Humidity-Resistant Biosensor Cover with Timing Means

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Solution Overview

Problem

Devices for testing biological materials, such as glucose tolerance testing devices, face challenges in maintaining data quality due to extraneous factors like humidity, especially in areas where access to clinical facilities is limited.

Innovation Solution

A biological test device with removable humidity-resistant covers over biosensor zones, incorporating timing means to record the time of cover removal, and optionally featuring dessicant material and electronic sensors for temperature and humidity monitoring, ensuring data integrity by minimizing exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the biosensor zone is left exposed for easy sample application, then ease of operation is improved, but humidity resistance deteriorates leading to compromised data quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of sample applicationVSAvoidhumidity exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device applies preliminary protection by covering the biosensor zone with a humidity-resistant cover before the test is performed. The cover is removed immediately before sample application, ensuring the sensor remains protected from humidity during storage and transport while being accessible when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A removable cover acts as an intermediary element between the biosensor zone and the humid environment. This cover provides a physical barrier that prevents humidity from reaching the sensor, while still allowing easy access when sample application is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the biosensor zone is covered with a humidity-resistant cover, then humidity resistance is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehumidity protectionVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The humidity-resistant cover is implemented as a thin, flexible protective layer that can be easily integrated into the device structure. This approach provides effective humidity protection while minimizing the increase in device complexity and maintaining a compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover system is segmented into modular components that can be independently designed and assembled. The cover is specifically designed to protect only the critical biosensor zone, allowing other parts of the device to remain simple and unencumbered.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If timing means is added to record cover removal time, then measurement precision is improved for test validity, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest timing accuracyVSAvoiddevice components
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The timing means is integrated into the device's existing microcontroller and operates automatically without requiring separate manual timing mechanisms. The system self-records the time of cover removal using its internal clock, eliminating the need for additional complexity while maintaining precise timing measurement for test validity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively reduces the impact of humidity on test results, ensuring data quality by protecting sensors and allowing for the identification and assessment of compromised data due to excessive heat or humidity exposure.

Implementation Method 1

the or each cover incorporates a dessicant material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2819579B1Test device
Publication Date: 2016.09.21 SMARTSENSOR TELEMED LTD
  • EP2819579B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2819579B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2819579B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A biological test device with at least one zone containing a biosensor and/or reagent media to accept a sample of a biological material, where the zone is covered until use by a removable humidity resistant cover. The cover may be slidably removable or have a peel-off configuration and may incorporate a desiccant material. The cover may also act as an actuator associated with electronic timing and/or signalling components carried by the device.