Saliva Analyte Detection Using Colorimetric Test Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current saliva testing methods are limited by their complexity, cost, and the need for laboratory analysis, which can take several days, making them inconvenient and time-consuming for both users and healthcare providers.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held device and method for collecting and analyzing saliva samples, which includes a pad of absorbent material and a test strip with a color-changing indicator. The device allows for easy collection and analysis of saliva, with results visible within minutes, and enables remote data transmission for further analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laboratory analysis is used for saliva testing, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases (5-10 working days)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the analysis function from the centralized laboratory and embeds it directly into the point-of-care device. The device includes an integrated sensor system that can detect analytes in saliva samples locally, eliminating the need to send samples to external laboratories and thus reducing the time delay from 5-10 working days to immediate or near-immediate results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a portable testing device as an intermediary between the saliva sample collection and the analysis. This device serves as a mediator that performs the analysis function locally, bridging the gap between simple home collection kits and complex laboratory analysis, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining measurement precision through calibrated sensors.
2Ease of operation
If complex biosensor devices are used for home testing, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases (expensive to produce and buy)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable test strips or cartridges that contain the necessary reagents and sensing elements. These single-use components simplify the overall device architecture by eliminating the need for complex cleaning and maintenance systems, reducing both the cost of the device and the complexity of operation for end users while maintaining ease of use at home.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing device is designed to perform self-diagnosis and self-measurement functions. The integrated sensor automatically detects analyte levels, and the device can process and display results without requiring external laboratory equipment or complex manual analysis procedures, thereby simplifying operation for home users while keeping the device relatively simple and affordable.
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 device provides a simple, cost-effective, and rapid means of analyzing saliva for analytes, reducing the time to results from days to minutes and allowing for convenient home-based testing while maintaining the accuracy needed for health monitoring and disease prediction.
Implementation Method 1
a pad of absorbent material
Implementation Method 2
The pad is pressed against the test strip to transfer a sample of saliva from the pad to the test strip
Implementation Method 3
a test strip with a color-changing indicator
Implementation Method 4
The colored reagent has been generated in accordance with analyte in a test sample
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of testing for an analyte in an individual comprises providing colour information obtained from a digital image of a coloured reagent on an analyte test strip, the coloured reagent having been generated in accordance with analyte in a test sample, converting the colour information from the image into an analyte level, recording the analyte level in association with user-specific information (e.g. a QR code), repeating the above steps to obtain two or more records of analyte levels for the same user at different times and using the records to monitor personal health or to predict the likely development of a disease or condition or to diagnose a disease or condition or to monitor a treatment regime associated with variation in analyte levels in saliva.