Tricorder Reflectometer Reading Heads for Lateral Flow Test Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current reflectometers face challenges in accurately measuring reflectance from test strips due to variations between tests and test strips, and extraneous factors affecting measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A reflectometer with dedicated reading heads for each discrete area on the test strip, capable of emitting and receiving light, and a microprocessor that analyzes reflectance data to compensate for background interference and temperature, using programmed algorithms and lookup tables to interpolate analyte concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single reading head is used to measure multiple discrete areas on a test strip, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to compensate for zone-specific background interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reading function into multiple dedicated reading heads, each assigned to a specific discrete area (control zone or test zone) on the test strip. This segmentation allows each reading head to independently measure reflectance from its designated zone, enabling zone-specific background interference compensation and significantly improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture
2Measurement precision
If multiple control zones with different detection moiety concentrations are used, then measurement precision is improved through interpolation, but device complexity increases due to need for multiple reading heads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple dedicated reading heads corresponding to multiple control zones with different detection moiety concentrations. Each reading head independently measures its assigned zone, enabling the system to perform interpolation between multiple standards for more accurate analyte concentration determination. The modular reading head design keeps device complexity manageable despite the increased number of measurement points
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies the concentration of detection moiety-binding substance across different control zones to create multiple standards. By changing this chemical parameter across zones, the system establishes a calibration curve that enables interpolation for more precise analyte quantification, transforming a single-point measurement into a multi-point analytical approach
3Reliability
If temperature compensation mechanisms are added to the reflectometer, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor the test strip and reading head temperatures, feeding this information back to a processor that applies compensation algorithms to the reflectance measurements. This feedback mechanism maintains measurement reliability across varying temperature conditions while keeping the added complexity minimal through software-based compensation rather than hardware modifications
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 approach provides highly accurate measurements of analyte concentrations by compensating for extraneous factors and variations, improving the reliability of lateral flow immunochemistry test results.
Implementation Method 1
Light is reflected from the discrete area at a wavelength that produces a color that can be captured, analyzed, and compared to programmed information in the reflectometer
Data Source
AI summary
A reflectometer and method of use for measuring an amount of analyte in a sample are provided. The reflectometer can include a plurality of reading heads for obtaining reflectance information from discrete regions on a lateral flow test strip. The reflectance information is processed to obtain a digital value for the reflectance. The discrete regions can include a test zone and at least two control zones that each has a differing amount of detection moiety binding substance. The digital values for each control zone can be employed to establish a high end standard and a low end standard. The digital value for the test zone interpolated to the standards to obtain an accurate quantitative value for the analyte in the sample.