Reading device, method, and system for conducting lateral flow assays

A system for conducting a lateral flow assay to detect the quantity of analyte residing in a test liquid, the system comprising:

• (a) a probe-analyte conjugate capable of generating a detectable signal;
• (b) a membrane strip, the membrane strip comprising a detection zone, the detection zone having deposited thereon a first capture reagent, wherein the first capture reagent is configured for attaching to probe-analyte conjugates to immobilize said probe-analyte conjugates to form a sandwich complex within the detection zone;
• and
• (c) a reading device, the reading device being configured to detect an assay result from the membrane strip, the reader device including a housing having an exterior and an interior and a receiving port within the housing for admitting the membrane directly from the exterior of the reader housing to the interior of the reader housing, the receiving port being configured with a light barrier structure for minimizing the introduction of stray light into the reader, wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation and the sensors are positioned within the reading mechanism such that when the membrane strip is admitted into the receiving port, the electromagnetic radiation impacts the detection zone upon the membrane strip prior to impacting the sensor.

A method of conducting a lateral flow assay to detect the quantity of analyte residing in a test liquid, the method comprising:

• (a) providing probe-conjugates upon a membrane strip, the probe-conjugates being configured for generating a detectable signal,
• (b) providing an analyte on the membrane strip,
• (c) attaching the probe-conjugate to the analyte to form a probe-analyte conjugate complex;
• (d) wherein the membrane strip is configured for mobilizing a test liquid containing probes and probe-analyte conjugate complexes, the membrane strip comprising a detection zone,
• (e) providing in the detection zone a first capture reagent, wherein the first capture reagent is immobilized and is configured for attaching to the probe-analyte conjugate complexes to immobilize said probe-analyte conjugate complexes by forming a sandwich complex within the detection zone;
• (f) providing a reading device, the reading device being configured to detect an assay result from the membrane strip, the reading device including a housing having an exterior and an interior and a receiving port with a light barrier structure, the receiving port being lifted within the housing for admitting the membrane directly from the exterior of the reader housing to the interior of the reader housing;
• (g) blocking ambient light from reaching the membrane detection zone, thereby increasing sensitivity;
• (h) wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation and the sensors are positioned such that when the membrane strip is admitted into the receiving port, electromagnetic radiation impacts the detection zone upon the membrane strip, and then travels to the sensor.