Lateral Flow Testing Equipment for Surface-Free Image Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bodily fluid testing equipment requires a flat surface for analysis, leading to contamination risks and inefficient packaging due to the need for a reference colour pad, which increases size and complicates storage.
Innovation Solution
A user-friendly, application-analysable bodily fluid testing equipment with a handling indicator for holding during application and image capture, allowing analysis without placing the equipment on a surface, and incorporating a support structure for various testing regions and an integrity check.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If application-analysable prior art testing equipment is laid on a flat surface for analysis, then image capture and analysis can be carried out, but contamination of the surface from bodily fluid and contamination of sensitive testing equipment by surface contaminants occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a handling indicator as an intermediary element that mediates between the user's hand and the testing equipment. The handling indicator provides a designated holding area that prevents direct contact with the testing region, thereby eliminating the need to place the equipment on a surface during image capture while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The handling indicator enables the equipment to be self-held during the testing process. The user can hold the equipment by the handling indicator throughout the entire process from fluid application to image capture, making the equipment serve itself without requiring an external flat surface support.
2Measurement precision
If a reference colour pad is placed under the testing equipment or reference colours are presented on the testing equipment, then colour analysis can be performed, but the equipment size increases and efficient packaging and storage are prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reference colour functionality from the physical equipment structure. Instead of including a reference colour pad or coloured regions on the equipment, the reference colours are presented virtually through the application on the electronic device, eliminating the need for additional physical space while maintaining colour analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a digital copy of reference colours displayed on the electronic device screen instead of physical reference colours. The application presents reference colours that can be compared with the testing region colours captured in the image, providing the same analytical function without increasing equipment volume.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the equipment is designed to be held during fluid application and image capture, then contamination is prevented and hygiene is improved, but the equipment requires a handling indicator that adds design complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The handling indicator is designed with local quality by providing specific visual characteristics (such as distinct coloring or text) only in the holding area. This localized design element guides the user to the correct holding position without requiring complex overall equipment redesign, thus preventing contamination while minimizing added complexity.
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
Prevents contamination, improves hygiene, enables efficient packaging, and allows for multiple tests with a single application, facilitating easy delivery and accurate analysis using a mobile device.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more lateral flow strips are arranged to draw bodily fluid along their length by capillary action
Data Source
AI summary
A lateral flow bodily fluid testing system is provided. The system comprises an application-analysable bodily fluid testing equipment (100, 200, 300) and an electronic device (1001) comprising a camera (1002) and one or more processors (1004). The one or more processors are configured to acquire image data of the application-analysable bodily fluid testing equipment with the camera of the electronic device, perform testing of bodily fluid applied to the application-analysable bodily fluid testing equipment using the image data to determine whether indicators of one or more bodily conditions are present in the applied bodily fluid, and output a result indicating whether the indicators of one or more bodily conditions are present in the applied bodily fluid.