Transmission-based optical detection systems
First Claim
1. An optical detection system for detecting the presence or quantity of an analyte residing in a test sample, said system comprising:
- an assay device that includes a chromatographic medium in communication with detection probes, said detection probes being capable of producing a detection signal;
an illumination source capable of providing electromagnetic radiation that causes said detection probes to produce said detection signal; and
a detector capable of registering said detection signal produced by said detection probes, wherein said illumination source and said detector are positioned on opposing sides of said assay device so that said chromatographic medium is positioned in the electromagnetic radiation path defined between said illumination source and said detector, said chromatographic medium being transmissive to said electromagnetic radiation and said detection signal, wherein said illumination source, said detector, or both, are positioned less than about 5 millimeters from said assay device.
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Abstract
A system that employs transmission-based detection techniques to determine the presence or concentration of an analyte within a test sample is provided. Specifically, the optical detection system contains a chromatographic-based assay device that is positioned in the electromagnetic radiation path defined between an illumination source and detector. To enhance the sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio of the system without significantly increasing costs, the distance between the illumination source and/or detector and the assay device is minimized. The illumination source and/or detector may also be positioned directly adjacent to the assay device. In addition, the system may be selectively controlled to reduce reliance on external optical components, such as optical filters or diffusers.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An optical detection system for detecting the presence or quantity of an analyte residing in a test sample, said system comprising:
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an assay device that includes a chromatographic medium in communication with detection probes, said detection probes being capable of producing a detection signal;
an illumination source capable of providing electromagnetic radiation that causes said detection probes to produce said detection signal; and
a detector capable of registering said detection signal produced by said detection probes, wherein said illumination source and said detector are positioned on opposing sides of said assay device so that said chromatographic medium is positioned in the electromagnetic radiation path defined between said illumination source and said detector, said chromatographic medium being transmissive to said electromagnetic radiation and said detection signal, wherein said illumination source, said detector, or both, are positioned less than about 5 millimeters from said assay device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An optical detection system for detecting the presence or quantity of an analyte residing in a test sample, said system comprising:
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an assay device that includes a porous membrane carried by a support, said porous membrane being in communication with detection probes, said detection probes being capable of producing a detection signal;
an illumination source capable of providing electromagnetic radiation that causes said detection probes to produce said detection signal; and
a detector capable of registering said detection signal produced by said detection probes, wherein said illumination source and said detector are positioned on opposing sides of said assay device so that said porous membrane is positioned in the electromagnetic radiation path defined between said illumination source and said detector, said porous membrane and said support being transmissive to said electromagnetic radiation and said detection signal, wherein said illumination source, said detector, or both, are positioned less than about 5 millimeters from said assay device. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification