Symmetrical Test Element for Glucose Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test elements and systems face challenges in reducing technical effort for detecting incorrect insertions and preventing unintentional malfunctions due to incorrect orientation of test strips, particularly in home monitoring by elderly persons, children, or disabled individuals.
Innovation Solution
A symmetrical test element design allowing insertion in at least two correct orientations, with a strip-shaped carrier element and a test field that can be inserted into a testing device receptacle in multiple orientations, ensuring the test field is always within the detection device's field of view, and incorporating mechanical positioning aids and orientation indication elements to facilitate correct positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If test elements are designed with asymmetric shape to indicate correct insertion orientation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for detection devices and processing steps to detect and correct incorrect insertions
Solution Approach 1:
The test element is designed with an asymmetric shape where only one specific orientation allows the test field to be positioned within the detection device's field of view. The carrier element has a defined longitudinal side and broad side with the test field positioned at a specific distance from the broad side, creating an inherently asymmetric configuration that prevents incorrect insertion orientations.
2Ease of operation
If test elements are designed with symmetric shape to allow multiple correct orientations, then ease of operation is improved for users, but measurement precision may be affected by positioning variability
Solution Approach 1:
The testing device is designed with universal acceptance of test elements inserted from either the left or right side. The detection device can detect the analyte-induced change in test chemistry regardless of which broad side of the symmetric test element is inserted first, allowing the test element to function correctly in multiple orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical positioning aids are pre-positioned on the carrier element to engage with corresponding positioning elements in the testing device. This preliminary positioning action ensures that once the test element is inserted, the test field is automatically positioned within the detection device's field of view, maintaining measurement precision despite symmetric design.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical positioning aids are added to ensure correct positioning, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical positioning aids on the test element automatically engage with the positioning elements in the testing device during insertion. This self-positioning mechanism ensures correct alignment of the test field with the detection device's field of view without requiring additional active positioning controls or complex adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~3D
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A test element (114) for detecting at least one analyte in a body fluid is disclosed, specifically for detecting glucose in the body fluid. The test element (114) comprises at least one strip-shaped carrier element (126) and at least one test field (122) having at least one test chemistry (124) for detecting the analyte. The test element (114) has a symmetrical shape such that the test element (114) may be inserted in at least two different orientations into a test element receptacle (118) of a testing device (112). The testing device (112) has a detection device (130). In the different orientations, at least one analyte-induced change in the test chemistry (124) of the test field (122) is detectable.