Design of a novel device for rapid antigen detection

A compact, hand-held device was designed to determine the presence of the C. trachomatis antigen in a sample in under 2 minutes. The point-of-care device uses magnetic assay cell separation techniques involving the molecular interactions between polystyrene beads, C. trachomatis antigen and magnetic beads. In the result of a positive test, a complex forms and induces a color change. In the result of a negative test, no complex forms, and thus, no color change occurs.