Urine Analysis System Using Needle Mediator to Prevent Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current urine analysis systems using test strips in toilets and mobile phone cameras face challenges in preventing urine mixing and contamination, as well as maintaining hygiene and accuracy in chemical content analysis.
Innovation Solution
A urine specimen analysis system that includes a urinal or water closet with a test strip, camera, pump engine, and needle to directly deliver urine to the test strip, utilizing a cassette motor for controlled movement and spacing to prevent contamination, and a water outlet for cleaning, along with a vacuum line to manage excess urine and ensure accurate chemical reaction observation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If test strips are placed in toilets for urine analysis, then urine analysis can be performed conveniently, but urine mixing and contamination occur between different users
Solution Approach 1:
A needle is introduced as an intermediary component to transfer urine from the collection container to the test strip. This mediator prevents direct contact between urine and the test strip placement surface, eliminating urine mixing and contamination between different users while maintaining the convenience of in-toilet analysis
2Adaptability or versatility
If mobile phone camera is used to detect colour changes on test strip, then urine analysis can be performed anywhere, but hygiene and contamination prevention become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The needle acts as a hygienic intermediary that delivers urine directly to the test strip in a controlled manner, preventing contamination during the analysis process. This maintains the portability advantage while solving the hygiene and contamination issues
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes a water outlet that automatically cleans the needle after each use. This self-cleaning function maintains hygiene standards and prevents contamination buildup, allowing the system to be used anywhere without compromising sanitation
3Reliability
If urine is delivered directly to test strip using needle, then urine mixing is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle serves multiple functions: it transfers urine from the collection container to the test strip, and it also acts as a cleaning target for the water outlet. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving reliable contamination prevention
4Reliability
If test strips are cleaned using water outlet, then hygiene is maintained, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water outlet cleans the needle automatically after each urine analysis using a simple water spray mechanism. This self-cleaning approach maintains high hygiene standards with minimal water consumption, as it only requires a brief rinse rather than complex cleaning systems
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 effectively prevents urine mixing and contamination, maintains hygiene by cleaning the test strips, and ensures accurate chemical analysis through controlled urine delivery and observation, enhancing the reliability and usability of urine analysis.
Implementation Method 1
pump engine, and needle to directly deliver urine to the test strip
Implementation Method 2
Absorbent surface to which reactive chemicals had been absorbed are used for the detection of chemical content. These absorbent surfaces change colours when the chemicals they contain react with the urine
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a cassette motor for controlled movement and spacing to prevent contamination, and a water outlet for cleaning, along with a vacuum line to manage excess urine and ensure accurate chemical reaction observation
Data Source
AI summary
A urine specimen analysis system that allows the chemical content of a urine specimen to be analysed via camera and test strips in order for the current state of health of persons to be understood is disclosed. A urine analysis system that carries out the analysis on the test strip using a required amount of urine specimen is disclosed. A urine analysis system that will ensure the chemical analysis of the urine by observing it with a camera after waiting for a period of time during which the urine strip will realise its chemical reactions. With its feature to clean itself and the test strips, the urine analysis system will be able to prevent mixing of both the previous and next users’ urines by cleaning the urine line and the system.