Patent ID: 7796266
Filing Date: 2010-09-14
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
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 porous membrane laminated directly to an optically diffuse film with an optically transparent adhesive located between the porous membrane and optically diffuse film, said porous membrane being in communication with detection probes, wherein said detection probes include non-fluorescent particles configured to produce a detection signal in the visible spectrum; a diffuse illumination source that provides electromagnetic radiation that causes said detection probes to produce said detection signal; and an electronic imaging detector that possesses spatial discrimination and 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, said optically transparent adhesive, and said film are positioned in the electromagnetic radiation path defined between said illumination source and said detector, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is directly applied to either opposing side of said assay device; said porous membrane, said optically transparent adhesive, and said optically diffuse film being transmissive to said electromagnetic radiation and said detection signal, wherein said illumination source and said detector are positioned less than 5 millimeters from said assay device.