Urine Analysis Device with Syphonic Sampler and Electrochemical Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current urine analysis methods are lengthy, require continuous medical personnel presence, and are prone to contamination and temperature-dependent variability, making them non-optimal for frequent and accurate monitoring of kidney function.
Innovation Solution
A urine analysis device that performs electrochemical analysis without reagents, using a sampler module with a syphonic conduit and ion-selective electrodes to determine pH, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and chloride levels, and instantaneous urine flow, allowing for automatic and temperature-controlled analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual urine collection and analysis procedure is used, then medical personnel can perform the analysis, but the procedure becomes lengthy and requires continuous presence of medical personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic urine analysis through a closed-loop system where the catheter connects directly to the analysis device, eliminating the need for manual collection and processing by medical personnel. The device autonomously performs sampling, analysis, and result generation, resolving the contradiction between maintaining analysis accuracy and reducing examination time.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical processes of urine collection, transfer, and analysis are replaced by an automated electrochemical analysis system. The device uses electrochemical sensors to automatically measure urine parameters, substituting the manual mechanical workflow with an automated analytical system that reduces time while preserving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If manual urine collection by operator is performed, then the analysis can be conducted, but sample contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates manual handling of urine samples by establishing a direct closed connection between the catheter and the analysis device. This self-contained system prevents external contamination that would occur during manual collection, transfer, and processing steps, thereby maintaining both analysis accuracy and sample reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The analysis device acts as an intermediary between the catheter and the analysis environment, providing a controlled interface that prevents contamination. The device's internal sampling and analysis mechanisms isolate the sample from external contaminants while enabling accurate measurement, resolving the contradiction between precision and reliability.
3Productivity
If frequent urine analyses are performed using traditional methods, then monitoring capability improves, but continuous medical personnel presence is required
Solution Approach 1:
The automated analysis device enables frequent urine analyses without requiring continuous medical personnel presence. The system autonomously performs sampling, electrochemical analysis, and result generation, allowing high-frequency monitoring while simplifying operation to minimal user intervention, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation.
4Speed
If temperature variations occur during analysis, then analysis speed is maintained, but analysis accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates temperature control mechanisms that maintain optimal analysis temperature conditions. By actively regulating the temperature parameter during electrochemical analysis, the system prevents temperature-induced accuracy deterioration while maintaining efficient analysis speed, resolving the contradiction between speed and precision.
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 simple, fast, and frequent urine analysis without medical personnel, providing accurate monitoring of kidney function and reducing contamination risks, with automatic temperature regulation and precise volume measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a syphonic conduit (20) automatically draining a first portion of the urine
Implementation Method 2
electrochemical analysis in which the potential difference between a pair of electrodes is calculated and, based on this, the pH, sodium, potassium, ammonium and chloride content within the urine is determined
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
It is provided a urinalysis device (1) capable of analysing a urine sample to determine the value of physico-chemical characteristics of the urine sample and comprising a first sampler module (2) configured to be placed in fluid passage connection with a user and comprising a first drainage conduit (20) comprising a containment part (20a) defining a predetermined volume and configured to hold a first portion of urine, and a release part (20b) configured to convey a second portion of urine out of the first sampler module (2); a diuresis bag (3) in fluid passage connection with at least the release part (20b) and configured to collect the second portion; an analysis apparatus (4) placed in fluid passage connection with the containment part (20a) and configured to analyse at least part of the first portion; control means (5) configured at least to process data collected by the analysis apparatus (4); and acquisition means (6) operatively connected to the bag (3) and configured to acquire at least a first parameter corresponding to the weight of the second portion of urine, wherein the control means (5) are further configured to calculate a second parameter corresponding to the volume of the second portion in relation to the first parameter given a third predetermined parameter corresponding to the density of the urine and to sum the second parameter with the predetermined volume to obtain the total volume of urine.