Lateral flow test strip

Abstract

The present invention provides a test strip having a first layer comprising a wicking member and a second layer comprising a capillary transfer plane member. The capillary transfer plane has a plurality of capillary transfer passages. The capillary transfer passages can comprise a hole, channel, or other shape to control sample flow rate. Located above the one or more capillary transfer passages are a plurality of testing members. The test strip can include a third layer next to the wicking member, the third layer comprising a backing member for providing support to the wicking member. Another aspect of the present invention provides a sample testing device, which includes a housing having a plurality of openings, and a test strip as described above, wherein a sample application area of the test strip is accessible through one of the openings in the housing, and each of the testing members is viewable through one of the openings of the housing.

1 - 25  (cancelled)  
     
     
         26 . A test strip for testing for at least one substance in a sample, comprising: 
 a wicking member having a sample application area and an absorbent area, the sample application area and the absorbent area defining therebetween a central portion of the wicking member, the wicking member adapted to draw a sample from the sample application area through the central portion and towards the absorbent area;    a testing member containing a testing reagent;    a transfer member formed of a material through which fluid will not flow, the transfer member located between the central portion of the wicking member and the testing member; and    a transfer path from the wicking member to the testing member, the transfer path adapted to draw a portion of the sample from the central portion of the wicking member to the testing member via capillary force action, the transfer path being small enough to reduce backflow from the testing member to the wicking member.    
     
     
         27 . The test strip of  claim 26 , wherein the transfer member is a planar member.  
     
     
         28 . The test strip of  claim 26 , wherein the transfer path is a channel between two transfer members.  
     
     
         29 . The test strip of  claim 26 , wherein the transfer path is a channel between two sections of the transfer member.  
     
     
         30 . The test strip of  claim 26 , wherein the testing member is positioned adjacent to the central portion of the wicking member.  
     
     
         31 . The test strip of  claim 26 , wherein the transfer path is the only fluid path from the wicking member to the testing member.  
     
     
         32 . The test strip of  claim 26 , further including a plurality of testing members each containing reagents for separate testing of the sample.  
     
     
         33 . The test strip of  claim 32 , wherein respective transfer paths draw a portion of the sample from the central portion of the wicking member to each testing member.  
     
     
         34 . The test strip of  claim 26 , wherein the testing member receives the sample only from the central portion of the wicking member.  
     
     
         35 . A test strip for testing for a plurality of substances in a sample, comprising: 
 a wicking member having a sample application area and an absorbent area, the sample application area and the absorbent area defining therebetween a central portion of the wicking member, the wicking member adapted to draw a sample from the sample application area through the central portion and towards the absorbent area;    a plurality of adulterant testing members each containing a testing reagent for separate testing of the sample for adulterants; and    a plurality of transfer paths, each transfer path extending from the central portion of the wicking member to a respective testing member, each transfer path adapted to draw a portion of the sample from the central portion of the wicking member to the respective testing member via capillary force action, the transfer paths being small enough to reduce backflow from the testing members to the wicking member.    
     
     
         36 . The test strip of  claim 35 , wherein the testing members receive the sample only from the central portion of the wicking member.  
     
     
         37 . The test strip of  claim 35 , further including a transfer member formed of a material through which fluid will not flow, the transfer member located between the central portion of the wicking member and the testing members.  
     
     
         38 . The test strip of  claim 35 , wherein the transfer paths are formed from passages within a transfer member, the transfer member formed of a material through which fluid will not flow, the transfer member located between the central portion of the wicking member and the testing members.  
     
     
         39 . The test strip of  claim 35 , wherein the testing members are separated and isolated from each other.  
     
     
         40 . The test strip of  claim 35 , wherein the transfer paths are separate and isolated from each other.