Patent ID: 9664673
Date: 2017-05-30
CPC Classifications: B01L,G01N

Claim:
1. A reading system adapted for use with an apparatus, wherein the apparatus is suitable for use in performing an assay to detect the presence of an analyte or analytes in a test sample, the apparatus comprising: a housing defining a slot for receiving a sample collector, the sample collector comprising a swab with a sample; the housing further defining an incubation chamber containing or configured to receive a reagent, and an aperture permitting liquid communication between said slot and said incubation chamber; a capsule containing a buffer liquid, the capsule being sealed by an openable lid, and the capsule being connected to the housing in such relation with said slot and said aperture that insertion of the sample collector into the slot causes the lid to open releasing the buffer liquid into the slot under pressure to communicate a portion of the sample to the incubation chamber via the aperture; the apparatus further comprising: one or more test elements comprising one or more lateral flow test strips; a substantially liquid tight sealing member separating said incubation chamber and said test element(s); and an actuation mechanism operable to open said substantially liquid tight sealing member thereby bringing at least a portion of each test element into liquid communication with said incubation chamber; the reading system comprising: a housing defining a slot for receiving the apparatus; an actuator configured to operate the actuation mechanism of the apparatus; an optical reading mechanism capable of spatially resolving an optical signal and arranged to detect changes of the one or more lateral flow test strips; and a mechanism arranged to detect an angle at which the reading system is held.