Layered Optical Test Strip for Ambient-Light Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical measurement devices using consumer-electronics face challenges from ambient light interference, light reflection, and other factors, leading to increased complexity, user inconvenience, and error rates in determining analyte concentrations in bodily fluids without additional hardware.
Innovation Solution
An optical test strip design with a layered structure featuring a bottom layer, top layer, and spacer layer, including a first and second region for ambient light correction, and a capillary element for sample application, allowing simultaneous imaging and reference measurement to minimize environmental light effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ambient light correction is performed using additional hardware, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an optical copy of the test field region that would be visible under ambient light conditions (without the chemical reaction) and uses this copy as a reference to subtract ambient light effects from the actual measurement. This software-based approach replaces the need for additional hardware reference regions or control strips, achieving ambient light correction through image processing algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/optical hardware solutions (additional reference regions, control strips, or specialized lighting systems) with a software-based image processing approach. By capturing images of the test field and using computational algorithms to remove ambient light contributions, the system achieves precision comparable to hardware solutions without the added complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple reference regions are added to the test strip, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the test field region serve multiple functions: it acts as both the analytical region where the chemical reaction occurs and as the reference region for ambient light correction. By capturing an image of the test field before the chemical reaction fully develops (or using a portion of the same image), the system obtains reference data without requiring separate reference regions, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining correction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the reference function with the test field region itself. Instead of having separate reference regions that would require additional manufacturing steps, the system uses the test field region for both measurement and reference purposes, combining multiple functions into a single region and simplifying the overall test strip structure.
3Measurement precision
If simultaneous imaging and reference measurement are performed, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs ambient light correction continuously throughout the measurement process by capturing images at multiple time points. Rather than requiring separate reference measurements, the system continuously monitors the test field and uses the captured images to correct for ambient light variations in real-time, maintaining precision without adding significant time overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the reference measurement preliminarily by capturing an image of the test field region before the chemical reaction fully develops or by using early-timepoint images as reference. This preliminary capture of reference data allows for efficient subtraction of ambient light effects from subsequent measurements, avoiding the need for separate reference measurement steps and reducing overall time consumption.
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 solution reduces the impact of ambient light and other factors on measurement accuracy by enabling simultaneous imaging and correction, enhancing reliability and reducing user complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a test chemical which is configured for performing an optically detectable detection reaction in response to contact with the analyte
Implementation Method 2
a capillary element for receiving the sample
Data Source
AI summary
An optical test strip (118) for measuring an analyte concentration in a sample of bodily fluid is disclosed. The optical test strip (118) comprises:a) a bottom layer (116) having a first end (130);b) a top layer (110) having a first end (132) essentially aligned with the first end (130) of the bottom layer (116);c) at least one spacer layer (114) interposed between the bottom layer (116) and the top layer (110), the spacer layer (114) having a length shorter than the bottom layer (116) and shorter than the top layer (110) such that the top layer (110) and the bottom layer (116) protrude over the spacer layer (114), wherein the first end (130) of the bottom layer (116), the first end (132) of the top layer (110), and the spacer layer (114) form a sample receiving area (140) which at least partially has capillary properties for receiving the sample of bodily fluid; andd) at least one test field (112), wherein the test field (112) comprises a test chemical being configured for performing an optically detectable detection reaction with the analyte, wherein the test field (112) comprises at least one first region (126) and at least one second region (128), wherein the first region (126) faces the sample receiving area (140), wherein the first region (126) is configured to be at least partly wetted by the sample of bodily fluid upon sample application, wherein the second region (128) is covered by the spacer layer (114) such that the second region (128) is essentially inaccessible for the sample of bodily fluid.