All-in-One Specimen Cup with Integrated Color Test Strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing color-based reaction testing methods for biological materials are cumbersome, inaccurate, and expensive due to the need for highly calibrated electronic readers and separate collection and testing devices, making them unsuitable for convenient and reliable use in smaller laboratories or at-home testing.
Innovation Solution
An all-in-one specimen cup with a built-in color-based reaction test strip and reference chart that allows for digital image capture and analysis in an uncalibrated environment, enabling accurate testing using a smartphone or similar device without the need for complex calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If highly calibrated electronic readers are used for color-based reaction testing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the collection cup, test strip holder, and reference color chart into a single integrated all-in-one cup system. The test strip is affixed to the inner surface of the lid portion, and the reference color chart is affixed to the outer surface, eliminating the need for separate collection cups and test strips while simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a digital image capture device (such as a smartphone camera) to capture an image of the test strip and reference color chart, then processes the image data to determine test results. This replaces the need for expensive electronic readers with a common digital imaging device, significantly reducing cost while maintaining measurement precision through digital image analysis.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate collection cups and test strips are used, then testing functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the collection cup, test strip mounting surface, and reference color chart display into a single all-in-one cup. The test strip is affixed to the inner surface of the lid portion, and the reference color chart is affixed to the outer surface, allowing users to perform both specimen collection and testing with one device, greatly improving ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If manual color comparison is performed, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a digital image capture device to capture an image of the test strip and reference color chart, then processes the image data to automatically compare the test pad color with the reference color chart. This provides objective feedback and eliminates subjective visual interpretation, significantly improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of operation through automated analysis.
4Measurement precision
If expensive electronic readers are used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases due to non-portable nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a digital image capture device (such as a smartphone camera) to capture an image of the test strip and reference color chart, then processes the image data to determine test results. This replaces expensive, non-portable electronic readers with a portable digital imaging device, enabling accurate testing to be performed anywhere without compromising measurement precision.
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 enables accurate, convenient, and cost-effective color-based reaction testing of biological materials, allowing for mobile and remote testing with higher precision and ease of use, eliminating the need for expensive equipment and complex calibration processes.
Implementation Method 1
The all-in-one specimen cup is configured to pass the biological specimen, at least under the force of gravity, from the container portion through the hole in the base of the lid portion such that the test strip is exposed to the biological specimen
Implementation Method 2
Each reagent test pad on the dipstick is chemically treated with a compound that is known to change color in the presence of particular reactants. If the urine contains quantities of the particular reactants, one or more of the reagent test pads will change color as a result.
Data Source
AI summary
A biological material test strip and adjacently-located reference color chart are affixed to a lid portion of an all-in-one specimen cup to perform color-based reaction testing of collected biological specimens in an uncalibrated environment. After specimen collection, the lid portion is secured to a container portion of the specimen cup. The cup may then be rotated into an upside down position causing the specimen, under the force of gravity, to pass from the container portion and into a volume of the lid portion, such that the test strip is exposed to the specimen as it is received into the volume of the lid portion. An image of the exposed test strip and adjacently-located reference color chart may then be captured and processed to identify any color matches between the individual test pads on the test strip and the corresponding sequences of reference color blocks on the reference chart.