Test Strip Identification Area Resistor Electrode Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test strips require different code cards for different batches, leading to user inconvenience and potential incorrect results due to incorrect code card insertion, and previous solutions either increase complexity or are limited in differentiating various test strips and instruments.
Innovation Solution
A test strip with an identification area containing multiple identification electrodes and a resistor element, generating both digital and analog signals to provide sufficient identification signals, allowing the test instrument to obtain necessary parameters without a code card, enabling differentiation of various customers, test strips, and instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If code cards are used for different batches of test strips, then identification of test strip specifications is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates and risk of incorrect results increases
Solution Approach 1:
The test strip automatically provides identification signals through its own electrode structure without requiring external code cards. The identification electrodes and resistor elements form an integrated self-identifying system that eliminates the need for separate code cards, thereby improving user convenience while maintaining reliable identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification function is merged into the test strip itself by integrating identification electrodes and resistor elements directly onto the substrate. This combines the test strip and code card functions into a single unit, eliminating the need for separate code cards and improving ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If identification electrodes with different impedances are used, then test strip differentiation is achieved, but device complexity increases due to additional operational amplifiers
Solution Approach 1:
Differentiation of test strips is achieved by varying the resistance values of the resistor elements connected to identification electrodes. By changing the resistance parameter (instead of adding complex measurement circuitry), the system can identify different test strip types while maintaining simple instrument structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification electrodes serve dual functions: they participate in the electrochemical reaction as part of the test circuit and simultaneously provide identification signals through their connection to resistor elements with different resistance values. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate identification circuitry.
3Loss of information
If multiple identification electrodes are used, then identification signals increase, but the number of distinguishable signals is limited by the number of electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from using only the presence/absence of identification electrodes (binary dimension) to incorporating resistor elements with continuously variable resistance values (analog dimension). This adds another dimension to the identification space, allowing for exponentially more distinguishable signals without increasing the number of electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying solely on the number of identification electrodes to generate unique identification patterns, the system uses variable resistance values of resistor elements as an additional parameter. This parameter change approach allows for a much larger number of distinguishable identification signals while keeping the electrode count manageable.
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
Enables fast and accurate test results by providing numerous identification signals to differentiate multiple customers and test instruments, overcoming the limitations of prior art in signal sufficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The resistor element may have m sets of resistance values, and m≧1. After receiving the identification signal, the test instrument obtains the test code, analysis parameters, expiry date, and/or batch number of the test strip to perform judgment and calibration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a test strip with an identification function and a test instrument using the same. The test strip of the present invention comprises a substrate, a test area on the substrate and an identification area also on the substrate. The identification area has at least two identification electrodes, at least one resistor element connected in parallel with the identification electrodes, and an electrode area coupling the identification electrodes and the resistor element. Thereby, the present invention provides many sets of identification signals to differentiate customers, test strips and test instruments.