Although not required, many lateral flow strips are placed into plastic cassettes. The cassette prevents the user from applying the sample anywhere except the sample

The principle behind the LA is simple: a liquid sample (or its extract) containing the analyte of interest moves without the assistance of external forces (capillary action) through various zones of polymeric strips,

The sample pad is the first material that comes in contact with the sample when running a lateral flow assay so the sample pad material and pre-treatment should be evaluated to ensure that the sample has the optimal flow and treatment before the sample reaches the reagents in the system.