Tricorder reflectometer for lateral flow immunological tests

A reflectometer, comprising:

• a case;
• a first reading head comprising first scanning optics configured to illuminate a first control zone of a test strip and receive first light from the first control zone;
• a second reading head comprising second scanning optics configured to illuminate a text zone of the test strip and receive second light from the test zone;
• a third reading head comprising third scanning optics configured to illuminate a second control zone of the test strip and receive third light from the second control zone;
• and
• a microprocessor in operable communication with the first reading head, the second reading head, and the third reading head,
• wherein the microprocessor is configured to:
• receive and analyze a first analog signal, a second analog signal, and a third analog signal corresponding to the first light, the second light, and the third light, respectively;
• and determine a first level of an analyte in the first control zone based on the first light, a second level of the analyte in the test zone based on the second light, a third level of the analyte in the second control zone based on the third light, and an overall level of the analyte in the test solution based on the first level, the second level, and the third level,
• wherein the first reading head comprises a first support disposed in the case, a first light source disposed on the support, and a first light receiver disposed on the support,
• wherein the second reading head comprises a second support disposed in the case, a second light source disposed on the support, and a second light receiver disposed on the support,
• wherein the third reading head comprises a third support, a third light source disposed on the support, and a third light receiver disposed on the support,
• wherein the first light source and the first light receiver are disposed on the first support such that a first angle between a path of light emitted from the first light source and a path of light received by the first light receiver is in a range of 35° to 55°,
• wherein the second light source and the second light receiver are disposed on the second support such that a second angle between a path of light emitted from the second light source and a path of light received by the second light receiver is in a range of 35° to 55°,
• wherein the third light source and the third light receiver are disposed on the third support such that a third angle between a path of light emitted from the third light source and a path of light received by the third light receiver is in a range of 35° to 55°,
• wherein the first light source is a light emitting diode (LED),
• wherein the second light source is an LED,
• wherein the third light source is an LED,
• wherein the first light receiver is a phototransistor,
• wherein the second light receiver is a phototransistor,
• wherein the third light receiver is a phototransistor.
• wherein the first reading head further comprises at least one first light-focusing device disposed on the first support,
• wherein the second reading head further comprises at least one second light-focusing device disposed on the second support,
• wherein the third reading head further comprises at least one third light-focusing device disposed on the third support,
• wherein the at least one first light-focusing device comprises at least one of a light piper and a collimator,
• wherein the at least one second light-focusing device comprises at least one of a light piper and a collimator,
• wherein the at least one third light-focusing device comprises at least one of a light piper and a collimator,
• wherein the microprocessor converts the first analog signal, the second analog signal, and the third analog signal to a first digital signal, a second digital signal, and a third digital signal, respectively, and compares the first digital signal, the second digital signal, and the third digital signal to at least one look-up table to determine the first level of the analyte, the second level of the analyte, and the third level of the analyte based on the first digital signal, the second digital signal, and the third digital signal, respectively,
• wherein the case comprises a slot at a first end thereof, the slot being configured to receive a cassette comprising the test strip,
• wherein the case comprises a baffle board mounted within the case and configured to ensure that a distance from the first reading head to the test strip, a distance from the second reading head to the test strip, and a distance from the third reading head to the test strip is consistent across different test strips,
• wherein the baffle board comprises:
• a plurality of legs respectively mounted to a plurality of posts within the case;
• at least one stopper slot configured to receive at least one stop of a cassette comprising the test strip;
• and
• a plurality of viewing slots configured to align with the first control zone, the test zone, the second control zone, the first reading head, the second reading head, and the third reading head,
• wherein the reflectometer further comprises a spring clip disposed in the case, wherein the spring clip is configured to hold in place a cassette comprising the test strip,
• wherein the test solution is a biological test solution,
• wherein the case comprises a display screen in operable communication with the microprocessor and configured to display the overall level of the analyte,
• wherein the reflectometer further comprises at least one interface connector incorporated in the case and configured to connect to at least one external device.
• wherein reflectometer further comprises a temperature sensor in operable communication with the microprocessor and configured to measure a temperature within the case and generate an output signal indicative of a temperature of at least one of the first reading head, the second reading head, and the third reading head,
• wherein the microprocessor is configured to utilize the output signal to compensate for temperature interference when determining the overall analyte level,
• wherein the reflectometer further comprises a background light receiver in operable communication with the microprocessor and configured to receive reflected light from an area of the test strip and generate a reflected light analog signal,
• wherein the microprocessor is configured to utilize the reflected light analog signal to compensate for background light when determining the overall analyte level, and
• wherein the first level of the analyte in the first control zone and the third level of the analyte in the second control zone are utilized to establish a high end standard and a low end standard, respectively, to which the second level of the analyte in the test zone is compared.