Automated Analysis of Immunoassay Test Strip Combs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual methods for analyzing lateral flow immunoassay test strips for detecting proteins in plant material are time-consuming and prone to subjective errors, lacking efficiency and consistency in determining the presence of multiple analytes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the capture and analysis of electronic images of test strip comb members using an electronic controller, which analyzes pixel color values to determine the presence of plant analytes by locating regions of interest, thresholding, and segmenting images to accurately identify bound analytes, thereby automating the process and reducing human subjectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual methods are used to read and analyze IA lateral flow strips, then the process allows human judgment and flexibility, but the analysis is time-consuming and prone to subjective errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical reading process with an automated electronic imaging and image analysis system. A digital camera captures images of the test strip comb member, and software algorithms automatically analyze the images to detect colored bands and determine analyte presence. This substitution eliminates human subjectivity and significantly reduces analysis time while maintaining or improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (electronic image) of the physical test strip results. Instead of manually observing and interpreting the colored bands on the test strips, the system captures a digital representation that can be processed, stored, and analyzed computationally. This copying enables automated analysis and eliminates the time-consuming manual reading process.
2Productivity
If automated electronic image analysis is used to determine analyte presence, then processing speed and consistency are significantly improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional integrated system where a single electronic controller performs multiple tasks: capturing images with an integrated camera, processing the images through thresholding and segmentation algorithms, locating regions of interest, and determining analyte presence. This universal system handles the entire analysis workflow, improving productivity while managing complexity through consolidation rather than proliferation of separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The image analysis system is designed to be self-sufficient, automatically performing all necessary processing steps without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously captures images, processes them through multiple algorithmic stages (thresholding, segmentation, region localization), and generates results. This self-service capability maximizes productivity while the automated nature actually reduces operational complexity compared to manual methods.
3Loss of information
If multiple analytes are tested on each finger of the test strip comb member, then the information content increases, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring each analyte increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation to divide the test strip comb member into multiple discrete regions of interest, with each region corresponding to a specific analyte testing location on a finger. The image analysis software automatically segments the image to identify and analyze each potential colored band location independently. This segmentation enables the system to handle multiple analytes per finger by treating each analyte detection as a separate, manageable task, thus increasing information content while managing detection difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality analysis by examining specific regions of interest within each finger rather than analyzing the entire finger uniformly. The system identifies localized colored bands at specific positions corresponding to different analytes and analyzes each location's color values independently. This approach allows multiple analytes to be tested on each finger by applying different analysis criteria to different local regions, thereby increasing information content while maintaining measurement simplicity through localized analysis.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for analyzing test strip comb members having a plurality of fingers are disclosed. The systems and methods may analyze a test strip comb member to determine the presence of one more analytes on each of the plurality of fingers.