Lateral Flow Test System Wetting Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lateral flow test readers often fail to provide accurate results due to errors caused by incorrect sampling, over-sampling, or faulty migration of the liquid sample, leading to incomplete or unreliable test outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A lateral flow test system comprising an optical reader and a computer system that uses a video camera to acquire digital images of the porous test strip, calculating wetting progress and detecting errors by analyzing pixel data, ensuring accurate and complete wetting of the test strip without bypassing any part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visual reading or simple optical reading is used, then the device is simple and easy to use, but the reliability of test results is insufficient due to undetected sampling errors and migration faults
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of the lateral flow cartridge test run by monitoring wetting progress through pixel data analysis before the actual test completion. This preliminary action detects sampling errors, over-sampling, and migration faults early in the process, ensuring test validity before final result interpretation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously captures images of the porous test strip during liquid migration and provides real-time feedback through pixel data analysis. The processor compares pixel values across multiple images to detect wetting progress and identify deviations from expected flow patterns, enabling corrective validation decisions.
2Measurement precision
If traditional optical reading is used, then the device complexity is low, but measurement precision is insufficient to detect sampling errors and migration faults
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical or simple optical reading methods with a digital imaging system using a video camera and computer-based pixel analysis. This substitution enables precise detection of wetting progress and flow patterns through digital image processing, significantly improving measurement precision for detecting sampling errors and migration faults.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies (images) of the porous test strip at multiple time points during liquid migration. These image copies are then analyzed through pixel data comparison to precisely track wetting progress and detect anomalies, providing high-precision measurement without direct physical intervention.
3Productivity
If quick visual inspection is used, then the testing speed is fast, but the productivity is reduced due to increased invalid tests and repeat measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate feedback on test validity through automated analysis of wetting progress and flow patterns. By continuously monitoring pixel data during liquid migration, the system quickly identifies invalid tests due to sampling errors or migration faults, allowing for immediate retesting and reducing time loss from invalid results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-validation by automatically analyzing its own test run data through pixel comparison and wetting progress monitoring. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual validation and reduces dependency on operator skill, increasing productivity by quickly identifying and flagging invalid tests without requiring repeat measurements.
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
The system provides highly accurate and reliable results by validating the test run and detecting faults early, reducing the number of invalid tests and ensuring high-quality outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a video camera configured for acquiring a series of digital images comprising said exposed zone of said porous strip
Implementation Method 2
an illumination arrangement adapted for illuminating said at least one exposed zone of said porous strip
Implementation Method 3
After application of a liquid sample to the sampling zone, the liquid sample migrates along the length of the test strip
Data Source
AI summary
A lateral flow test system having an optical reader, a lateral flow cartridge and a computer system is provided. The lateral flow cartridge includes a porous test strip with a reading window into the porous test strip exposing an exposed zone of the porous strip. The optical reader has a reader housing and a slot for inserting the cartridge into the reader housing. The optical reader has an illumination arrangement adapted for illuminating the exposed zone of the porous strip when the cartridge is inserted into the slot. The optical reader further has a video camera configured for acquiring a series of digital images comprising the exposed zone of the porous strip. The computer system receives sets of pixel data representing the plurality of consecutive digital images and calculates wetting progress along the length of the exposed zone of the porous strip based on the sets of pixels data.