Lateral Flow Test Validity Detection via Colorimetric Control Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Farmers face challenges in determining the validity of results from lateral flow tests used to detect progesterone in animal milk samples, as these tests can be affected by moisture and high temperatures, leading to unreliable results.
Innovation Solution
A system is developed that includes a lateral flow stick with a sample pad, a conjugate pad with antibody-treated gold particles, and a porous membrane with test and control lines. A sensor captures images of the control line, and a control unit compares the current color tint with a reference color tint to determine the validity of the test, alerting the farmer if the lateral flow sticks are deteriorating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If lateral flow sticks are used for detecting progesterone in milk samples, then the test can be performed with high automation and provide important information about animal health, but the farmer cannot determine whether the test result is valid due to potential deterioration from moisture and high temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a control line on the lateral flow stick that reacts with control line reagents before the actual test is performed. This control line serves as a pre-established reference that automatically indicates whether the test strip is functioning properly, allowing the farmer to validate results without additional manual checks or steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The control line acts as an intermediary element between the test sample and the final result interpretation. It provides a mediating reference point that automatically indicates test validity, bridging the gap between the automated test process and the farmer's ability to assess result reliability without requiring specialized knowledge or additional equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lateral flow stick is exposed to moisture and high temperature, then the storage conditions become more practical for farm environments, but the lateral flow stick may deteriorate and produce false negative results
Solution Approach 1:
The control line performs a preliminary validation function that checks whether the lateral flow stick has been properly stored and is still functional before the actual progesterone measurement is interpreted. This preliminary check allows the system to accommodate practical storage conditions while maintaining detection accuracy by automatically identifying deteriorated strips.
Solution Approach 2:
The control line provides immediate feedback about the test strip's condition and validity. By comparing the control line reaction to expected results, the system automatically determines whether the strip has deteriorated due to moisture or temperature exposure, enabling the farmer to trust or disregard results based on this feedback without additional testing.
3Reliability
If the farmer manually checks the validity of each lateral flow test, then the reliability of results can be ensured, but this puts additional workload on the farmer
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral flow stick performs self-validation through the control line, which automatically indicates whether the strip is functioning properly. This eliminates the need for the farmer to manually check test validity, as the strip itself provides the validation information through the control line reaction, significantly reducing the farmer's workload while ensuring result reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control line utilizes color changes to communicate test validity information in a visually intuitive manner. The control line reagents produce a characteristic color reaction that the farmer can easily observe and interpret, providing clear feedback about strip functionality without requiring technical expertise or additional equipment, thus maintaining reliability while easing operation.
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
This system ensures the reliability of lateral flow tests by detecting any deterioration of the lateral flow sticks, thereby minimizing the risk of false results and reducing the workload for farmers in maintaining the test's validity.
Implementation Method 1
a porous membrane for receiving a capillary flow of the milk sample, from the conjugate pad
Implementation Method 2
a conjugate pad comprising antibody treated gold particles, which are dispersed into the milk sample when the milk sample is absorbed from the sample pad
Implementation Method 3
thereby brings the test line to change colour tint when exposed for milk comprising a progesterone level lower than a threshold limit
Implementation Method 4
a sensor configured to capture an image of the control line of the lateral flow stick
Data Source
AI summary
A system, a sensor and a control unit for determining validity of a result of a lateral flow test, whereby a lateral flow stick that has a sample pad, a conjugate pad having antibody treated gold particles, and a porous membrane for receiving a capillary flow of a milk sample. The porous membrane has a test line treated with a progesterone reference which binds antibody treated gold particles of the milk sample and thereby brings the test line to change colour tint when exposed for milk comprising a progesterone level lower than a threshold limit, and a control line treated with an antibody reference which binds antibody, and thereby brings the control line to change colour tint when exposed for milk comprising antibody treated gold particles.