Patent ID: 7803319

Claim:
A diagnostic test kit for detecting the presence of an analyte within a test sample, the test kit comprising a lateral flow assay device that includes an elongated porous membrane and a conjugate pad, the conjugate pad comprising a plurality of detection probes conjugated with a specific binding member, the conjugated detection probes being capable of producing a detectable signal, the conjugate pad being in fluid communication with the membrane through which the test sample travels to reach a detection zone, wherein a metering channel is microfabricated into the membrane that has a width that is the same or substantially equal to the width of the membrane, wherein the metering channel is downstream from the conjugate pad, defined between opposing walls at least partially formed by the membrane and is configured for receiving the test sample, the depth of the metering channel being from about 0.1 to about 800 micrometers, and further wherein the detection zone is located downstream from the metering channel and a receptive material is immobilized within the detection zone that is capable of binding to the conjugated detection probes or complexes formed between the analyte and the conjugated detection probes.