Lateral Flow Test Strip Holder With Wicking Membrane
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing point-of-care testing systems for blood analytes, particularly those using lateral flow test strips, require cumbersome cassettes for support, which are costly and inefficient in material usage, limiting their integration with meters designed for vertical flow test strips.
Innovation Solution
A compact test strip holder system that accommodates lateral flow test strips, featuring a lid and base design with a wicking membrane, allowing efficient fluid flow and alignment with existing meter optics, enabling integration with meters like the CardioChek® series, and reducing material usage and sample requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cassette holder is used to support the lateral flow test strip, then the test strip can be handled without contamination, but the system becomes complex and requires excessive material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of the cassette holder (support and protection of the test strip) and implements it through a simplified base cavity structure rather than a complete cassette assembly. The base cavity receives and positions the lateral flow test strip and wicking membrane, providing necessary support without the complexity of a full cassette design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a thin wicking membrane as the primary functional component instead of a rigid cassette structure. The wicking membrane serves multiple functions: supporting the test strip, managing fluid flow, and interfacing with the dosing window, thereby eliminating the need for a complex holder while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a cassette holder is used to support the lateral flow test strip, then the test strip can be handled without contamination, but material usage increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential material components needed for contamination prevention (base cavity and wicking membrane) rather than using a complete cassette assembly. This selective extraction significantly reduces material usage while maintaining the protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, disposable base and wicking membrane assembly that can be manufactured at low cost. The base cavity provides minimal necessary protection, and the wicking membrane serves as a single-use fluid management component, reducing overall material consumption compared to reusable or complex cassette designs.
3Quantity of substance
If excess fluid flows on top of the lateral flow test strip, then fluid delivery may be insufficient, but the structure becomes more complex to control fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the lid flush with the top of the lateral flow test strip at the specific location where fluid flow control is needed. This localized design prevents excess fluid from flowing on top of the test strip without requiring complex flow control structures throughout the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates equipotentiality in fluid flow by designing the lid and base interface to provide uniform pressure distribution across the test strip area. The flush mounting of the lid ensures that fluid pressure is evenly distributed, preventing pooling or excessive flow in any particular area while maintaining adequate fluid delivery.
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 cost-effective integration of lateral flow test strips with meters, reducing material costs and sample volume needs, while ensuring efficient testing with minimal contamination risks and quick response times.
Implementation Method 1
a wicking membrane, wherein the wicking membrane is located under the dosing window
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A system of detecting a blood analyte includes a lateral flow test strip and a test strip holder, the lateral flow test strip located in the test strip holder. The system further includes a meter for receiving the test strip holder.