BED BUGS DETECTION DEVICE

摘要

System and method embodiments for analyzing a test fluid to detect prior or present infestations of bed bugs are described. In an embodiment, the method may include receiving the test fluid on a test strip within the detection device. The test strip may include a reaction portion and a reagent portion containing an antibody or antigen-binding fragment that is conjugated to a colored particle. The test fluid may include bed bug antigen that reacts with the conjugated antibody. The detection device may include a first and a second optical sensor for monitoring a reaction and a background color intensity, respectively. Upon a predetermined time delay elapsing, the detection device determines whether bed bug antigen is present in the test fluid using the monitored color intensities and minimum and maximum color intensity thresholds associated with bed bugs. Then, the detection device outputs a result using a visual display.

主权项

1. A method for analyzing a test fluid to determine prior or present infestations of bed bugs, comprising:
receiving, by a detection device, the test fluid near a first end of a test strip within the detection device, wherein the test fluid flows past a reagent portion of the test strip containing colored particles and through a reaction portion of the test strip, wherein the reagent portion contains an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that is conjugated to a colored particle, and wherein the conjugated antibody is capable of binding with any bed bug antigen within the test fluid to form a bed bug molecule; monitoring, by a first optical sensor within the detection device, a reaction color intensity of the reaction portion of the test strip, wherein an immobilized antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof within the reaction portion binding with the bed bug molecule increases the reaction color intensity; monitoring, by a second optical sensor within the detection device, a background color intensity of a portion of the test strip near the reaction portion; determining, by the detection device, that an initial amount of test fluid has flowed past the reaction portion based on the monitored reaction color intensity and the monitored background color intensity; determining, by the detection device, that a given amount of colored particles from the reagent portion has flowed past the reaction portion based on the monitored reaction color intensity and the monitored background color intensity; detecting, by the detection device, that a predetermined time delay has elapsed since determining that the given amount of colored particles has flowed past the reaction portion; determining, by the detection device, a bed bug profile result using the monitored color intensities and minimum and maximum color intensity thresholds, wherein the predetermined time delay, the minimum color intensity threshold, and the maximum color intensity threshold are stored in a memory of the detection device, and wherein the bed bug profile result indicates whether a presence of bed bugs was detected in the test fluid; and outputting, by the detection device, the bed bug profile result using a visual display.