Patent ID: 8703504

Claim:
A method for detecting an analyte within a test sample, the method comprising: i) providing a lateral flow assay device that comprises a porous membrane in fluid communication with detection probes, the detection probes comprising a phosphorescent particle, the phosphorescent particle comprising a phosphorescent metal complex encapsulated within a barrier matrix comprising polymethylmethacrylate, the detection probes being conjugated with a specific binding member configured to bind with the analyte and form an analyte complex, wherein the porous membrane defines a conjugate pad, the conjugate pad including the detection probes; a detection zone positioned downstream of the conjugate pad within which is immobilized a capture reagent that is configured to bind to the analyte complex to generate a detection signal; and a calibration zone positioned downstream of the detection zone within which a capture reagent is immobilized, the capture reagent being capable of binding to uncaptured detection probes to generate a calibration signal; ii) contacting the lateral flow assay device with the test sample; iii) subjecting the detection zone to illumination pulses to generate the detection signal; iv) subjecting the calibration zone to illumination pulses to generate the calibration signal; and v) thereafter, measuring the intensity of the detection signal and the calibration signal, wherein the amount of the analyte within the test sample is proportional to a ratio of the intensity of the detection signal to the intensity of the calibration signal.