Lateral Flow Assay Reagent Dispensing
What Are Lateral Flow Assays? (LFAs)
Lateral flow assays (LFAs) are commonly used in many point-of-care diagnostics and also in rapid testing. LFAs typically involve the detection of target analytes in a sample using a reagent and a strip-based format. Lateral flow reagent dispensing is a critical step in lateral flow assays (LFAs). Precision reagent dispensing in lateral flow assays refers to the controlled application of various reagents onto specific areas of the test strip to facilitate the detection process.
Ivek's Digispense® Striper is a semi-automatic lateral flow reagent dispensing / positioning system that is intended for continuous non-contact fluid dispensing onto various substrates such as nitrocellulose for manufacturing lateral flow assays (LFA).
Lateral flow assays are a fast and easy to use diagnostic testing tool that utilizes reagents and does not require the use of, or the need for, complex laboratory equipment. Lateral flow assays offer rapid and accurate results within minutes. Convenient, portable, and suitable for point-of-care testing or in-field applications, LFAs have been widely used for the detection of various analytes, including infectious diseases, pregnancy hormones, drugs of abuse, foodborne pathogens, and environmental contaminants.
Reagent Dispensing in Lateral Flow Assay Manufacturing
Reagent dispensing is an important step in lateral flow assay manufacturing because reagents must be applied to defined locations on the test substrate in a controlled and repeatable manner. Depending on the assay design, dispensing may involve one or multiple reagent lines applied to substrates such as nitrocellulose.
IVEK's DigiSpense® Striper is designed for continuous, non-contact reagent dispensing for lateral flow assay manufacturing. The system provides controlled fluid delivery and positioning for applying reagents to the substrate while supporting applications requiring multiple reagent lines. For lateral flow assay manufacturers, IVEK can help evaluate dispensing requirements and determine an appropriate fluid handling configuration for the application.
View The Digispense® Striper
Courtesy Science DirectLateral Flow Assay Overview
A lateral flow assay (LFA) is composed of four parts: a sample pad, which is the area on which sample is dropped; conjugate pad, on which labeled tags combined with biorecognition elements; reaction membrane containing test line and control line for target DNA-probe DNA hybridization or antigen-antibody interaction; and absorbent pad, which reserves waste.
In a lateral flow assay, reagents are typically dispensed onto the test strip or pad to initiate the reaction and facilitate the detection process.
Examples of Lateral Flow Assays
- Pregnancy tests.
- Infectious diseases; COVID 19 tests.
- Opiates and other drugs.
- Foodborne pathogens.
- Environmental contaminants.