Test Strip Protective Cover for Contamination Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing analyte testing devices face contamination issues during sample collection and exposure processes, as the assay and receptacle are exposed to the test subject, support staff, and atmosphere, leading to potential contamination even with careful handling.

Innovation Solution

A test device with a removable protective strip is designed to prevent contamination by covering the test strip during manufacturing and use, which dissolves or is removed only when the sample is added, ensuring the strip is exposed to the sample while minimizing contact with the environment and potential contaminants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the test strip is exposed during sample collection and testing, then the testing process is simple and easy to operate, but the risk of contamination from the environment, test subject, and support staff increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting process simplicityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective strip is pre-applied to the test strip before the testing process begins. This preliminary protective action maintains sterility during sample collection and only is removed at the appropriate moment when the sample is ready to be applied, thereby preventing contamination without complicating the overall testing procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective strip serves as an intermediary barrier between the test strip and the external environment (including test subject, support staff, and atmosphere). This intermediate layer allows the testing process to proceed simply while blocking contamination pathways, effectively mediating between ease of operation and contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the test strip is covered with a protective strip, then contamination risk is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination riskVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into distinct functional components: the test strip for analysis and the removable protective strip for contamination prevention. This segmentation allows the protective function to be added as a separate, simple element rather than integrating complexity into the core test strip structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective strip is designed as a simple, disposable component that is easily applied and removed. This approach prevents contamination without requiring complex, reusable protective mechanisms, thereby maintaining device simplicity while effectively reducing contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If the test strip is exposed to the atmosphere and test subject during sample collection, then the sampling process is straightforward, but the reliability of the test result decreases due to potential contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling process simplicityVSAvoidtest result accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective strip is applied in advance to the test strip before sample collection begins. This preliminary protection maintains test reliability during the straightforward sampling process, and the protective strip is removed only when the sample is ready to be applied, ensuring accuracy without complicating sampling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective strip acts as an intermediary barrier during sample collection, allowing the sampling process to remain straightforward while blocking contamination from the atmosphere and test subject. This mediator preserves test result reliability without interfering with the simplicity of the sampling procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 significantly reduces the risk of contamination, providing accurate results by ensuring the test strip is exposed only to the intended sample, thereby maintaining the sterile nature of the assay and enhancing the reliability of the testing process.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution:

Data Source

PatentUS10386376B2Sample container with integrated test strip

Publication Date: 2019.08.20 JEIMEI LLC

AI summary

A test device for detection and visual identification of a specific analyte in a liquid sample such as a bodily fluid is disclosed. The device includes a collection container, a test strip affixed to an interior surface of the collection container, and a removable protective strip adhered over the test strip. The protective strip is configured to be removed from contact with the test strip after the liquid sample has been collected in order to prevent unnecessary exposure and/or contamination of the test strip. In certain embodiments, the protective strip may be removed from the contact with the test strip when the collection container is in a sealed configuration. In other embodiments, the protective strip may be dissolvable when placed in contact with the desired liquid sample. An assay specific to the anticipated analyte may be provided on the test strip.