Our Technology

Vigilant Diagnostics automates existing Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) visual reading through the use of a proprietary technology it has developed and patented, called "Thermal Contrast Amplification (TCA)."

This technology amplifies read results throughout the depth of the membrane, whereas visual reads are more topical. Increased sensitivity provides faster read times and better accuracy, combined with the benefit of digital reading for new clinical utilities.

The Vigilant TCA reader (currently Research Use Only) provides faster turnaround time with digitalized results, leading to improved data management and data transfer, and supports detecting positive results earlier, reducing test times.

Benefits of Vigilant Diagnostics TCA Technology

Accelerates Assay Sensitivity Optimization
Vigilant’s Thermal Contrast Amplification technology reveals low-level positives in gold-nanoparticle LFAs that visual reading misses, by amplifying signal thermally rather than optically. It enables earlier detection of sensitivity improvements and identification of weak but reproducible signals. Development teams can more quickly optimize antibody pairs, conjugates, membranes, and assay design, leading to faster iteration and clearer technical decisions.

Generates Quantitative Performance Data
Vigilant’s “TCA” readers convert nanoparticle signal into objective thermal measurements, replacing subjective visual interpretation. That allows precise limit-of-detection analysis, signal-to-noise quantification, comparison across assay versions, and reproducibility assessment. Quantitative output strengthens internal validation and supports future regulatory preparation.

Integrates into Existing Gold-Nanoparticle LFA Designs
Our TCA reader (currently Research Use Only) evaluates standard gold-nanoparticle LFAs without requiring chemistry changes. Existing strips can be tested directly and compared to visual reads while preserving current materials and workflows. Our Thermal Contrast Amplification (TCA) technology acts as a sensitivity enhancement layer rather than a redesign requirement.

Supports Advanced Assay Characterization
Thermal measurement enables detailed characterization across concentration ranges and sample matrices. That supports feasibility analysis, dynamic range assessment, matrix evaluation, and stability studies, enabling more data-driven assay optimization decisions.

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Value Proposition

Vigilant Diagnostics’ proprietary TCA technology increases the point-of-care (POC) marketplace value of existing LFAs by:

Increasing the sensitivity of existing LFAs while reducing false-negative and false-positive results
Transitioning from qualitative binary (positive/negative) results to digital, quantitative results
Increasing reliability and reproducibility of existing POC testing LFA results
Requires no existing LFA test changes, just use of our TCA reader (currently Research Use Only)
Provides dramatically increased sensitivity, by 250x or more, with minor LFA enhancements to the gold nanoparticle to leverage our TCA technology

Competitive Advantages

Vigilant Diagnostic's Competitive Advantages

Improved sensitivity
Improved reliability
Improved accuracy

Faster test turnaround
Test at room temperature
Lower cost than traditional lab tests

Technical Advantages

Technical Advantages Over Other Detection Technologies

No liquid addition steps are required for response, i.e., enzyme substrates and chemiluminescence triggering reagents
Lower background -- no auto-fluorescence
Measures response throughout the membrane, versus more topical optical measurement
Allows increasing sensitivity to current LFA colloidal gold formats – up to 250X just by using larger colloidal gold particles
Low sensitivity can be used for molecular diagnostics (e.g., HIV ~10pg/mL).

Particles Effect

Larger-Sized Particles Effect Provides Increasing Sensitivity

Increasing the size of the colloidal gold particle in the assay consistently increases assay sensitivity:

Using Thermal Contrast Technology with a 30nm particle amplifies response by 8 to 32 fold.
Using a 60nm particle with the same assay can amplify results >32-50 fold.
Using a 100nm particle with the same assay can amplify results >250 fold.