Resistive Encoding Biosensor Strip for Compact Calibration Data Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biosensor systems face challenges in efficiently coding information onto test strips for accurate analyte measurement, particularly due to limited information capacity and significant surface area usage for coding, leading to potential errors in calibration and analyte concentration determination.
Innovation Solution
The development of an analyte test sensor strip featuring a non-conductive substrate with a primary resistive element in a serpentine configuration and a secondary resistive element with taps, allowing for a unique resistive path that encodes attributes such as calibration data, manufacturing information, and lot identification, enabling precise measurement and calibration adjustments within the test meter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If prior art attempts to code information onto the test strip, then information can be transferred to the test meter, but the amount of information is severely limited and large amounts of test strip surface area are used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hierarchical coding structure where an outer resistive element provides primary coding and an inner resistive element provides secondary coding. The inner element is nested within the spatial footprint of the outer element, allowing multiple layers of information to be encoded in a compact arrangement. This nested configuration enables significantly increased information capacity while minimizing the surface area consumed on the test strip.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface coding to three-dimensional spatial utilization by stacking resistive elements in vertical layers. The outer resistive element and inner resistive element are positioned at different heights above the substrate, creating a multi-layer coding structure. This vertical dimensionality allows more information to be encoded without proportionally increasing the horizontal surface area footprint.
2Measurement precision
If calibration information is not used, then the measurement device may not complete the analysis or may make wrong analysis, but using external ROM keys increases device complexity and potential for human error
Solution Approach 1:
The test strip autonomously carries its own calibration information encoded in the resistive elements, eliminating the need for external ROM keys or separate calibration devices. The test meter automatically reads the calibration data directly from the integrated strip coding, removing manual calibration steps and reducing opportunities for human error while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the calibration information storage function with the test strip itself by encoding calibration data in the resistive elements that are part of the strip structure. This merging of calibration and testing functions into a single integrated unit eliminates the need for separate calibration keys or external memory devices, simplifying the overall system while ensuring accurate calibration is always available.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single test meter analyzes several different types of test strips, then versatility is improved, but proper identification of the test strip type becomes more critical and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the identification function into multiple segments: the outer resistive element provides primary identification information while the inner resistive element provides secondary identification information. This segmented coding approach allows the test meter to read identification data in stages, improving reliability of strip type identification across multiple strip varieties without significantly increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer resistive coding system provides feedback to the test meter about the specific strip type and configuration. The test meter reads the resistance values from both outer and inner elements to determine strip identity, ensuring proper identification before proceeding with analysis. This feedback mechanism enables versatile support for multiple strip types while maintaining accurate identification through redundant coding layers.
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 allows for efficient encoding of multiple attributes on the test strip, enhancing the accuracy and precision of analyte measurements by eliminating the need for external calibration keys and reducing human error, while optimizing the use of surface area for information transfer.
Implementation Method 1
an inner or secondary resistive element is also formed on the non-conductive substrate having a tap connected to the primary resistive element at a predetermined connection point on the predetermined configuration thereby defining a unique resistive path through at least a portion of the predetermined configuration. The unique resistive path has associated therewith a resistance falling within a respective one of a plurality of ranges of resistances.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor includes a non-conductive substrate and a circuit on the non-conductive substrate. The circuit includes a primary resistive element on the non-conductive substrate having a first end and a second end, wherein the primary resistive element has a predetermined configuration; a secondary resistive element on the non-conductive substrate having a plurality of taps connected to the primary resistive element at a plurality of predetermined connection points on the predetermined configuration, the plurality of predetermined connection points defining a plurality of unique resistive paths through at least a portion of the predetermined configuration; and the plurality of unique resistive paths having a plurality of resistance values, the plurality resistance values determined using a non-linear distribution function. A sensor is configured to perform at least one of quantitative and qualitative analysis of an analyte in a sample of fluid.