Urine Recovery Test Device Using Segmentation and Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining nutritional recovery after an endurance event are unreliable and lack simplicity, often relying on subjective or invasive tests, posing risks of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
Innovation Solution
A device using urine specific gravity and ketone tests to indicate hydration and fat/muscular breakdown, providing a non-invasive and inexpensive means to assess nutritional recovery, with indicators for desired ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If medical grade urine test strips are used to assess nutritional recovery, then comprehensive parameters can be tested, but the results become technical and confusing for the lay person
Solution Approach 1:
The comprehensive 10-parameter test is segmented into two simple binary indicators: hydration status (yes/no) and ketone presence (yes/no). This segmentation transforms complex medical data into easily interpretable results for athletes while maintaining the comprehensive assessment capability through the combination of multiple test parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by focusing on two specific critical parameters (hydration and ketones) rather than presenting all 10 parameters equally. This selective emphasis on the most important local aspects of nutritional recovery provides clear guidance for athletes without overwhelming them with technical details.
2Measurement precision
If plasma osmolality and total body water tests are used, then accurate medical gold standard measurement is achieved, but the tests become invasive, expensive, and require laboratory facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex laboratory equipment and invasive procedures, transferring it to a simple urine-based test strip system. By taking out only the necessary testing capability and removing the invasive and complex infrastructure requirements, the solution achieves accurate hydration and ketone assessment in a home-friendly format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable urine test strips as cheap, single-use testing devices that eliminate the need for expensive, complex, and reusable laboratory equipment. Each strip provides a complete nutritional recovery assessment and is discarded after use, making the technology accessible for frequent home testing by athletes.
3Reliability
If multiple parameters are assessed simultaneously, then comprehensive nutritional recovery evaluation is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple test parameters (specific gravity for hydration, ketone levels, and other recovery indicators) into a single integrated test strip system. This consolidation allows comprehensive nutritional recovery assessment to be performed with one simple urine sample, eliminating the need for multiple separate tests and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The test strip device achieves multi-functionality by simultaneously assessing hydration status, ketone presence, and other nutritional recovery parameters in a single universal tool. This universal design allows one device to perform comprehensive evaluation across multiple dimensions of athletic recovery without requiring separate specialized equipment for each parameter.
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 athletes to objectively determine nutritional recovery, ensuring safe and optimal training or competition by monitoring ketone and specific gravity levels in urine, reducing the risk of dehydration-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
a ketone test on the support for measuring an amount of ketones in urine when the ketone test is contacted with the urine
Implementation Method 2
a specific gravity test on the support for measuring the specific gravity of the urine when the specific gravity test is contacted with the urine
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a device for determining whether a human is fully nutritionally recovered from an endurance event having a ketone indicator and ketone test for measuring the amount of ketones in urine and a specific gravity indicator and specific gravity test for measuring the specific gravity of urine. Also provided is a method using the device to determine whether a human is fully nutritionally recovered from an endurance event.