Extension of the measurement range of rapid chromatographic tests

摘要

Method of quantitative determination of an analyte in a sample, which comprises (a) preparation of a specific substance of the analyte which, upon contact with it, is capable of reacting with it producing a detectable signal, so as to provide the specific substance from the analyte a test strip is used; (b) elaboration of at least two calibration graphs obtained respectively by reaction of the same specific substance of the analyte with different amounts of the same analyte, for predetermined reaction times respectively; (c) contacting the specific substance of the analyte with a sample containing the analyte sought; (d) measurement of the signal corresponding to a predetermined first reaction time, for which there is a first calibration chart according to (b); (e) checking that the signal measured in (d) allows a quantitative determination of the analyte with a desired accuracy, which for the analyte sought is achieved when the calibration graph considered shows the greatest slope of all the calibration curves elaborated with respect to the corresponding amount of the analyte sought; (f) (i) quantitative determination of the analyte based on the signal measured in (d) when the desired accuracy is reached, so that to quantitatively determine the analyte, the signal measured according to (d) is compared with the first calibration graph prepared for the first preset reaction time, or (ii) measurement of the signal corresponding to a second preset reaction time, for which there is a second calibration graph according to (b); (g) checking that the signal measured in (f) (ii) allows a quantitative determination of the analyte with a desired accuracy, which for the analyte sought is achieved when the calibration graph considered has the greatest slope of all calibration curves elaborated with respect to the corresponding quantity of the analyte sought; and (h) (i) quantitative determination of the analyte based on the signal measured in (f) (ii) when the desired accuracy is reached, so that to quantitatively determine the analyte, the signal measured according to (f) (ii) is compare with the second calibration chart prepared for the second preset reaction time, or (ii) continuation of the determination for at least one other preset reaction time corresponding to (f) (ii), (g), (h) (i )