Test Strip Fixation Device for Optical Analyte Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems using mobile devices for analyte detection in body fluids face challenges in ensuring reliable results due to external factors like ambient lighting conditions and relative positioning of the optical test strip or color reference chart, particularly in low computational power devices like low-end smartphones.
Innovation Solution
A test strip fixation device with a top surface featuring color reference fields and position detection code elements, allowing for precise alignment and reduced computational image processing by defining the position of the optical test strip relative to the color reference fields, facilitating reliable analyte detection using a mobile device camera.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a color reference chart is used separately from an optical test strip, then the positioning requirements become more complex, but the measurement reliability improves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the color reference chart and optical test strip into a single integrated device. The color reference fields are printed directly on the same substrate as the test strip, eliminating the need for separate positioning of two components. This integration maintains measurement reliability through accurate color references while simplifying the positioning requirements to a single component alignment.
2Measurement precision
If computational image processing is increased to account for external factors, then the measurement precision improves, but the computational load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates color reference fields with known reference color values directly on the device before the measurement process. This preliminary inclusion of reference data allows the system to perform minimal computational corrections rather than requiring complex real-time image processing to account for lighting conditions and other external factors, thereby maintaining precision while reducing computational load.
3Measurement precision
If the test strip and color reference chart are positioned relative to each other, then the camera alignment becomes more difficult, but the information reading accuracy improves
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the color reference fields and test strip elements on a single substrate, the patent eliminates the need for relative positioning between separate components. The camera only needs to capture the entire integrated device in one frame, significantly simplifying alignment requirements while maintaining the ability to read all necessary information including analyte test results, control fields, and color references with high accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A test strip fixation device for use in a method of determining analyte concentration in a body fluid using a mobile device with a camera. The device has top and bottom surfaces, has an essentially planar shape, and also has a cut-out portion configured for application of a body fluid sample. The top surface has color reference fields with known reference color values, including grey and non-grey reference fields. The grey reference fields are symmetrically arranged around the cut-out portion and around at least some of the non-grey color reference fields. The top surface also has position detection code elements. The bottom surface has a connector configured for detachable connection of an optical test strip relative to the test strip fixation device, and a reagent test region of the test strip can be aligned with the cut-out portion. A method of using the device is also disclosed.