Setting the Cutoff of a Lateral Flow Test
See how capture chemistry, conjugate loading, membrane flow and scavenger antibodies move the point where a test becomes visibly positive.
- Duration
- 40s
Interactive animation
Use the play button or timeline to inspect the mechanism at your own pace.
Explanation
Setting the Cutoff of a Lateral Flow Test
The cutoff is the lowest analyte concentration that produces a signal above the visible or instrument-defined threshold. Developers can shift that point by changing how much analyte is captured, how bright the label is, how long binding can occur and whether analyte is removed upstream.
Why it matters
The desired cutoff depends on the clinical use case. A test that is too sensitive may detect irrelevant low levels, while a test that is not sensitive enough may miss clinically meaningful concentrations.
Key takeaway
The cutoff is engineered, not accidental. It emerges from chemistry, materials, flow and the interpretation threshold working together.