Electrochemical Biosensor for Non-Invasive Vaginal Fluid Biomarker Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical diagnostics rely heavily on invasive and costly blood tests, which are inconvenient and often fail to detect conditions early enough for effective treatment, due to the invasive nature of blood collection and the influence of blood draws on biomarker levels.
Innovation Solution
A feminine hygiene product integrated with an electrochemical biosensor system that collects and analyzes vaginal fluid, allowing for non-invasive health monitoring and diagnostics by detecting biomarkers in menstrual blood, which can be wirelessly transmitted to a smartphone for data interpretation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If blood tests are used for health diagnostics, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to invasive procedures requiring medical assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vaginal fluid as an intermediary medium to indirectly measure biomarkers that would otherwise require blood sampling. The biosensor detects biomarkers in vaginal fluid, which serves as a non-invasive proxy for blood-based diagnostics, thereby maintaining measurement precision while dramatically improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical intrusion of needle-based blood draws with a non-invasive electrochemical biosensing system. The biosensor uses electrochemical reactions to detect biomarkers in vaginal fluid, substituting the mechanical blood collection process with an electrical/chemical detection method that requires no penetration or medical assistance
2Measurement precision
If implantable sensors are used for blood analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs vaginal fluid as an intermediary to achieve continuous monitoring without implantable devices. The biosensor placed in the vaginal environment can continuously detect biomarkers in fluid that passes through or is produced in the vaginal tract, providing ongoing monitoring data without requiring surgical implantation or carrying the risks of implantable electronics
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the body's own physiological processes to provide the sampling mechanism. Vaginal fluid naturally flows and is continuously produced, automatically delivering sample material to the biosensor without requiring pumps, power sources, or complex collection mechanisms that would be needed for implantable blood sensors
3Reliability
If traditional blood collection methods are used, then reliability of diagnosis is improved, but loss of time increases due to medical assistance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary self-sampling at home without requiring scheduled medical appointments. Users can collect vaginal fluid samples immediately when needed and obtain rapid results, eliminating the time loss associated with scheduling, traveling to, and waiting for clinical blood draws while maintaining diagnostic reliability through validated biosensing
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 convenient, non-invasive, and cost-effective health monitoring and early diagnostics, providing valuable health information without the need for medical assistance, and potentially preventing the progression of medical conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochemical detection system configured to obtain data regarding at least one analyte in a vaginal fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
A vaginal fluid monitoring device includes an absorbent layer, wherein the absorbent layer is configured to be in proximity to flow of vaginal fluid; an electrochemical detection system configured to obtain data regarding at least one analyte in a vaginal fluid, said electrochemical detection system in fluid communication with the absorbent layer; and wherein the vaginal fluid monitoring device is configured to be coupled with a feminine hygiene product.