Method and device of using aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) for enhancing diagnostics for sexually transmitted infections

摘要

This invention relates to a method and device for improving the accuracy and performance of detecting or diagnosing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or STI-causing pathogens. In one embodiment, the present method and device are related to removing one or more interfering molecules such as urea from urine sample, where these interfering molecules alter the performance of Lateral-Flow Immunoassay (LFA). In one embodiment, an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) embedded entirely within a porous material allows spontaneous phase separation and the target STI-causing pathogens is concentrated in one of the separated phases. In one embodiment, a detection module such as the Lateral-Flow Immunoassay (LFA) is used in connection with other modules so as to detect or diagnose the sexually transmitted infections or the pathogens associated with STIs with an improved performance.