Patent ID: 8003407

Claim:
A test strip for conducting a lateral flow assay for detection of at least one analyte in a sample, comprising: (a) a chromatographic strip comprising a first end and a second end; (b) at least one capture band, wherein the one capture band is a first capture band, and is located on the chromatographic strip, and wherein the first capture band comprises a first immobilized capture agent for capturing a first analyte in the sample; (c) optionally, a second capture band that is located on the chromatographic strip, wherein the second capture band comprises a second immobilized capture agent for capturing a second analyte in the sample; (d) at least one control band optionally comprising an immobilized control agent; (e) at least one sample filter, wherein the one sample filter is a first sample filter, and wherein the first sample filter is in capillary contact with the chromatographic strip, and optionally comprises an agglutinating agent; (f) a fluid-impermeable barrier, wherein the barrier is in capillary contact with at least the first sample filter and the chromatographic strip and slows fluid flow from the first sample filter to the chromatographic strip; (g) at least one mobilizable detectable agent, wherein the one mobilizable detectable agent is a first mobilizable detectable agent that is capable of binding to the first analyte or to a first capture agent or to a complex formed by the combination of the first analyte and the first capture agent, wherein the first mobilizable detectable agent is provided on the chromatographic strip or can be released onto the chromatographic strip; (h) optionally, a backing that supports the test strip; (i) a first absorbent pad, that is in capillary contact with the chromatographic strip; (j) optionally, a second absorbent pad that is in capillary contact with the first absorbent pad; wherein the test strip allows detection with or without quantitation of an analyte in a sample containing whole cells.