Test Strip Resistance Pattern via Screen Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and quality issues associated with manufacturing test strips for biological component measurement, particularly due to equipment costs and debris-related problems in machining and laser processing, as well as the need for multiple printing plates in variable resistance calibration techniques.
Innovation Solution
A test strip design featuring a substrate with working and counter electrodes, a sensor unit, and a resistance portion with narrow patterns formed through screen printing, allowing for variable electrical resistance without the need for expensive equipment or multiple printing plates, and using potting to create circular patterns that overlap and conduct, ensuring high quality and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If machining, laser processing, or etching is used to form the attribute information output unit by cutting the cutting candidate area, then the electrical resistance can be varied to express attribute information, but the equipment costs increase and debris is produced that soils the test strip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful cutting process from the manufacturing method and replaces it with a printing-based approach. Instead of removing material through machining or laser processing, the invention uses a printing plate to print conductive material patterns that directly form the attribute information output unit with the desired electrical resistance, eliminating debris production and equipment costs associated with cutting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a printing plate to create a copy or replica of the desired resistance pattern. The printing plate contains the design of the attribute information output unit, and through printing, this design is transferred onto the test strip substrate, forming the conductive patterns that establish the required electrical resistance values without requiring expensive machining equipment
2Manufacturing precision
If machining or laser processing is used to cut the cutting candidate area, then the electrical resistance can be varied, but heat is produced during processing that affects the sensor unit properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical and thermal processing systems (machining and laser processing) with a chemical/printing-based system. Instead of using mechanical cutting or laser heat to form the resistance patterns, the invention employs printing technology that deposits conductive material in predetermined patterns, achieving the same electrical resistance variation without generating harmful heat that could damage the sensor unit
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple types of printing plates are prepared to change the printing pattern for variable resistance calibration, then the electrical resistance can be varied, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics into the printing plate design by incorporating multiple candidate area patterns within a single printing plate. Instead of requiring separate static printing plates for each resistance value, the single dynamic printing plate contains multiple configurable patterns that can produce different electrical resistance values, reducing the number of plates needed and lowering manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The printing plate is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a universal tool that can create multiple different resistance patterns. By incorporating multiple candidate area patterns within one printing plate, the system achieves variable resistance calibration without requiring multiple specialized printing plates, thereby reducing costs while maintaining manufacturing 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
The solution enables the production of test strips at a low cost with high quality, accurately measuring bodily fluid components like glucose, cholesterol, or lactic acid, while avoiding debris and heat-related issues, and allowing for precise adjustment of electrical resistance to express attribute information.
Implementation Method 1
The bodily fluid deposited on the one end portion of the substrate reaches the reagent portion through the flow channel due to the capillary phenomenon
Implementation Method 2
configured to produce an electrochemical reaction with the bodily fluid of the measurement subject and produce a change in electrical characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
A test strip for biological component measurement includes a substrate. A pair of a working electrode and a counter electrode, a sensor unit that produces an electrochemical reaction with a bodily fluid of a measurement subject and produces a change in electrical characteristics, a resistance portion having an electrical resistance expressing attribute information including a sensitivity of the test strip, and a pair of wires connected to both ends of the resistance portion are provided on the substrate. The resistance portion has a plurality of narrow patterns, each having a resistivity and provided so as to be distanced from each other. An end portion of each narrow pattern is near another narrow pattern. A substantially circular pattern is provided to overlap locations where the end portions of the narrow patterns are near each other, enabling the end portions to conduct with each other.