Portable Biological Fluid Reader for Timed Color Change Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing at-home biological fluid analysis methods using test strips are unreliable due to user difficulty in discerning color changes, uncontrolled soaking time, and latency in interpreting reagent colors, leading to inconsistent results.
Innovation Solution
A portable biological fluid sample analysis system comprising a cartridge with color-changing reagents and a reader that uses optical transceivers and an electronic control unit to automate the analysis by controlling light emission and reception, ensuring precise color detection and interpretation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If visual interpretation using color charts is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to user difficulty in discerning color changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual interpretation method with an automated optical detection system. The reader device uses light sources and photodetectors to objectively measure color changes of reagents, substituting human visual assessment with instrumental measurement. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple device operation while achieving precise, automated colorimetric analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical system between the reagent and the user. The reader device acts as a mediator that receives light from the reagent, converts it to electrical signals, and processes the data to determine analyte concentration. This intermediary system eliminates the need for users to directly interpret color changes, thereby improving measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If manual soaking time control is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to uncontrolled soaking time and latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary automated actions by the reader device. The system automatically controls the timing of sample application, reagent exposure, and measurement acquisition. The reader initiates and monitors the entire analysis sequence, ensuring consistent soaking times and eliminating latency between sample application and measurement. This maintains ease of operation for the user while significantly improving reliability through automated temporal control.
3Measurement precision
If automated optical reading is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality to the reader device, which performs multiple functions: it serves as both the measurement instrument and the data processing system. The same optical components used for color detection are integrated with microprocessors that handle signal processing, calibration, and result interpretation. This universal design improves measurement precision while limiting complexity growth by consolidating functions into a single integrated device.
4Reliability
If color change detection is automated, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to automated processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous automated monitoring of color changes. Instead of discrete manual readings at fixed time intervals, the system continuously tracks the optical properties of reagents throughout the reaction process. This continuous action ensures reliable detection of color changes at the precise moment they occur, eliminating delays associated with manual timing while maintaining rapid analysis throughput.
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 system provides reliable, automated, and user-friendly analysis of biological fluids by accurately detecting and interpreting color changes in reagents, improving the consistency and accuracy of test results.
Implementation Method 1
The electronic control unit is configured to control each optical transceiver assembly in a mode of light emission and reception of reflected light so as to perform optical reading
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method (700) for analysing a biological fluid specimen, comprising the steps of: inserting (710) the collection cartridge (412, 512, 612) into a reader (14, 114, 214); recurrent optical reading (720) of the plurality of reactive elements (432, 532, 632) of the cartridge (412, 512, 612) following insertion (110) of the cartridge (412, 512, 612); detecting (730) a first colour change of at least one reactive element (432, 532, 632) of the plurality of reactive elements (432, 532, 632) following the recurrent optical reading step (120); dating (740) the first detected colour change; analysing (750) the biological fluid specimen from the cartridge (412, 512, 612) following the detection (130) of a colour change of at least one reactive element (432, 532, 632) of the collection cartridge (412, 512, 612).