E-Gated Electrochemical Test Strip for Controlled Sample Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Point of care (POC) testing systems face challenges in convenience, disposability, and ease of use, as existing systems require complex setups and lengthy result processing times, making them less desirable for immediate analyte testing.
Innovation Solution
The development of an e-gated test strip with a first flow path and a time-dependent area, featuring an e-gate that separates the reaction or heating area from the detection area, allowing for controlled sample processing and detection using hydrophobic glass bead dielectrics or Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs), which can be electrically actuated to manage fluid flow and temperature, enabling efficient analyte testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional POC testing system is used, then analyte testing can be performed at the point of care, but the system requires complex setups and lengthy result processing times
Solution Approach 1:
The test strip is divided into distinct functional zones: a time-dependent area for sample preparation and a detection area for analyte measurement. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function efficiently, simplifying the overall system operation while maintaining portability and ease of use at the point of care
Solution Approach 2:
The time-dependent area performs preliminary actions on the sample (holding, heating, digesting) before the sample reaches the detection area. This preliminary processing occurs automatically as the sample flows through the strip, eliminating the need for complex external setup and reducing processing time while maintaining ease of operation
2Productivity
If a traditional POC testing system is used, then analyte testing can be performed at the point of care, but the result processing time is lengthy
Solution Approach 1:
Sample preparation functions (heating, digesting, concentrating) are performed in the time-dependent area before detection begins. This preliminary action occurs concurrently with sample flow through the strip, significantly reducing the time to obtain results while maintaining high productivity at the point of care
Solution Approach 2:
The sample continuously flows through the test strip from the time-dependent area to the detection area without interruption. This continuous flow allows multiple processing stages to occur simultaneously and continuously, eliminating idle time and accelerating result processing speed while maintaining efficient productivity
3Reliability
If an e-gate is used to separate the time dependent area from the detection area, then fluid flow and temperature can be precisely controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The e-gate utilizes the sample's own electrical properties (conductivity changes during digestion) to automatically control its opening and closing. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external control systems, maintaining high reliability in fluid flow and temperature control while minimizing the increase in device complexity
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 solution enhances consumer reliability, reduces manufacturing and shipping costs, and improves accuracy by allowing for precise control of fluid flow and temperature, facilitating faster and more convenient analyte testing, such as for HbA1C and hemoglobin detection.
Implementation Method 1
the e-gate is a hydrophobic glass bead dielectric
Implementation Method 2
the e-gate a Self Assembled Monolayer (SAM)
Implementation Method 3
the time dependent area is a heating area and includes a heating element in communication with the heating area of the first flow path, for heating a sample in the first flow path
Implementation Method 4
the time dependent area is a temperature change area and includes a temperature change element in communication with the temperature change area of the first flow path, for changing the temperature a sample in the first flow path
Implementation Method 5
the second flow path including an interdigitated electrode for detecting hemoglobin
Data Source
AI summary
A system for testing for an analyte includes a test strip. The test strip includes a first flow path. The test strip further includes a heating element in communication with a heating area of the first flow path, for heating a sample in the first flow path. The test strip further includes an e-gate, the e-gate in the first flow path, the e-gate separating the heating area from a detection area of the first flow path.