Sealed Lateral Flow Device with Integrated Desiccant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional lateral flow testing devices are inefficient in terms of packaging material usage and storage space due to their sealed design within impermeable bags, leading to excessive material consumption and waste.
Innovation Solution
A sealed lateral flow device design featuring a test strip within a base structure and a removable, airtight cover that eliminates the need for external packaging, incorporating a desiccant to control moisture, and allowing for easy stacking and storage of multiple units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional lateral flow devices are sealed within impermeable bags with moisture absorbent packets, then the test strip is protected from moisture, but packaging material usage and storage space increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the moisture-absorbing function directly into the base structure by incorporating a hydrophilic material layer that absorbs and binds water molecules, eliminating the need for separate moisture absorbent packets and external impermeable packaging. This merging of protection functions into the device structure itself reduces packaging material usage while maintaining test strip reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the external impermeable bag and separate moisture packet from the packaging system. Instead, the base structure itself provides the moisture protection function through its integrated hydrophilic layer, removing unnecessary packaging components and reducing material waste.
2Reliability
If traditional lateral flow devices use external impermeable bags for sealing, then the test strip is protected from environmental factors, but storage space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the test strip is disposed within a recess of the base structure, and the removable cover fits over the base structure with sealing engagement. This nested arrangement protects the test strip from environmental factors while compacting the overall device volume, improving storage space efficiency compared to external bag packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sealing function is merged into the removable cover and base structure assembly, which forms an integrated sealed environment. This eliminates the need for external impermeable bags, reducing the overall volume occupied during storage and shipping while maintaining environmental protection.
3Reliability
If traditional lateral flow devices are packaged in excessive materials, then the test strip is well-protected, but manufacturing costs and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the excessive external packaging materials (impermeable bags, separate moisture packets) from the manufacturing process. The base structure with its integrated hydrophilic layer and the removable cover provide sufficient protection, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing material costs while maintaining test strip protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable cover is designed as a disposable component that can be easily manufactured and replaced. This simple, cost-effective sealing mechanism provides adequate protection without requiring expensive, complex packaging materials, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability.
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 design reduces material usage and costs, minimizes waste, and maintains the integrity of the test strip while enabling efficient storage and shipping, while also simplifying user access to the test strip.
Implementation Method 1
the removable cover is fixed to the based structure and sealingly encloses the test strip within the base structure. Moreover, the removable cover also forms an airtight seal with the base structure
Implementation Method 2
the sealed lateral flow device may further include a desiccant or other moisture absorber that is enclosed within the airtight seal when the removable cover is fixed to the base structure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A sealed lateral flow device includes a test strip, a base structure, and a removable cover fixed to the base structure. The test strip includes one or more of a sample application zone, a detection zone, and a liquid collection zone. The test strip is disposed within a bottom section of the base structure. The removeable cover fixed to the base structure sealingly encloses the test strip within the base structure and forms an airtight seal of the base structure.