Lateral flow test

In principle, any colored particle can be used, however latex (blue color) or nanometer sized particles[9] of gold (red color) are most commonly used. The gold particles are red in color due to localized surface plasmon resonance. Fluorescent[10] or magnetic[11][12] labelled particles can also be used, however these require the use of an electronic reader to assess the test result.

Sandwich assays are generally used for larger analytes because they tend to have more space for binding sites.[13] As the sample migrates through the assay it first encounters a conjugate, usually colloidal gold, which is labelled with antibodies specific  to the  target  analyte. They bind to the target analyte within  the sample  the  conjugate antibodies  will  bind  reach the test line. The test line contains antibodies specific to the target, which bind to the first set of conjugate molecules from the pad. The test line then presents a visual change to confirm the presence of the target molecules. The majority of sandwich assays also have a control line which will appear whether or not the target analyte is present to ensure proper function of the lateral flow pad.

The  rapid, low-cost  sandwich-based  assay is  commonly  used for  home  pregnancy tests  which  detects for  human  chorionic gonadotropin, hCG, in the urine of women.

Competitive assays are generally used for smaller analytes since smaller analytes have less binding sites[14]. The sample first encounters colored particles labelled with the target analyte or an analogue. The test line contains antibodies to the target/its analogue. molecules. Unbound analyte will block the binding of these molecules, meaning that a visual marker show. This differs from sandwich assays in that no band means the analyte is present.

Most tests are intended to operate on a purely qualitative basis. However it is possible to measure the intensity of the test line to determine the quantity of analyte in the sample. Handheld diagnostic devices known as lateral flow readers are used by several companies to provide a fully quantitative assay result. By utilizing unique wavelengths of light for illumination in conjunction with either CMOS or CCD detection technology, a signal rich image can be produced of the actual test lines. Using image processing algorithms specifically designed for a particular test type and medium, line intensities can then be correlated with analyte concentrations. One such handheld lateral flow device platform is made by Detekt Biomedical L.L.C..[15] Alternative non-optical techniques are also able to report quantitative assays results. One such example is a magnetic immunoassay (MIA) in the lateral flow test form also allows for getting a quantified result. Reducing variations in the capillary pumping of the sample fluid is another approach to move from qualitative to quantitative results. Recent work has, for example, demonstrated capillary pumping with a constant flow rate independent from the liquid viscosity and surface energy.[6][16][17][18]

Mobile phones have demonstrated to have a strong potential for the quantification in lateral flow assays, not only by using the camera of the device, but also the light sensor or the energy supplied by the mobile phone battery.[19]

While not strictly necessary, most tests will incorporate a second line which contains an antibody that picks up free latex/gold in order to confirm the test has operated correctly.

Time to obtain the test result is a key driver for these products. Tests can take as little as a few minutes to develop. Generally there is a trade off between time and sensitivity – so more sensitive tests may take longer to develop. The other key advantage of this format of test compared to other immunoassays is the simplicity of the test – typically requiring little or no sample or reagent preparation.

This is a highly competitive area and a number of people claim patents in the field, most notably Alere (formerly Inverness Medical Innovations, now owned by Abbott) who own patents[20] originally filed by Unipath. A group of competitors are challenging the validity of the patents.[21] A number of other companies also hold patents in this arena.

Lateral flow assays have a wide array of applications and can test a variety of samples like urine, blood, saliva, sweat, serum, and other fluids. They are currently used by clinical laboratories, hospitals, and physicians for quick and accurate tests for specific target molecules and gene expression. Other uses for lateral flow assays are food and environmental safety and veterinary medicine for chemicals such as diseases and toxins.[22] Lateral flow tests are also commonly used for disease identification such as ebola, but the most common lateral flow test is the home pregnancy test.