Glucose Test Strip Electrode Segmentation for Hematocrit Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical glucose test strips are affected by hematocrit variations in blood samples, leading to inaccurate glucose readings due to interference from red blood cells, which current strategies struggle to fully correct.
Innovation Solution
An analyte measurement system that includes a test strip with multiple electrodes and a microprocessor-controlled meter, which applies specific electrical signals to determine physical characteristics of the sample, such as hematocrit, and adjusts the sampling time to correct for these variations, ensuring accurate glucose concentration measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hematocrit correction strategies are implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The test strip is segmented into multiple functional electrode regions: a first working electrode for primary glucose measurement, a second working electrode for hematocrit determination, and a reference electrode. This segmentation allows simultaneous measurement of both glucose and hematocrit to enable correction algorithms that improve accuracy without requiring complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochemical test strip is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple working electrodes that serve different purposes: one for glucose detection and another for hematocrit measurement. This universal design allows a single device to perform both measurements, enabling the system to compensate for hematocrit effects and improve glucose reading accuracy without adding separate devices or complex mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If multiple electrodes are added to correct hematocrit effects, then measurement precision improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrode functions are merged into a single integrated test strip structure. The first working electrode, second working electrode, and reference electrode are all incorporated into one strip during a single manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing manufacturing complexity despite the increased functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameters of the test strip by incorporating multiple electrodes with different configurations and reagent compositions. This allows the system to measure both glucose and hematocrit simultaneously, improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized electrochemical manufacturing processes.
3Reliability
If hematocrit measurement and correction is implemented, then reliability of glucose monitoring improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by measuring hematocrit levels through the second working electrode and using this information to correct the glucose measurement from the first working electrode. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically compensate for hematocrit effects, improving reliability while keeping the processing algorithm relatively simple and integrated into the meter.
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 provides accurate glucose readings by effectively accounting for hematocrit-induced biases, reducing errors and improving the reliability of blood glucose monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of electrodes comprises: physical characteristic sensing electrodes spaced apart from and not in contact with the reagent; a first working electrode and a second working electrode; and a reference electrode
Implementation Method 2
The reactions that can occur in a glucose test strip are summarized below in Equations 1 and 2. As illustrated in Equation 1, glucose is oxidized to gluconic acid by the oxidized form of glucose oxidase (GO (ox) )
Implementation Method 3
In particular, the transfer of electrons across the electrical interface results in the flow of a test current (2 moles of electrons for every mole of glucose that is oxidized)
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Various embodiments for a method that allow for a more accurate analyte concentration with a biosensor by determining at least one physical characteristic of the sample and determining whether a counter or reference electrode is causing an error by monitoring the working electrodes and flagging an error if the signal outputs of the working electrodes do not meet certain thresholds.