Lateral Flow Chromatography Imaging for Quantitative Analyte Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lateral flow immunochromatographic tests provide semi-quantitative results due to subjective visual interpretation, influenced by factors like separation material, porosity, thickness, pH, and light conditions, making accurate quantification challenging, especially in point-of-care diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for analyzing transient digital images from lateral flow chromatography using a mobile device, focusing on the region of interest, correcting for alignment errors, and determining light properties to quantify analyte presence and content, utilizing reference images and a processor to analyze multiple images for accurate results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual readout of coloured lines is used to determine lateral flow test results, then the test can be performed and interpreted, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to subjective interpretation and multiple influencing factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual inspection system with a digital imaging system using a mobile device camera. The camera captures an image of the lateral flow test, and software algorithms automatically analyze the image to determine the presence and quantity of analyte, eliminating subjective visual interpretation while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a digital image as an intermediary between the lateral flow test and the user interpretation. Instead of directly observing coloured lines, the user interacts with a captured image that is then processed by automated algorithms, providing an objective bridge between the physical test and quantitative results.
2Device complexity
If conventional lateral flow tests are used with visual interpretation, then the device complexity remains low, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to subjectivity and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile device serve multiple functions: it acts as both the imaging device and the processing unit. The same mobile device that users already possess for communication is also used to capture test images and perform quantitative analysis, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment while improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the lateral flow test to self-analyze through automated image processing algorithms. The software automatically detects coloured lines, calculates their intensity, and determines analyte concentration without requiring user expertise in image analysis, making the complex measurement process transparent and automated.
3Measurement precision
If multiple transient digital images are analyzed with light property correction, then the measurement precision improves for analyte quantification, but the processing time and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary corrections for light properties and alignment errors before final analyte quantification. By pre-processing the images to correct for environmental factors and positioning variations, the system reduces the complexity of subsequent analysis steps and accelerates the overall processing time despite the additional initial computational burden.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise quantitative determination of analytes in lateral flow tests, reducing errors and variability, suitable for point-of-care diagnostics, telemedicine, and various environments, using standardization and calibration data for reliable results.
Implementation Method 1
examine the transient digital images for measures of light reflected from the region of interest
Implementation Method 2
The technology is based on a series of capillary beds such as pieces of porous filter papers or a porous material on a membrane which each have the capacity to transport fluid by capillary action
Implementation Method 3
The first bed—the sample pad—acts as a sponge and can accept an excess of sample fluid. The fluid migrates to a second bed—the conjugate pad—containing conjugate
Data Source
AI summary
An analyte testing system for quantifying the presence of an analyte in a speciment by lateral flow chromatography. The system comprises a test cassette (10) with a lateral flow chromatography and a mobile hand-held processor device (16) comprising a digital camera (16a), a source of light (16b) and a processor (16c), which software and hardware (16c) are configured to determine automatically the distance between camera and object and the measures of light in the region of interest of the lateral flow chromatography prior any retrieval of image data for further analysis and quantification of the visual signals.