Patent ID: 8367013

Claim:
A system for conducting a lateral flow assay to detect the presence or quantity of an analyte in a sample, the system comprising: (a) a lateral flow membrane strip comprising a detection zone, wherein upon application, the sample is capable of traversing through the membrane strip to the detection zone; and (b) a reading device comprising: (i) a housing within which is contained an electromagnetic radiation source and a sensor capable of detecting the intensity of electromagnetic radiation, wherein the electromagnetic radiation source and sensor are positioned so that electromagnetic radiation emitted from the source is capable of being reflected from the lateral flow membrane strip to the sensor, the housing having an exterior surface; (ii) a light barrier structure comprising a top plate and a bottom plate, the bottom plate being positioned adjacent to the exterior surface of the housing, wherein a receiving port is defined between the top plate and the bottom plate, the lateral flow membrane strip being capable of insertion into the receiving port, wherein the bottom plate defines an aperture through which electromagnetic radiation from the source is capable of passing before contacting the lateral flow membrane strip, the aperture having a size that approximates the size of the detection zone; and (iii) a light absorbing member positioned within the receiving port to absorb stray light, the light absorbing member comprising an absorption pad that is located adjacent to the membrane strip upon insertion into the receiving port, the absorption pad covering an area under which the membrane strip is impacted by electromagnetic radiation.