Urinal Screen With Two-Sided Spreading Layer for Glucose Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for measuring glucose levels using urine dipstick tests are inconvenient, requiring multiple steps and involving the need for separate urine collection and dipstick usage.

Innovation Solution

A urinal screen with a main body, mesh screen, and a two-sided spreading layer that accepts a urine sample, allowing it to pass through and react with glucose-reactive reagents, causing a color change, thus eliminating the need for a separate dipstick or meter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional urine dipstick test method is used, then glucose levels can be measured, but the process requires multiple steps and separate equipment which reduces convenience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of glucose measurementVSAvoidnumber of steps and equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the urine collection container, spreading layer with reagents, and detection function into a single integrated urinal screen device. The spreading layer is directly attached to the urinal screen body, eliminating the need for separate dipsticks and collection cups, thus reducing the number of components and steps while maintaining the glucose measurement function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The urinal screen serves multiple functions: it acts as a drain cover for the urinal, provides a spreading layer for urine distribution, contains reagents for glucose detection, and enables colorimetric measurement. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate equipment for each function, improving operational convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If conventional dipstick method is used, then glucose measurement is possible, but the process takes more time due to multiple steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of glucose measurementVSAvoidtime required for measurement steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The reagents are pre-loaded onto the spreading layer that is attached to the urinal screen before use. When urine is introduced, the spreading layer automatically distributes it across the reagent-containing area, eliminating the need for separate dipping and waiting steps. This preliminary preparation of the reagent interface accelerates the measurement process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If conventional dipstick test is used, then glucose levels can be determined, but separate urine collection and dipstick usage are required which increases equipment needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of measurement processVSAvoidnumber of separate components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the urine collection function, spreading mechanism, and reagent delivery system into a single integrated urinal screen device. The spreading layer with embedded reagents is attached directly to the screen body, eliminating the need for separate dipsticks, collection cups, and reagent bottles, thus reducing the quantity of components while maintaining full measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 cost-effective determination of glucose levels by integrating the reagents directly into the urinal screen, reducing the number of steps and equipment needed.

Implementation Method 1

a two-sided spreading layer to accept a urine sample on a upper side and passing the sample to a lower side, opposite each side containing a reagent that can react with glucose in the urine sample, as it passes through the two-sided spreading layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS11255081B2Urinal screen

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 OH JAY K

AI summary

The present invention is a urinal screen that includes a main body having an extended upper surface, a corresponding extended lower surface, and a marginal edge portion integral with an surrounding the upper surface and the lower surface; a plurality of spaced apart apertures formed to extent through the main body to provide fluid communication between the upper surface and the lower surface of the main body; and a two-sided spreading layer attached to the main body for accepting a urine sample on a upper side and passing the sample to a lower side, opposite and each side containing a reagent that can react with glucose in the urine sample, as it passes through the two-sided spreading layer, to cause a color change in the reagent.