RAMPTM: A Rapid, Quantitative Whole Blood Immunochromatographic Platform for Point-of-Care Testing

The Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform (RAMP™) is an enabling immunodiagnostic platform for quantitative analysis of a wide variety of analytes. Consisting of an immunochromatographic strip in a disposable cartridge and a scanning dual wavelength fluorescence reader, RAMP takes advantage of the inherent simplicity of lateral flow immunochromatography while providing a quantitative measurement of analyte concentration. Using 2–3 drops of whole blood, a test can be completed in 5 min by placing the blood on the cartridge and placing the cartridge in the fluorescence reader. No training or sample measurement is needed. The system has a low manufacturing cost and a short development time per assay. A patent was issued on the system in the US in May 1998 (1). The criteria for point-of-care testing (2) are affordable cost, a disposable device, and/or minimal maintenance and minimal technical expertise required to perform tests. The sample should be whole blood, low volume, unmetered, and applied directly into the instrument or disposable. There needs to be a simple “goof-proof” strategy for recording collection time and result reporting, a simple strategy for calibration and quality control, data transfer capability compatible with the laboratory or hospital information system and a positive identification and specimen-tracking strategy that eliminates specimen identification error. …