Remote Analysis for Immunochromatographic Readings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for evaluating analytes in liquid samples using immunochromatographic devices are complex, costly, and lack reliability and scalability, particularly for home monitoring and clinical trials, due to compatibility issues and the need for local analysis.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a portable reading device with image acquisition and transmission capabilities, connected to a remote analysis device via telecommunications, allowing for centralized processing and result provision, which is simple in design and affordable, enabling widespread use and improved reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complete evaluation device with image processing and analysis capabilities is integrated into a single portable unit, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation system is divided into two separate components: a simple portable reading device for image acquisition and a remote analysis device for image processing and analysis. This segmentation allows the reading device to remain simple and portable while the analysis functions are performed remotely, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication interface serves as an intermediary between the reading device and the analysis device, transmitting image data from the portable device to the remote analysis system. This intermediary enables the separation of functions while maintaining system integration and reliability.
2Measurement precision
If calibration data is stored locally in each evaluation device, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to dedicated calibration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis device is designed to be universal and can process images from multiple different immunochromatographic devices. By centralizing the analysis function, the system eliminates the need for each device to have dedicated calibration data, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining precision through centralized calibration management.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of embedding calibration data in each device, the system uses a centralized analysis device that can handle and process images from multiple sources. This copying approach allows the same analysis algorithm and calibration to be applied across different devices, reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If analysis is performed locally on each device, then reliability is improved, but adaptability and scalability are reduced when pooling results for clinical trials
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the analysis functions into a centralized remote device that can process results from multiple reading devices. This combination enables result pooling and centralized management, improving adaptability for clinical trials while maintaining reliability through consistent analysis protocols applied across all devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized analysis device provides feedback and standardized processing to multiple reading devices, ensuring consistent and reliable analysis across the network. This feedback mechanism maintains reliability while enabling scalable result pooling and centralized control.
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
This solution provides a cost-effective, reliable, and scalable method for qualitative and quantitative analyte evaluation, enhancing safety and reliability by allowing centralized analysis and reducing calibration complexities, thus suitable for home monitoring and clinical trials.
Implementation Method 1
when the liquid sample to be analyzed is deposited on the support, the latter migrates along the membrane by a phenomenon of capillarity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for the qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation of at least one analyte likely to be contained in a liquid sample deposited on an immunochromatographic device (2). The evaluation system (1) comprises a reading device (3) and an analysis device (5) that are structurally separate from one another. The reading device (3) comprises means (31) for receiving said immunochromatographic device (2), and means (32) for acquiring at least one digital image of its display area (24). The analysis device (5) comprises means (51) for processing the at least one digital image, which are suitable for the qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation of the at least one analyte likely to be contained in the liquid sample, and means for outputting the result of the evaluation. The evaluation system (1) comprises means (4, 33) for transmitting, via a telecommunications network (R), the at least one digital image acquired from the reading device (3) to the remote analysis device (5).