Overview
GenPrime, Inc. has developed a reader and software system which assigns an objective interpretation of lateral flow strips and provides the user with automated documentation. The device is currently configured to analyze urine multi-drug screen tests. These tests are commonly used to screen and/or monitor individuals in a wide range of work environments. They are produced by different manufacturers, but all of these tests are a variation on the same theme and thus equivalent in their design. They are rapid, one-step screening tests that can simultaneously detect multiple drugs and drug metabolites in human urine.
Although broadly used, these drug screening tests suffer from the same limitations as all lateral flow tests - subjective determination and lack of automated documentation. In a typical work environment, a donor provides a urine sample, which is then subjected to a multi-drug test. After 10-15 minutes, the operator reads the result by eye and manually records the results on a chain-of-custody form. Subsequently, the operator or another individual "enters" the recorded information into a computer database for permanent storage. Many of the errors associated with such tests occur as a result of clerical mistakes.
GenPrime's DOA Test Reader overcomes these concerns by providing objective determination of lines on lateral flow strips, and automatically logging the results into a database. The system consists of novel software coupled to an image capture device. The software utilizes an algorithm that determines the 'density' of the gold nanoparticles on the membrane. Image capture is accomplished with a high resolution flat bed scanner.
|
