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, leaving the general public without a simple and accurate means to assess their electrolyte balance, often 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 measure electrolytes with easy-to-use test strips, eliminating the need for blood or urine samples and medical intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If blood or urine samples are used for electrolyte measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requirement for medical professional intervention and complex sampling procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts interstitial fluid from the oral cavity using a specialized capture device, separating the sampling function from traditional blood or urine collection methods. This extraction approach enables direct access to interstitial fluid in a convenient location (mouth) without requiring invasive procedures or medical professionals, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (hypertonic solution) that facilitates the transfer of interstitial fluid from the oral cavity into the capture device. This intermediary mechanism enables passive fluid transfer through osmosis, eliminating the need for active sampling procedures and further enhancing ease of operation while ensuring accurate fluid collection for electrolyte measurement.
2Reliability
If traditional electrolyte testing methods are used, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requirement for laboratory facilities and medical professionals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable test strips that can be easily inserted into the fluid capture device to perform electrolyte measurements. These single-use test strips eliminate the need for expensive, complex laboratory equipment and trained personnel, significantly reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining measurement reliability through standardized test protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service electrolyte testing by designing a user-friendly system where individuals can independently collect interstitial fluid samples and perform measurements without requiring medical professionals or laboratory facilities. The integrated device and test strips allow consumers to monitor their own electrolyte levels, reducing dependence on complex external testing infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If interstitial fluid is captured using hypertonic solution and semipermeable membrane, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a flexible semipermeable membrane to seal the fluid capture chamber, allowing the device to conform to the oral cavity geometry while maintaining sealing integrity. This flexible membrane approach simplifies manufacturing compared to rigid sealing mechanisms and reduces precision requirements by accommodating variations in device placement and oral anatomy through material flexibility rather than dimensional precision.
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, promoting informed consumption of electrolyte products and reducing unnecessary intake, 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 the device, and a method for measuring electrolyte levels using the 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.