Novel Capillary Agglutination Technology

New capillary agglutination technology (CAT) could be widely adapted to many diagnostic applications in the growing point-of-care (POC) market.

This rapid immunoassay method of digital diagnostic testing is based on the flow of a liquid, by capillary force, to an electrode sensor where contact completes a circuit producing a positive signal. Simple digital logic reduces the power requirements of the integrated circuit, keeping material and assembly costs low while increasing reliability. The digital test device can be manufactured as a complete disposable unit for the point-of-care market or developed with a separate reader capable of interpreting multiple analytes and quantitative measurements.

Platform Diagnostics Limited (Liverpool, UK), which developed the technique, has demonstrated CAT in a low-cost digital pregnancy test developed by the company. Since CAT does not use lateral flow membrane technology, it infringes no patents and avoids the unreliability problems associated with this method. Platform Diagnostics has three patent applications pending that relate to the electrochemical sensor and self-powered digital signal generation.

To encourage early and widespread adoption of the technique, Platform Diagnostics is seeking to license the technology and support third parties through the provision of starter kits and consultancy advice.




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