Assay reader operable to scan a test strip

Abstract

Low-cost assay test strip readers are disclosed. Such readers enable creation of profiles of analyte reactions detected on an assay test strip utilizing a simple detector fixedly mounted to a body of the reader. The detector may be a single detector, such as a photodetector, which detects an optical signal at a single point. The assay test strip is inserted and/or removed from the test strip reader and the detector detects the optical elements of the strip during such insertion and/or removal. The movement of the test strip with respect to the body enables the detector to scan a length of the test strip, such that a one-dimensional profile of the optical signals can be generated. The reader may convert the detected profile into a displayable indication of analyte concentrations for diagnostic purposes. Moving the test strip relative to an array of detectors enables creation of a two-dimensional profile.

What we claim is: 
     
         1 . A method of analyzing an assay test strip comprising a test portion and an encoder portion, the method comprising:
 moving, by a user, the assay test strip relative to a body of an assay test strip reader; and   detecting a presence of at least one analyte reaction region based on at least one characteristic of the at least one analyte reaction region during the user-caused moving of the assay test strip relative to the body of the assay test strip reader, wherein the detection takes place during the user-caused moving of the assay test strip relative to the body of the assay reader