System and Method for Optical Detection Using Capillary Action

• US 20150079693A1
• Filed: 04/03/2013
• Published: 03/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RedXDefense LLC
• Original Assignee: RedXDefense LLC
• Inventors: Ghodousi, Arman, Ericksen, Gregory Scott, Montgomery, Daniel Douglas, Kotowicz, Jacek, Toal, Sarah Josepha, McVeigh, Thomas Emory
• Granted Patent: US 9,435,744 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/169
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0612 Optical scan of the deposits G01N15/0625 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/075 by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/0096 Investigating consistence of powders, dustability, dustiness
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8483 Investigating reagent band test-element handling not specific to a test method G01N33/4875; analytical elements specific to chemical analysis of biological material G01N33/52; autometer with reagent band G01N35/04
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/062 LED's
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/22 Fuels, explosives liquid hydrocarbons G01N33/28

Abstract

A product and method for the detection of one or more analytes in a collected sample employs capillary action in a sample card containing a sample substrate, at least one test capsule and an absorbent pad. The absorbent pad absorbs the contents of the test capsule and delivers the same to the sample substrate, with the contents of the test capsule chemically reacting with at least one detection reagent to establish an optical indicator for the analyte(s). The sample card can be automatically tested within a reader device which supplies one or more light sources, records and processes an optical signal produced by the chemical reaction, and outputs a test result.

Claims

1. An analyte detection system comprising:

a. a sample card including;

a housing,

a sample substrate onto which a sample is collected,

at least one test capsule containing a liquid to be delivered to a collected sample,

an absorbent pad to collect the liquid from the at least one test capsule after the liquid is released and to deliver the liquid to the sample substrate,

one or more detection reagents contained in at least one of the at least one test capsule, the sample substrate, and the absorbent pad, and

an identifying mark indicating a sample card type; and

b. a reader device including;

a housing with a card carrier to receive the sample card,

a door shiftably mounted relative to the housing and the card carrier between opened and closed positions,

a card rupture mechanism configured to release the liquid in the test capsule after a sample card has been inserted into the card carrier and the door is subsequently placed in the closed position,

a light assembly,

an optical reader configured to;

read the identifying mark in indicating the sample card type such that the system conducts an analysis protocol specific to the sample card type, and read an optical signal produced by reaction of the collected sample and the one or more detection reagents,

a signal processor for determining a test result based on the optical signal, and

a communication system for conveying the test result.

2. The analyte detection system of claim 1, wherein the analyte is selected from the group consisting of explosives, narcotics, gunshot residue, organophosphate reagents, and toxic industrial chemicals.

3. The analyte detection system of claim 1, wherein the sample card contains two test capsules containing different solutions that mix prior to reaching the sample substrate.

4. The analyte detection system of claim 1, wherein the sample card contains two test capsules and two absorbent pads to deliver two liquids to separate portions of the sample substrate, such that two separate analyses can be conducted on different portions of the sample substrate.

5. The analyte detection system of claim 1, wherein the sample card further contains a control area.

6. The analyte detection system of claim 1, wherein the identifying mark is constituted by a bar code, a serial number, a printed graphic or a color coding which is recognizable by the optical reader, or a notch or mechanical key which can be sensed by the reader device.

7. The analyte detection system of claim 1, wherein the sample card further contains a card cover to prevent contact with the sample substrate before sample collection and after analysis.

8. The analyte detection system of claim 1, wherein the reader device further contains at least one of a heater, a drying fan, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and an ambient light sensor.

9. The analyte detection system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one sensor for detecting that the sample card is coupled to the reader device and the door has assumed the closed position.

10. The analyte detection system of claim 1, wherein the light assembly contains one or more of ultraviolet and white light sources selected from the group consisting of:

light emitting diodes, cold cathode fluorescent lamps, and hot cathode fluorescent lamps.

11. The analyte detection system of claim 1, wherein the optical reader comprises a camera for establishing one or more digital images as the optical signal.

13. The analyte detection system of claim 1, wherein the reader device further includes data storage and means to access at least one of remote and local stored records.

12. (canceled)

14. An analyte detection system comprising:

a sample card including;

a housing,

a sample substrate onto which a sample is collected,

at least one test capsule containing a liquid to be delivered to a collected sample,

an absorbent pad to collect the liquid from the at least one test capsule after the liquid is released and to deliver the liquid to the sample substrate,

one or more detection reagents contained in at least one of the at least one test capsule, the sample substrate, and the absorbent pad, and

an identifying mark indicating a sample card type.

15. The analyte detection system of claim 14, wherein the sample card contains two test capsules containing different solutions that mix prior to reaching the sample substrate.

16. The analyte detection system of claim 14, wherein the sample card contains two test capsules and two absorbent pads to deliver two liquids to separate portions of the sample substrate, such that two separate analyses can be conducted on different portions of the sample substrate.

17. The analyte detection system of claim 14, wherein the sample card further contains a control area.

18-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A method of detecting an analyte comprising:

collecting an unknown sample on a sample substrate of a sample card with an identifying mark indicating a specific analyte or group of analytes for which the sample card was designed, said sample card containing at least one test capsule containing a liquid, and an absorbent pad, wherein at least one of the sample substrate, the at least one test capsule and the absorbent pad contains detection reagents;

coupling the sample card to a card carrier of a reader device;

performing a detection cycle including;

releasing the liquid of the at least one test capsule, whereby the liquid dissolves the detection reagents contained in the sample card and delivers said reagents to the unknown sample, causing a chemical reaction between the unknown sample and the detection reagents to occur;

reading an identifying mark on the sample card and conducting an analysis protocol specific to the sample card; and

assessing an optical signal produced by the chemical reaction of the unknown sample and the detection reagents in establishing a test result; and

communicating the test result.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein coupling the sample card to the reader device is accomplished by inserting the sample card into the card carrier which is disposed between a housing and a door of the reader device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the detection cycle is automatically initiated upon the reader device sensing that the sample card is coupled to the card carrier and the door is subsequently closed.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the liquid is released by rupturing the at least one test capsule by applying pressure to the at least one test capsule.

24-44. -44. (canceled)