Using an ultra-compact optical system to improve lateral flow immunoassay results quantitatively

The lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) is a paper-based platform with extensive application in point-of-care (POC) testing and many fields. However, its clinical application is severely limited due to the lack of quantitative ability of standard LFIA tests; this augmentation provides the system with quantifying the signal from magenta-colored AuNPs. To address this issue, we proposed an ultra-compact optical system that allowed LFIAs to be performed more accurately and objectively. The experimental setup consisted of multiple optical accessories manufactured by 3D printing (STEP files were included). A high-resolution printer was used to print out a magenta card model for the LFIA, whose color code, ranging from 255, 255, 255 to 255, 0, 255 in the RGB (red, green, blue) format, represents different levels of magenta color intensity (from 0% to 100%) and thus the results of LFIA test strips. A mathematical model was built using a calibration curve to describe the relationship between magenta color value and reflectance spectrum. In addition, a spectrum module was integrated into the proposed system to identify and quantify LFIA results. This integration represents a pioneering step in developing portable detection techniques that facilitate quantifying LFIA results. Finally, we expect this ultra-compact optical spectroscopy system to have great potential for novel clinical applications.