Screening device and methods of screening immunoassay tests and agglutination tests

摘要

Immunoassay tests or agglutination tests run on samples of bodily fluid to detect the presence of particular compounds such as drugs in the body may be screened in the screening device. A test membrane is inserted into the screening device and illuminated. The reflected image is detected and the digitized data processed. For immunoassay tests, the digitized data is segmented and data for the test region is compared to that from the control region and the background regions to determine whether the test data exhibits any significant results. For agglutination tests, the digitized data is processed to determine the number and size of the areas of coagulation to determine whether the test data exhibits any significant results. ;A swab for taking a bodily sample incorporates a run fluid capsule. Once an adequate sample of bodily fluid has been collected and the swab is placed in contact with the test membrane, the run fluid capsule is pierced by a spike provided on the swab, the run fluid mixes with the sample and the mixture is conveyed to the test membrane. Alternatively or in addition the swab has a main tube and a capillary tube. A run detector in the capillary tube detects when an adequate sample of bodily fluid has been taken.