Touchscreen Test Strips Using Impedance Signaling for Glucose Assays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glucose monitoring technologies, such as glucometers and non-invasive methods, are costly, require specialized devices, or provide unreliable results, limiting access to preventive diabetes screening, especially for financially disadvantaged individuals.
Innovation Solution
A test strip that communicates assay data to a smartphone touchscreen using a sample input, assay circuitry, signaling circuitry, impedance circuitry, and energy harvesting circuitry, allowing for glucose measurement without additional hardware modifications or expert knowledge, and meeting medical standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional glucometers and specialized testing devices are used, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a touchscreen interface as an intermediary between the simple test strip and the digital display system. The test strip contains basic sensing elements that interact with the touchscreen through simulated touch events, allowing complex data processing and display without requiring complex hardware in the test strip itself. This mediator approach enables reliable measurements while keeping the test strip simple and inexpensive.
Solution Approach 2:
The test strip performs self-service by containing integrated circuitry that automatically processes the glucose measurement and generates simulated touch events on the touchscreen. The strip autonomously handles the analytical process, from sample interaction through result communication, without requiring external specialized equipment or expert operation, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If traditional glucometers are used, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a disposable test strip design with integrated circuitry that can be manufactured at low cost. The test strip is designed for single-use, containing all necessary sensing and communication elements in a compact, inexpensive format. This approach enables precise glucose measurements while keeping the cost per test low, as the entire measurement system is contained in a disposable unit rather than requiring expensive reusable equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The test strip is designed to work with universal touchscreen devices such as smartphones and tablets, eliminating the need for proprietary glucometer hardware. By leveraging the existing touchscreen interface and processing capabilities of common electronic devices, the patent achieves precise measurements without requiring additional expensive equipment, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If non-invasive glucose sensing methods are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or optical non-invasive sensing systems with an electrochemical test strip that interacts with a touchscreen interface. Instead of using complicated non-invasive methods that struggle with precision, the invention uses a simple blood sample application followed by electrochemical detection, achieving both ease of operation and measurement precision through the simulated touch event communication mechanism.
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 affordable, accessible, and reliable glucose monitoring using a smartphone, reducing the cost barrier and enhancing awareness of prediabetes through user-friendly, real-time results display.
Implementation Method 1
energy harvesting circuitry configured to harvest energy from a flash of the electronic device
Implementation Method 2
impedance circuitry configured to present impedance changes to a touchscreen of the electronic device in accordance with the modulated signal
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of this disclosure describe a test strip that may include a sample input, assay circuitry, signaling circuitry, impedance circuitry, and/or energy harvesting circuitry. The sample input may be configured to receive a sample, such as a fluid sample. The assay circuitry of the test strip may be configured to perform an assay on at least a portion of the fluid sample. The signaling circuitry of the test strip may be configured to provide a modulated signal based on an output of the assay. The impedance circuitry of the test strip may be configured to present impedance changes to a touchscreen of an electronic device in accordance with the modulated signal. The test strip can then communicate data of the output of the assay (e.g., test results) to the electronic device using the touchscreen of the electronic device.