Oral Interstitial Fluid Capture for At-Home Electrolyte Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring electrolyte levels are inconvenient and limited to medical professionals, preventing the general public from accurately assessing their electrolyte balance, leading to unnecessary consumption of electrolyte-replenishing products.
Innovation Solution
An oral appliance that draws interstitial fluid from the mouth using a hypertonic solution and semipermeable membrane, allowing users to capture and analyze electrolytes with easy-to-use test strips without medical intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If blood samples are sent to a laboratory for electrolyte measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrolyte measurement function from the laboratory setting and brings it to the consumer level through oral fluid collection devices and portable testing systems, eliminating the need for blood samples and laboratory processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses oral fluid as an intermediary medium to obtain electrolyte information without requiring direct blood sampling, and employs test strips or portable analyzers as intermediary devices to perform measurements outside the laboratory
2Measurement precision
If blood samples are sent to a laboratory for electrolyte measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables individuals to perform their own electrolyte measurements at home using simple oral fluid collection and portable testing devices, eliminating the time loss associated with traveling to and waiting at a laboratory
3Ease of operation
If electrolyte-replenishing products are consumed without knowledge of actual electrolyte levels, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase due to unnecessary consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides real-time feedback on actual electrolyte levels through portable measurement devices, enabling individuals to make informed decisions about electrolyte supplementation and avoid unnecessary or excessive 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
Enables users to easily and accurately assess electrolyte levels, reducing unnecessary consumption of electrolyte products and eliminating the need for blood or urine samples, while being cost-effective and user-friendly.
Implementation Method 1
draws interstitial fluid from the mouth using a hypertonic solution and semipermeable membrane
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the inventive concept include an interstitial fluid capture device configured to capture an interstitial fluid sample from the mouth of a user, an electrolyte measurement kit including said device, and a method for measuring electrolyte levels using said device. An exemplary device includes a main body portion configured for placement in the mouth of a user, the main body portion including a reservoir containing a hypertonic solution and having an opening that is sealed by a semipermeable membrane that permits a sample of interstitial fluid from the mouth of the user to be drawn through the membrane and into the solution reservoir. Various analyses may be performed on the captured interstitial fluid sample after removal of the device, including but not limited to, the assessment of one or more electrolyte levels through the use of various test strips or other techniques.