Lateral Flow Assay, purpose and applications
Lateral flow assay (LFA) or lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) tests have a wide range of applications due to their ease of use, although many consumers only recognize the more common pregnancy and COVID rapid tests. Each lateral flow assay (LFA) test is intended to detect different analytes, and therefore each test requires unique properties for each of the test components. POREX sample, conjugate, and absorbent pads have demonstrated exceptional performance in varying lateral flow applications, and they can be further customized for optimal test performance and simplified manufacturing.
Whether you are developing a sandwich or competitive assay, POREX lateral flow materials support both qualitative and quantitative assays with even flows and low non-specific binding. POREX lateral flow pads or external filtration materials can ensure appropriate sample purification to maximize the specificity and sensitivity of the LFAs utilizing clinical, food, or environmental samples regardless of sample viscosity. In addition to traditional sample, conjugate, and absorbent pads, POREX lateral flow materials have also been used as stacking or blocking pads. For rapid tests using variations on isothermal DNA amplification technology, POREX lateral flow materials have also been used as amplification pads for nucleic acid based tests.
The robustness of POREX synthetic fiber pads ensures easy adaptability for reel-to-reel applications, as well as soaking and spraying processing steps. POREX lateral flow assay pads do not include any glass fiber or cellulose, which ensures increased strength and durability for manufacturing.
Key benefits of our lateral flow assay pads include:
- Controlled absorption for a wide range of sample types and volumes
- Robust material, ensuring easy adaptation for reel-to-reel applications
- Improved material consistency, both within lot and lot-to-lot
- Wide range of customized length, thickness, and density for challenging applications
- Pretreatments including buffering agents, detergents, blocking agents, preservatives, and stabilizing reagents available for ease of manufacturing
Sample Pads
From high volume urine pads for pregnancy tests, to lower volume nasal swab samples for COVID tests, Porex sample pads absorb a specific volume at a controlled rate to promote uniform release onto the conjugate pad and membrane. Porex sample pads also support filtration of sample contaminants and can be pre-treated to prepare the sample for downstream interactions on the strip.
Conjugate Pads
Porex hydrophilic conjugate pads consistently and efficiently absorb and release conjugate to allow for accurate downstream detection. As in all of our LFA pads, Porex conjugate pads are synthetic to provide the tensile strength needed for reel to reel manufacturing.
Absorbent Pads
The absorbent pad must be able to absorb all of the volume of the assay. Also known as a wick pad, Porex absorbent pads have high absorption capacities while maintaining tensile strength needed for reel to reel manufacturing.