Hydrophobic Lotus Coating for Diagnostic Test Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test elements for diagnostic devices, particularly blood sugar measuring systems, face contamination risks due to excess sample material adhering to the outer surfaces, which can contaminate the measuring instrument and storage environments, especially during restorage and transport.
Innovation Solution
A hydrophobic structured coating, known as a lotus surface, is applied to the test elements around the capillary gap and application zone, preventing sample material from adhering to the outer surfaces and ensuring it is directed into the capillary channel, thereby reducing contamination and facilitating precise dosing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If test elements are coated with conventional hydrophobic materials (surfactants, waxes, Teflon, silicon agents), then water repellency is improved, but contamination prevention is insufficient and construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a porous hydrophobic structured coating (lotus surface) on the test element surface. This porous structure with specific pore size distribution creates enhanced hydrophobicity through capillary pressure effects, preventing sample material adhesion more effectively than conventional smooth hydrophobic coatings while maintaining a relatively simple single-layer construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structure combining hydrophobic base material with porous structure. The combination of hydrophobic chemical properties and physical porous morphology creates synergistic effect for sample material repulsion, achieving better contamination prevention than either property alone
2Productivity
If test elements use hydrophilic capillary structure for sample transport, then sample transport efficiency is improved, but contamination risk of outer surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface properties to different areas: the capillary channel interior maintains hydrophilic properties for efficient sample transport, while the outer surface receives hydrophobic porous coating for contamination prevention. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between transport efficiency and contamination risk
3Ease of operation
If excess sample material is allowed to remain on test element surface, then sample application simplicity is improved, but contamination and hygiene problems worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of excess sample material into a beneficial outcome. The hydrophobic porous coating causes excess sample material to automatically bead up and roll off the surface, transforming the potential contamination problem into a self-cleaning mechanism that enhances hygiene without complicating the application process
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 hydrophobic structured coating effectively prevents contamination of the measuring device and storage environments by ensuring that only the capillary gap is wetted, allowing for accurate dosing and reducing the risk of sample material adhering to the test element, thus enhancing hygiene and storage safety.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophobic structured coating at least in the area surrounding the capillary gap
Implementation Method 2
When test elements are coated with hydrophobic structured surfaces that are also known under the name lotus surfaces
Implementation Method 3
a channel or gap for transporting liquid from the application zone to the detection zone
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns coated test elements and in particular test elements comprising a capillary gap which have a hydrophobic structured coating at least in the area surrounding the capillary gap.