Bio-fluid Assessment System for Continuous Urine Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current urinalysis methods are time-consuming, messy, costly, and inconvenient, with periodic diagnostic testing that can be skewed by variables like diet and medication, leading to delayed detection of medical conditions due to lack of continuous monitoring and high patient compliance issues.
Innovation Solution
A bio-fluid assessment system that includes a collection apparatus integrated with toilets, an analysis apparatus with chemically activated monitoring substrates and optical sensors, and a reporting system for real-time data transmission to healthcare providers, enabling ongoing monitoring of urine properties and constituents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If periodic on-demand diagnostic testing is used, then testing can be performed when needed, but valuable time is lost and conditions are not detected early or timely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of urine constituents through an automated system that continuously analyzes biofluid samples, replacing periodic manual testing with ongoing real-time detection. This continuous operation eliminates time delays and ensures conditions are detected immediately when they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis by continuously monitoring urine constituents before symptoms manifest or before medical intervention is needed. The automated detection system is ready in advance to identify conditions early, enabling proactive rather than reactive medical response.
2Ease of operation
If manual urine collection and delivery to healthcare providers is required, then testing can be performed, but the process becomes messy, inconvenient, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing patients to collect urine samples at home using an automated device that performs analysis without requiring healthcare provider involvement. The device automatically processes samples, eliminates manual handling, and provides results directly to patients, making the process clean and convenient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (physical delivery of containers, manual testing procedures) with an automated electronic system. The automated analyzer performs all testing functions electronically, eliminating the need for messy manual handling and complex human-operated procedures.
3Measurement precision
If lab testing is performed periodically, then diagnostic data is obtained, but results are not comparable across an individual's baseline and compliance is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous feedback to patients by displaying real-time results and comparing current readings against established baselines. This immediate feedback loop increases patient engagement and compliance, as patients can see the direct impact of their health status and make timely adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
Continuous monitoring provides an unbroken timeline of data that establishes reliable baselines and enables meaningful comparisons across different time points. The uninterrupted data stream ensures measurement precision and comparability, allowing patients to track their health status consistently over time.
4Reliability
If a wide variety of chronic conditions are not regularly tested by patients, then testing burden is reduced, but conditions are not detected early or timely
Solution Approach 1:
The automated analysis system is designed with multi-functionality to detect a wide variety of constituents including glucose, ketones, proteins, and other markers for multiple different chronic conditions. This universal testing capability allows a single device to screen for numerous conditions simultaneously without increasing patient burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors multiple chemical parameters and constituents in urine samples, analyzing different aspects of biofluid composition to detect various conditions. By measuring multiple parameters simultaneously, the system comprehensively screens for different chronic conditions while maintaining ease of use.
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
This system provides efficient, convenient, and cost-effective real-time analysis and reporting of bio-fluid properties, allowing for early detection of medical conditions and remote monitoring of chronic conditions, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits and improving patient compliance.
Implementation Method 1
an analysis apparatus, to analyze the bio-fluid and to determine one or more constituents in the bio-fluid
Implementation Method 2
an analysis apparatus with chemically activated monitoring substrates and optical sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for analyzing bio-fluid constituents and properties in a bio-fluid sample, wherein the system comprises a bio-fluid collection apparatus, a bio-fluid testing/analysis apparatus, and a reporting apparatus.