Modular Analyte Meter With Removable Strip Port
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dedicated hospital analyte measurement devices often suffer from contamination issues due to heavy use and disinfection protocols, leading to inaccurate readings and costly replacements, and are cumbersome for neonatal screening, lacking portability and functionality for multiple patient use.
Innovation Solution
A modular analyte measurement system featuring a removable strip port module connected to the analyte meter via a physical or wireless interface, allowing for bedside testing and reducing the need for frequent meter disinfection, with the module being designed for sterile use and easy data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated hospital analyte measurement device is used, then functionality and measurement capability are improved, but contamination risk increases due to heavy use and disinfection protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two main segments: a reusable analyte meter and a disposable strip port module. The strip port module contains the test strip receptacle and associated components, while the meter contains the processing electronics. This segmentation allows the contamination-prone strip port to be easily replaced without affecting the main meter, thus reducing contamination risk while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The strip port module is extracted from the main meter body and made removable. This allows the strip port to be separated and disposed of after use, taking the contamination burden away from the reusable meter. The extraction enables the meter to remain clean and functional while the disposable module handles all contamination exposure.
2Measurement precision
If the strip port becomes contaminated, then measurement accuracy deteriorates, but replacing the entire meter is costly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into a permanent meter and a disposable strip port module, the system allows replacement of only the contaminated strip port rather than the entire meter. This maintains measurement accuracy by providing a fresh, uncontaminated strip port while avoiding the high cost of replacing the complete meter assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The strip port module is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after use or when contaminated. This eliminates the need to recover or clean the strip port, ensuring measurement accuracy is never compromised by contamination while recovering the expensive meter body for continued use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated hospital meter is used, then professional functionality is improved, but portability deteriorates making it cumbersome for neonatal screening
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the heavy, feature-rich analyte meter from the lightweight strip port module. The strip port module can be used independently at the patient's bedside without requiring the main meter, providing portability for neonatal screening while the full-featured meter remains available for comprehensive hospital use.
Solution Approach 2:
The essential testing functionality is extracted into the portable strip port module, which can be used independently for bedside testing. This allows neonatal screening to be performed with a lightweight module while the full professional functionality remains available in the main meter when needed.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the meter is disinfected frequently, then contamination is reduced, but device durability deteriorates due to harsh cleaning agents
Solution Approach 1:
The disinfection burden is extracted from the main meter and transferred to the disposable strip port module. The strip port module can be disposed of after exposure to harsh disinfectants, protecting the durable meter body from degradation while still achieving contamination control.
Solution Approach 2:
The strip port module is designed as a disposable, low-cost component that can withstand harsh disinfection protocols. By sacrificing this inexpensive module rather than the expensive meter, the system maintains contamination control while preserving the durability and lifespan of the main device.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular analyte measurement system having a removable strip port module. In one embodiment, the analyte measurement system includes: an analyte meter; a removable strip port module; and a connector linking the removable strip port module to the analyte meter. The analyte meter includes: a meter housing; a receptacle formed in the meter housing; a processing circuit disposed within the housing; and an input interface within the receptacle and electrically coupled to the processing circuit. The removable strip port module includes: a module housing sized to at least partially fit within the receptacle of the analyte meter; an analyte test strip port disposed within the module housing to receive an analyte test strip via an aperture formed in the module housing; and an output interface coupled to the analyte test strip port. The connector links the output interface with the input interface.