Porous Membrane Test Strip Assembly for Consistent Fluid Exposure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dipstick designs for analyzing bodily fluids suffer from inconsistent results due to uncontrolled exposure of detection labels to the fluid, varying reaction times, and unpredictable volume of liquid, leading to spurious and inconsistent test outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A test strip assembly with a basal layer, adhesive layers, and a porous membrane that allows controlled lateral flow of bodily fluids, enabling partial dipping and uniform exposure of detection labels, combined with a housing for controlled flow and reading using a handheld device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the dipstick is inserted such that all detection labels encounter the liquid, then the detection labels are exposed to the analyte, but the exposure time and volume of liquid are uncontrolled leading to inconsistent results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous membrane as a flow control element that regulates the movement of bodily fluid along the test strip. The porous structure allows controlled capillary flow of the analyte past the detection labels, ensuring consistent exposure time and volume without requiring complex mechanical control mechanisms. This resolves the contradiction by using material properties rather than complex device structures to achieve precise control.
2Measurement precision
If the dipstick is kept in the liquid for a longer time, then the substrate has more time to interact with the detection reagent, but the test time increases and results may become spurious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes capillary hydraulic flow through the porous membrane to control the movement and residence time of the analyte along the test strip. The capillary forces drive the fluid at a controlled rate, ensuring sufficient reaction time between the substrate and detection reagent while preventing excessive exposure that would lead to spurious results. This hydraulic control mechanism achieves optimal reaction completeness within a controlled time frame without requiring external power or complex timing mechanisms.
3Quantity of substance
If the volume of liquid available for reaction is increased, then more analyte is available for detection, but the exposure becomes uncontrolled and leads to inconsistent results
Solution Approach 1:
The porous membrane serves as a flow restrictor that controls the volume and rate of analyte delivery to the detection labels. The porous structure's capillary properties regulate fluid flow, ensuring a consistent and controlled volume of liquid interacts with each detection label. This eliminates the inconsistency caused by uncontrolled liquid volumes while still providing sufficient analyte for accurate detection.
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
Ensures accurate and quick analysis by controlling the exposure of bodily fluids to detection labels, reducing variability and enhancing test consistency.
Implementation Method 1
The porous membrane is present over the first adhesive layer... The direction of flow of the liquid analyte or bodily fluid is lateral i.e. along the membrane
Implementation Method 2
The detection labels are made up of an absorbent carrier impregnated with reagents that change colour upon a chemical reaction with a metabolite
Data Source
AI summary
A test strip assembly 101 for dipping in a bodily fluid sample to analyse a presence or absence of one or more analytes is provided. The test strip assembly 101 includes a basal layer (1), a first adhesive layer (2) that is entirely present over the basal layer (1) a porous membrane (3) that is present over the first adhesive layer (2) and the bodily fluid flows in a lateral direction in the porous membrane (3); a second adhesive layer (4); and a number of detection labels (5) placed on the porous membrane through the adhesive layer (4) and receives bodily fluids flowing in the lateral direction in the porous membrane such that the bodily fluids then flow in a vertical direction in the detection labels (5). A device including the test strip assembly (101) is provided.