Distance-based quantitative analysis using a capillarity-based analytical device

Apparatus for capillarity-based, quantitative analysis of an analyte dissolved in a liquid, comprising:

• an elongated substrate effective for wicking said liquid;
• a liquid repelling material applied to said substrate such that an elongated path is defined for confining said liquid to a defined elongated path having a first end along said substrate, forming thereby a capillary flow path into which at least one colorimetric reagent effective for reacting with said analyte, is deposited;
• a syringe for introducing a chosen portion of said liquid into capillary flow path of the elongated path at a location in the region of the first end thereof;
• whereby said liquid moves along the capillary flow path of the elongated path away from the first end by capillary action and, as the flowing analyte reacts with said at least one reagent, color develops along the flow path to a distance from the location of introduction thereof where all of said analyte is reacted;
• and
• a measurement scale printed on said substrate for measuring the distance between the region of the first end of the elongated path and the location of where all of said analyte is reacted.

Apparatus for capillarity-based, quantitative analysis of an analyte dissolved in a liquid, comprising:

• an elongated substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, effective for wicking said liquid;
• a liquid repelling material applied to said substrate such that an elongated path is defined for confining said liquid to a defined elongated path having a first end along said substrate, forming thereby a capillary flow path into which at least one colorimetric reagent effective for reacting with said analyte, is deposited;
• a syringe for introducing a chosen portion of said liquid into capillary flow path of the elongated path at a location in the region of the first end thereof;
• whereby said liquid moves along the capillary flow path of the elongated path away from the first end by capillary action and, as the flowing analyte reacts with said at least one reagent, color develops along the flow path to a distance from the location of introduction thereof where all of said analyte is reacted;
• a first transparent liquid impervious layer in contact with the top surface of said substrate, and a second liquid impervious layer in contact with the bottom surface of said substrate, said first layer and said second layer forming a seal around said substrate, and wherein said first layer has an orifice therein in the region of the first end of the elongated path opening to said substrate;
• and
• a direct-reading measurement scale printed on said first liquid impervious layer for measuring the distance between the region of the first end of the elongated path and the location where all of said analyte is reacted.