Portable Diagnostic Device Receiving Surface Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable diagnostic measurement devices for bodily fluids face challenges with accurate and contamination-free sample application, particularly in top-dosing, outside-dosing, and out-of-meter-dosing systems, which lead to inaccurate measurements and high costs due to complex assembly processes and material expenses.
Innovation Solution
A measurement device with a housing featuring a receiving surface on one of its narrow sides for a disposable test element, designed to facilitate ergonomic handling and minimize contamination, using guide elements and positioning devices to ensure precise alignment and application of the test element, thereby simplifying sample application and reducing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If top-dosing systems are used with test strip in the middle of housing trough, then sample application is simplified, but contamination of trough or optical measuring unit occurs when large amount of sample hangs on finger
Solution Approach 1:
The test strip is segmented into distinct functional zones: a sample application area extending beyond the housing trough, a measurement area within the trough, and a waste area. This segmentation allows the user to apply sample to the extended area while capillary forces automatically wick the sample to the measurement zone, preventing overflow contamination of the optical measuring unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Capillary forces act as an intermediary mechanism between the sample application area and the measurement area. The capillary channels in the test strip automatically transport the liquid sample from the user-applied region to the measurement zone without requiring direct contact between the user and the measurement components, thereby eliminating contamination risk.
2Ease of operation
If outside-dosing systems are used with complete test strip area for sample application, then sample application flexibility is improved, but surfaces and underside of test strip become unintentionally contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The test strip exhibits local quality differentiation with a hydrophilic sample application zone that attracts and retains liquid sample, and a hydrophobic or non-absorptive measurement zone that repels excess sample. This local property variation ensures sample is confined to the intended application area while preventing contamination of other test strip surfaces and surrounding areas.
3Quantity of substance
If out-of-meter-dosing systems with capillaries are used, then sample volume requirement is increased, but manufacturing complexity and material costs increase due to elaborate assembly process
Solution Approach 1:
The test strip merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: sample application, sample transport via capillary channels, and measurement. The capillary network is embedded within the test strip matrix rather than being separate components, eliminating complex assembly steps while maintaining controlled sample volume requirements through the capillary wicking action.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are portable diagnostic measurement devices for determining at least one analysis parameter of a bodily fluid, in particular for determining an analyte concentration in a bodily fluid as can occur in blood glucose determinations. Also disclosed are analysis systems including the measurement device and at least one disposable test element. The test element can be designed as a carrier strip and can contact a receiving surface of the measurement device at least partially in a flat manner, where the receiving surface is arranged on a narrow side of the housing of the measurement device.