I would expect that practically everyone is now well aware of
lateral flow tests and PCR, indeed many of us now have first-hand
experience of these tests. To date over 400 million lateral flow
tests and almost 180 million PCR tests have been carried out in the
UK alone, since the start of the pandemic
(https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/testing). However, I began
to wonder how many people actually know how these tests work and
the innovation, which has gone into their development?
Lateral flow tests were initially developed decades ago and are
used not just in the field of medical diagnostics, but many other
industries, including in food and environmental safety. There are
literally dozens of patents directed to the technology underlying
lateral flow devices and a seminal patent is US6,485,982. Many
women will have come across a lateral flow test, as it is the most
common form of over the counter pregnancy test. A significant
advantage is their simplicity of use;
