Early determination of assay results

An assay result reading device for reading the result of an assay to detect the presence and/or amount of an analyte of interest and wherein the presence or absence, as appropriate, of the analyte of interest causes a reaction which leads to the accumulation of a signal in a time-dependent manner, the device comprising:

• means for determining the rate or amount of signal accumulation;
• means for comparing the determined rate or amount of signal accumulation with an upper threshold value;
• means for comparing the determined rate or amount of signal accumulation with a lower threshold value;
• and
• means for declaring the result of the assay if the determined rate or amount of signal accumulation exceeds the upper threshold value or is below the lower threshold value or at such time when it is determined that the rate or amount of signal accumulation will not exceed or is not likely to exceed the lower threshold value before the assay has been completed.

A method for determining the outcome of an assay, comprising:

• performing the assay to generate a signal representing the amount of an analyte or the rate of accumulation of an analyte;
• comparing the signal with a first threshold value;
• comparing the signal with a second threshold value;
• and
• declaring the result of the assay if the determined rate or amount of signal accumulation exceeds the upper threshold value or is below the lower threshold value.

A method of declaring the result or outcome of an assay to detect the presence and/or amount of an analyte of interest, the method comprising:

• performing the assay so as to cause the reaction which leads to the accumulation of a signal in a time-dependent manner;
• determining, typically before the reaction has reached equilibrium, the rate or amount of signal accumulation;
• comparing the determined rate or amount with an upper and a lower threshold value;
• and
• declaring the result or outcome of the assay if the determined rate or amount of signal accumulation exceeds the upper threshold value or is below the lower threshold value or at such time when it is determined that the rate or amount of signal accumulation will not exceed or is not likely to exceed the lower threshold value before the assay has been completed.