Urinalysis Sensor System for Continuous Biomarker Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal health monitoring devices (PHMDs) are unable to monitor biomarkers from the inner workings of the human body effectively and wearable PHMDs are not convenient for constant use, as they require laboratory equipment like gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, which is impractical for widespread use due to privacy concerns and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A health monitoring urinalysis system with sensors installed in a urine collection basin that automatically collects urine data, using electrochemical sensors to measure pH, temperature, and metabolic information, which is transmitted to a control and measurement unit for analysis, providing early detection of health abnormalities and personalized health insights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laboratory equipment like gas chromatography and mass spectrometry is used for health monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of biomarker detection from complex laboratory equipment and implements it through simple electrochemical sensors that directly measure pH, temperature, and metabolic information in urine, eliminating the need for gas chromatography and mass spectrometry systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical and complex analytical systems with electrochemical sensing mechanisms that use electrical signals to detect biomarkers, substituting the mechanical complexity of laboratory equipment with simpler electrochemical reactions and measurements
2Duration of action of moving object
If wearable PHMDs are used for constant monitoring, then duration of action is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to discomfort and privacy concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables autonomous health monitoring by installing sensors in the urine collection basin that automatically detect and measure biomarkers without requiring user intervention, wear, or direct contact, allowing constant monitoring while maintaining user privacy and comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses urine as an intermediary medium to transmit health information from the body to the sensors, allowing indirect but continuous monitoring of biomarkers without requiring wearable devices or direct physical contact with the user
3Ease of operation
If electrochemical sensors are used in urine collection basin, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates compared to laboratory equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by focusing on specific electrochemical properties (pH, temperature, metabolic information) that can be accurately measured in urine using electrochemical sensors, rather than attempting to measure all biomarkers with laboratory equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial analysis by measuring specific key biomarkers in urine that are sufficient for detecting chronic diseases and health trends, rather than attempting complete comprehensive analysis of all possible substances
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 system enables constant monitoring of urine metabolites, detecting chronic diseases and predicting health trends, including cancer, heart diseases, and viral infections, without the need for sample separation or pretreatment, and is designed to be discreet and comfortable for daily use.
Implementation Method 1
using electrochemical sensors to measure pH, temperature, and metabolic information
Data Source
AI summary
A health monitoring urinalysis system that monitors several health indicators from human urine is provided. The system includes a temperature sensor and several electrochemical sensors that are installed in a urine collection basin, such as, a toilet or a urinal and may automatically collect urine information after each use. The system collects data during the routine and normal use of a urine collection basin. The system includes a control and measurement unit that may be installed outside the urine collection basin. The control and measurement unit receives sensor measurements and transmits the measurements to one or more remote electronic devices. The remote electronic devices and/or the processor of the control and measurement unit perform data analysis, provide diagnostic, and generate health alerts. The system performs recurrent health monitoring after the urine collection basin is used and may detect abnormal conditions at early stages, in addition to a routine urine test.