assay.
An assay kit, comprising:
- a lateral flow assay including,
- a sample pad configured to receive a sample;
- a conjugate pad including a conjugate material, wherein the conjugate material is configured to bind to a selected analyte when the selected analyte is present in the sample, and the conjugate material is selected to absorb more energy from a light source emitting light exhibiting an average wavelength of about 600 nm to about 750 nm than the sample when the lateral flow assay is exposed to the light, the conjugate material including thermally-responsive indicator nanoparticles, the thermally responsive nanoparticles including cellulose nanobeads;
- and
- a test region including a collection material and a top layer of the lateral flow assay;
- and
- a photothermal spectroscopy assay reader including,
- a sample holder configured to receive the lateral flow assay;
- the light source configured to emit the light exhibiting the average wavelength of about 600 nm to about 750 nm to be received by the test region of the lateral flow assay;
- and
- a thermal sensor positioned and configured to detect at least a temperature gradient from the test region of the lateral flow assay;
- wherein the thermally-responsive indicator nanoparticles absorb at least 1.25 times more energy than the sample and a top layer of the lateral flow assay.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.