Diagnostic Devices

High-volume enhanced lateral flow assay (LFA) cassette prototype. This device enables more sensitive malaria screening by concentrating biomarkers from human blood samples with volumes 10-20x larger than conventional LFAs are capable of handling. The sliding membrane holder is initially positioned under the sample port where the blood sample is applied. Biomarkers are captured by the functionalized porous membrane while excess sample matrix flows through and is absorbed by a stack of wicking pads. The sliding membrane holder is then moved under the other port where elution buffer is applied. Any captured biomarkers are released from the membrane into a concentrated solution which is funneled to the sample pad of the malaria test strip. The test and control lines then develop and can be interpreted the same way as a conventional LFA. The enhanced cassette requires only one additional protocol step (sliding the membrane holder) compared to conventional LFAs and retains a familiar form factor.

High-volume enhanced vertical flow-through assay device prototype. This device enables more sensitive schistosomiasis screening by concentrating biomarkers from human urine samples with volumes up to 100x larger than conventional LFAs are capable of handling. The detection conjugate cap is initially inserted in the upper casing. The urine sample is applied and allowed to flow through a membrane in the bottom of the cap which releases dried conjugate into solution and while filtering out any solids. After the sample mixture has flowed through the test membrane and been absorbed by the stacked wicking pads, the cap is removed revealing the test membrane. The test and control spots can then be interpreted the same way as a conventional LFA. The enhanced cassette requires only one additional protocol step (removing the detection conjugate cap) compared to conventional LFAs.