Battery-Free Diagnostic Device with Wireless Quantitative Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic test systems, especially immunoassay devices, face challenges in providing quantitative results and traceability, often requiring complex and costly setups with adaptable readers and consumables, and rely on visual interpretation or barcode scanning, which is not efficient for point-of-care or home use.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic test device with a sample-processing section, electronic measurement section, and energy-harvesting unit, integrated with a smartphone interface for wireless communication, allowing for battery-less operation and easy sample handling through a sliding mechanism, enabling both lateral flow and electrochemical measurements with a flexible substrate packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple immunoassay lateral flow device is used, then the device is simple and cheap, but it only provides a binary result and not a quantitative result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a lateral flow device with an electrochemical detection system and integrated electronics (antenna, modulator-demodulator, energy-harvesting unit) to transform a simple binary-output device into one capable of quantitative measurement. The electrochemical sensor array detects multiple analytes simultaneously with quantitative precision while maintaining the portability and simplicity of a point-of-care device.
Solution Approach 2:
The device integrates multiple functions into a single platform: lateral flow sample processing, electrochemical detection, wireless communication, energy harvesting, and data processing. This multi-functional integration enables quantitative measurement capability while keeping the device portable and suitable for point-of-care use without requiring separate complex instrumentation.
2Measurement precision
If a complex diagnostic test system with reader/analyser is used, then quantitative results can be obtained, but the system is more expensive and requires adaptation of consumable and reader/analyser to work together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the diagnostic system into a disposable consumable unit (containing lateral flow device, electrochemical sensors, and integrated electronics) and a separate reader/analyser platform. This segmentation allows the consumable to be optimized for specific tests while the reader provides universal quantitative analysis capability, reducing the need for costly adaptations when developing new test configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary wireless communication interface (using antenna and modulator-demodulator) between the consumable and reader/analyser. This intermediary enables data transfer and coordination without requiring physical adaptation or direct mechanical coupling, simplifying the integration of different test configurations with the reader platform.
3Device complexity
If visual interpretation is used, then the device is simple, but traceability is limited and barcode scanning is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual interpretation and barcode scanning with an automated electrochemical detection system and integrated wireless communication. The electrochemical sensors automatically detect and quantify analytes, eliminating the need for visual interpretation, while the antenna and modulator-demodulator enable automatic traceability data transmission, preserving device simplicity while enhancing information capture.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a platform system with extensive menu of different tests is developed, then versatility is improved, but different configurations require different interfaces between reader/analyser and consumable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the consumable with universal electrochemical sensor arrays and standardized wireless communication interfaces that can detect multiple analyte types. This universal design allows a single reader/analyser platform to support an extensive menu of different tests without requiring custom interface adaptations for each test configuration, maintaining versatility while simplifying the system architecture.
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 provides a low-cost, user-friendly, and efficient diagnostic testing system capable of delivering quantitative results and traceability without the need for batteries, facilitating point-of-care testing with smartphone integration and adaptable interfaces for various tests.
Implementation Method 1
an energy-harvesting unit coupled to the antenna and to the data processing unit
Implementation Method 2
The at least one light source and the at least one light/image sensor may be arranged to measure transmission, absorbance, and/or reflectance through or by the test area
Implementation Method 3
The at least one light source and the at least one light/image sensor may be arranged to measure transmission, absorbance, and/or reflectance through or by the test area
Implementation Method 4
The measurement section may comprise at least one electrochemical sensor. The electrochemical sensor may comprise an electrode or wire coated with a receptor which binds to a specific target molecule
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnostic test device is described. The device comprises a sample-processing section (4) comprising a test area (9; FIG. 5) containing a test reagent and a fluid conveyor (91; FIG. 5) for receiving a liquid sample (6) and transferring the liquid sample to the test area. The device comprises an electronic section (12) comprising a measurement section (5) for measuring properties in or of the test area, an antenna (17), a modulator-demodulator (19) coupled to the antenna, a data processing unit (14) coupled to the measurement section and to the modulator-demodulator and an energy-harvesting unit coupled to the antenna and to the data processing unit. The data processing unit is configured, upon receiving a measurement from the measurement section, to generate a message containing the measurement and/or a result of processing the measurement and to transmit the message via the modulator-demodulator and the antenna. The device comprises a frame (31; FIG. 5), a chassis (51; FIG. 5) coupled to the frame and slidably moveable with respect to the frame, using a slider (59; FIG. 5), between first and second positions, wherein the chassis carries the test area. In the second position, the sample is transferable to the test area or the sample is receivable by the fluid conveyor. The device comprises a wrapper (i11; FIG. 5) comprising a flexible substrate (13). The electronic section (12) is supported on the substrate, wherein the wrapper encloses the frame and chassis, and wherein the wrapper includes a first aperture (113) for allowing the fluid conveyor to receive the sample and a second aperture (114; FIG. 5) for allowing a user to access to the slider.