Self-Contained Diagnostic Test Advanceable Strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional diagnostic tests for pathogens like strep throat require special equipment and medical professionals, leading to increased costs and reduced likelihood of early detection, and are prone to contamination and inaccuracies due to specimen handling and transportation issues.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, compact testing unit with pre-loaded reagent capsules and a sequential progression design that minimizes handling and exposure to chemicals, allowing for on-site analysis without the need for specialized equipment or medical professionals, ensuring reduced contamination and improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional specimen collection and transportation methods are used, then the test can be performed in a laboratory setting, but the risk of contamination and loss of sample integrity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a specimen collection swab, a sealed reaction chamber containing reagents, and a test strip. This segmentation allows the specimen to be collected and immediately sealed in a controlled environment, preventing contamination during transport while maintaining all necessary test components.
Solution Approach 2:
The test strip is nested within the reaction chamber, which itself is contained within the specimen collection device. This nested structure ensures that the test strip remains protected and sterile until the moment of testing, eliminating exposure to contaminants during transportation and storage.
2Measurement precision
If specialized equipment and medical professionals are required, then the test can be performed with high accuracy, but the cost and accessibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed as a self-contained system where the specimen collection, reagent mixing, and test execution all occur automatically within the sealed chamber. The user simply needs to collect the specimen and insert it into the device, after which the test runs autonomously, eliminating the need for specialized equipment or professional operation while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
All reagents are pre-loaded and sealed within the reaction chamber before use. The device is prepared in advance with all necessary components in their correct positions, so that when the specimen is inserted, the test can proceed immediately without requiring complex setup or preparation by the user.
3Reliability
If the biological sample is not analyzed in a timely manner, then the sample can be preserved for later testing, but the sample may become invalid or dry, decreasing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction chamber is pre-prepared with all reagents in their correct positions and concentrations before the specimen is collected. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the specimen is inserted, the chemical reactions can begin immediately, eliminating any delay between sample collection and analysis that would otherwise compromise sample validity.
Solution Approach 2:
The specimen collection, reagent mixing, and test execution functions are merged into a single integrated device. The specimen is collected directly into the reaction chamber containing the reagents, and the test strip is positioned to immediately detect the reaction products, ensuring continuous analysis from collection to result without intermediate storage or transport delays.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances test reliability and accessibility by reducing contamination risks, enabling timely and accurate detection of pathogens like strep throat in non-hospital settings, such as homes or pharmacies, with minimal risk of chemical exposure and improved specimen preservation.
Implementation Method 1
The test strip is inserted into the mixture and a visible result is observed to indicate the presence or absence of the analyte
Data Source
AI summary
A test unit collects and analyzes biological specimens on-site. It has one or more openings that allow reagent capsules to be inserted and guided into a testing chamber. Reagent capsules are pre-loaded with chemicals for screening and are configured as blister packs. A button mechanism allows projection(s) to open the blister packs to allow chemicals within the capsules to mix inside the testing chamber. A medical swab is affixed to a pop top dispenser cap and can be pressed to allow the swab to be inserted into the mixed chemicals. A visible test strip mount attached to the testing chamber has a lever to manipulate a test strip in and out of the testing chamber. This test strip may be slid through a uni-directional seal on a capsule and into a chemical for testing. The test strip will test for the presence of an infectious disease.