Diagnostic test system using measurement obtained from reference feature to modify operational parameter of reader

A diagnostic test system, comprising:

• a housing comprising a port constructed and arranged to receive a test strip, and configured to enclose a reader and a data analyzer;
• a test strip configured to be loaded into the port, the test strip comprising a flow path for a fluid sample, a sample receiving zone coupled to the flow path, a labeling zone comprising a label that specifically binds a target analyte, a detection zone coupled to the flow path and comprising a test region exposed for optical inspection and having an immobilized test reagent that specifically binds the target analyte, and at least one reference feature on a surface of the test strip;
• a reader comprising an illumination source configured to illuminate the test strip when the test strip is loaded in the port, the reader further comprising a detection system configured to detect the at least one reference feature and to obtain light intensity measurements from exposed regions of the test strip when the test strip is loaded in the port, the reader configured to illuminate a second test strip with an adjusted light intensity output of the illumination source when the second test strip is loaded in the port;
• and
• a data analyzer comprising software configured to (a) identify at least one light intensity measurement obtained from the test region based on at least one measurement obtained from the at least one reference feature, (b) determine an illumination source output measure from the at least one measurement obtained from the at least one reference feature, and (c) adjust a light intensity output of the illumination source when the determined illumination source output measure is different than a reference value,
• the at least one reference feature comprising a plurality of position markers aligned with respect to a region of interest in the test strip, the reader further configured to obtain from the plurality of position markers a series of light intensity measurements encoding positions along the flow path, the data analyzer comprising software configured to identify the at least one light intensity measurement obtained from the test region based on the positions of the series of light intensity measurements.