Dry Reagent Strip for Portable Liquid Analyzer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing threat liquid detection devices for mass transit are costly, require excessive equipment and packaging, pose health risks due to hazardous reagents, and are not suitable for air shipping, while also needing multiple tests for different threats and lengthy analytical times.
Innovation Solution
A system using a solid support coated with dry chemical reagents that provide a presumptive color indication for identifying target molecules or ions, allowing for single-test detection of various energetic liquids and precursors without hazardous materials or electronic components, utilizing a swab for sample transfer and packaged in moisture and UV-resistant materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If commercially available spot test devices use hazardous acidic or alkaline liquid reagents to facilitate presumptive chemical reactions, then the detection capability is achieved, but operator safety and health risks deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of reagents from liquid to dry powder form. This parameter change eliminates the need for hazardous liquid handling while maintaining chemical reactivity, thereby improving operator safety without sacrificing detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable dry reagent strips that are single-use items. Each strip contains pre-measured dry reagents that react with the sample and are then discarded, eliminating the need for repeated handling of hazardous liquid reagents and reducing cumulative operator exposure risks
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different test devices from several manufacturers are used to identify several threat energetic liquids, then the detection versatility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal testing system where a single device can identify multiple types of threat energetic liquids. The system uses a common platform with interchangeable or selectable reagent strips designed for different analytes, allowing one device to perform multiple detection functions that previously required separate devices from different manufacturers
3Reliability
If glass ampoules and reinforced heavy duty plastic baggies are used for packaging hazardous chemical reagents, then reagent protection is achieved, but device portability and air shipping compliance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable dry reagent strips that are self-contained and do not require robust packaging for reuse. The dry powder format eliminates the need for glass ampoules and heavy-duty containment, allowing lightweight packaging that meets air shipping requirements while maintaining reagent integrity through the entire product lifecycle
Solution Approach 2:
Changing reagents from liquid to dry powder form fundamentally alters packaging requirements. Dry reagents can be packaged in lightweight, non-pressurized containers that are compliant with air shipping regulations, eliminating the need for heavy glass and reinforced plastic packaging required for hazardous liquid reagents
4Measurement precision
If multi-step reaction sequences are used to test a single unknown analyte, then detection accuracy is improved, but analytical time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reagent functions into a single integrated dry reagent strip. The strip contains multiple dry reagent components that simultaneously or sequentially react with the analyte in one application step, merging what would traditionally require multiple separate testing steps into a single operation that maintains detection accuracy while reducing analytical time
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 reduces manufacturing costs, minimizes hazardous reagent exposure, simplifies testing, and enables rapid, single-step identification of multiple threats, making it cost-effective, portable, and safe for use by untrained personnel.
Implementation Method 1
Each chemical reagent produces a presumptive color indication that identifies or excludes the presence of a target molecule or ion
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for identifying the presence of a target molecule or ion. The system comprises a solid support, and at least one chemical reagent applied to the solid support. Each chemical reagent produces a presumptive color indication that identifies or excludes the presence of a target molecule or ion.