Customized Flushable Test Strips With Personalized Diagnostic Follow-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional test strips are not flushable in sewer systems due to hydrophobic materials that prevent reagent mixing, and they lack customization for individual users, hindering efficient disposal and diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
Customizable, flushable test strips with water-soluble substrates and hydrophobic coatings that allow small sample dispensing, combined with a system for analyzing and comparing analyte levels to provide personalized diagnostic metrics and follow-up tests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If hydrophobic material is used to prevent reagent mixing on test strips, then reagent stability is improved, but disposability in sewer system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The test strip is divided into multiple functional layers: a hydrophobic barrier layer to prevent reagent mixing, and a separate water-soluble substrate layer that dissolves in sewer systems. This segmentation allows each layer to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The test strip uses composite materials combining hydrophobic materials (for reagent protection) with water-soluble materials (for disposability). The hydrophobic coating is applied only to specific reagent areas, while the substrate and other layers remain water-soluble, creating a material composite that achieves both reagent stability and sewer-system disposability.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional test strips are designed for immersion in liquid samples, then sample absorption is improved, but customization for individual users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static, one-size-fits-all test strips to dynamic, customizable configurations. The software platform allows real-time customization of test strip parameters (analytes tested, reference ranges, alert thresholds) based on individual user profiles, medical history, and treatment plans, enabling each user to have a dynamically adapted test strip configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where test results automatically update user profiles, adjust future test parameters, and trigger alerts when thresholds are exceeded. This continuous feedback enables personalized adjustments to testing protocols based on individual user responses and changing health conditions.
3Device complexity
If manual test strip analysis is used, then system simplicity is improved, but healthcare efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automated features that perform tasks without manual intervention: the detector automatically reads test strip results, the software platform automatically compares results against personalized reference ranges, automatically generates health assessments, and automatically sends alerts to users and healthcare providers when thresholds are exceeded. This self-service automation maintains simplicity for the user while dramatically improving healthcare efficiency.
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
Enables efficient disposal of test strips in sewer systems and provides personalized health assessments and diagnostic recommendations based on user-specific analyte patterns, enhancing healthcare efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
They typically include a layer of plastic of other hydrophobic material which will not break up in the sewer system
Implementation Method 2
They typically include a layer of plastic of other hydrophobic material which will not break up in the sewer system. One purpose of the hydrophobic material is to keep the different reagents that are present on test trips from mixing when the test strip is exposed to a liquid sample
Implementation Method 3
the plastic keeps the test strip from absorbing the sample and drawing the different reagents along the test strip by capillary action
Data Source
AI summary
We disclose a system which may be used to analyze data collected from a customized test strip. The customized test strip may include a set of reaction pads which are selected to address the medical needs of a specific user. The system may include a data analysis platform which analyzes the data and proposes a second customized test strip. The second test strip may comprise of a set of reaction pads that the data analysis platform selects for the user based on the analysis of the first customized test strip. The data analysis platform may propose that additional diagnostic metrics be collected from the user to assist in diagnosis. The customized test strips and the additional diagnostic metrics may be within a medical toilet.