Diaper-Embedded Optical Sensor for UTI Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UTI detection methods are inadequate for early identification, particularly in vulnerable populations like infants and geriatric patients, due to their invasive nature, low accuracy, and inability to provide timely and autonomous results, leading to potential complications from undetected infections.
Innovation Solution
A novel detection system comprising a disposable device embedded in a diaper with a sensing unit, power source, and transport path, and a reusable device with a signal processing unit and data transmission capabilities, which analyzes photocurrent data from a reagent strip to calculate the concentration of targeted compounds like nitrite in urine, providing autonomous, accurate, and timely results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a urine culture test is used for UTI detection, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to the 2-3 day cultivation period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the biological mechanical process of bacterial cultivation with an optical detection system. The sensing unit uses light sources and photodetectors to detect UTI markers (nitrite, leukocyte esterase) through colorimetric reactions, eliminating the need for 2-3 day bacterial growth cultivation while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the detection function from the urine sample itself by using reagent strips that contain specific chemical indicators. These strips are inserted into the urine sample, and the colorimetric reaction products are detected optically, separating the detection process from the time-consuming cultivation process.
2Loss of time
If a conventional urine dipstick is used for early UTI detection, then loss of time is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates with nitrite sensitivity at 80-85%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a quantitative copy of the dipstick measurement process. Instead of relying on visual color comparison (80-85% accuracy), the system uses photodetectors to measure the actual light absorption at specific wavelengths (520nm for nitrite, 450nm for leukocyte esterase), providing objective quantitative data that improves precision while maintaining rapid detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual visual assessment mechanism with an automated optical detection system. The sensing unit uses light sources to illuminate the reagent strip, photodetectors to measure light absorption, and signal processing to quantify the results, eliminating the subjectivity and inaccuracy of manual color reading.
3Ease of operation
If manual urine specimen collection is performed for dipstick testing, then ease of operation is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to pain and privacy sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a diaper as an intermediary medium that passively collects urine without requiring manual handling. The sensing unit is integrated into the diaper, allowing urine to be absorbed and detected automatically as the child wears the diaper, eliminating the need for caregivers to manually collect samples which causes discomfort and privacy issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service detection by automatically sensing urine composition through the diaper material. The sensing unit continuously monitors urine markers without requiring external intervention, making the detection process invisible and non-intrusive to the patient while maintaining ease of operation.
4Measurement precision
If multiple dipstick tests are performed to filter false alarms, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into multiple independent sensing units, each detecting different UTI markers (nitrite, leukocyte esterase, bacteria). This allows parallel detection of multiple parameters simultaneously, providing comprehensive UTI assessment in a single test rather than requiring multiple sequential dipstick tests.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing unit is designed as a multi-functional device that can detect multiple UTI markers simultaneously using different reagent strips and photodetector wavelengths. This universal detection capability provides comprehensive UTI screening in one test, eliminating the need for multiple separate tests to filter false alarms.
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 system enables early and non-invasive detection of UTIs with improved accuracy and minimal manual effort, reducing the risk of complications by providing quick and reliable results, suitable for daily monitoring and use in vulnerable populations.
Implementation Method 1
a reagent strip containing one or more colorimetric reagents for reacting with a targeted compound
Implementation Method 2
at least one sensor for measuring photocurrent data from the reagent strip
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, kits, and methods for detecting and quantifying targeted compounds within a liquid (such as urine) are provided. Such systems, devices, and methods may be autonomous, noninvasive, and provide quick and accurate results. The systems and devices are at least partially disposable (single-use) and configured to be embedded within or applied to a conventional diaper or the like. Methods for using the systems and devices hereof include receiving a liquid to be tested within a portion of a disposable device, allowing the liquid to traverse through one or more channels defined within the device in a controlled fashion, reacting the liquid with one or more chemical reagents, using a sensing unit to collect photocurrent data regarding the chemical reach on(s), and wirelessly transmitting that data to a computing unit for storage and quantitative analysis.