Development and study of lateral flow test strip reader based on embedded system

We have designed and fabricated a new lateral flow test strip reader based on ARM processor and embedded Linux operating system. The instrument uses green light-emitting diode as the light source, captures the test strip image with high-resolution CMOS image sensor, and then use the image-processing method to calculate the result. It has many advantages such as rapid, easy-to-use and reliable. When testing cocaine fluid of different concentrations, the analysis result of test strips shows that the accuracy is 1ng/ml and CV (coefficient of variation) is less than 3%. The instrument could also be used on other kinds of lateral flow strips.