阅读说明：本技术 诊断条和使用诊断条的诊断系统 (Diagnostic strip and diagnostic system using same ) 是由 李东埙 韩多云 金奎珉 于 2018-02-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于与目标反应以执行诊断的诊断条,该诊断条包含：连接器,其连接到电力提供单元且将驱动电力提供给诊断条；引入路径,其输送包含目标的体液；反应单元,其用于与目标反应且电气特性根据该反应而改变；和显示器单元,其接收驱动电力且显示状态根据反应单元的所改变的电气特性而变化。(A diagnostic strip for reacting with a target to perform a diagnosis, the diagnostic strip comprising: a connector connected to the power supply unit and supplying driving power to the diagnostic strip; an introduction path that transports a body fluid containing a target; a reaction unit for reacting with a target and an electrical characteristic changing according to the reaction; and a display unit receiving the driving power and displaying a state varying according to the changed electrical characteristic of the reaction unit.)

1. A diagnostic strip for reacting with a target to perform a diagnosis, the diagnostic strip comprising:

A connector for connecting to a power supply unit and supplying driving power to the diagnostic strip;

An introduction path that transports a body fluid including the target;

A reaction unit that reacts with the target and whose electrical characteristics change according to the reaction; and

A display unit receiving the driving power and having a display state thereof changed according to the changed electrical characteristic of the reaction unit.

2. The diagnostic strip of claim 1, wherein the connector is any one of a male connector inserted into the power providing unit and a female connector into which a connector connected to the power providing unit is inserted.

3. The diagnostic strip of claim 1, wherein the connector is any one of a universal serial bus standard compliant connector and a lightning connector.

4. the diagnostic strip of claim 1, wherein said introduction path comprises at least one of a capillary for delivering said body fluid into said reaction unit and an exposure unit for exposing said reaction unit to have said body fluid droplet above the reaction unit.

5. The diagnostic strip of claim 1, further comprising an environmental sensor unit that detects environmental effects that affect a reaction between the target and the reaction unit.

6. The diagnostic strip of claim 5, wherein said environmental sensor unit comprises at least one of a hydrogen ion concentration (pH) sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor.

7. The diagnostic strip of claim 1, wherein said reaction unit comprises a substance that changes an electrical characteristic by an enzymatic reaction with a detection target.

8. The diagnostic strip according to claim 7, wherein the reaction unit comprises any one of glucose oxidase whose electrical characteristics are changed according to an enzyme reaction with glucose and cholesterol oxidase whose electrical characteristics are changed according to an enzyme reaction with cholesterol.

9. The diagnostic strip according to claim 1, wherein the reaction unit comprises a substance that changes an electrical characteristic by an antigen-antibody reaction with a detection target.

10. The diagnostic strip of claim 9, wherein the reaction unit comprises any one of: anti-influenza a antibodies reactive with Avian Influenza (AI) virus, anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpiCAM) antibodies reactive with cancer cells, anti-Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) antibodies, anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2) antibodies, anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) antibodies and anti-Cancer Antigen (CA) antibodies, and anti-apolipoprotein B antibodies reactive with lipids in blood.

11. The diagnostic strip of claim 1, wherein said reaction unit comprises a probe that complementarily binds to a detection target and has an altered electrical characteristic.

12. The diagnostic strip of claim 11, wherein the reaction unit comprises a probe: the probe has an aptamer bound to a protein and a nucleotide label as a detection target, and a nucleotide having a sequence complementary to the detection target.

13. The diagnostic strip of claim 1, wherein said diagnostic strip detects targets included in animals, humans, and food.

14. The diagnostic strip of claim 1, wherein the display unit comprises:

A first display whose display state changes according to the changed electrical characteristics of the reaction unit; and

A second display whose display state changes according to a detection result of the environment sensor.

15. The diagnostic strip of claim 1, wherein said display unit comprises at least one of electronic (e) ink and an electrochromic element.

16. The diagnostic strip of claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the change in the electrical characteristic using any one of a bar code, a Quick Response (QR) code, and a display bar.

17. A diagnostic system, comprising:

A diagnostic strip, comprising: a reaction unit of which an electrical characteristic is changed according to a reaction with a target included in a body fluid; a display unit displaying a code, a display state of which changes corresponding to the changed electrical characteristic; and a connector for electrically connecting to the power supply unit and receiving the driving power; and is

The power supply unit is electrically connected to the diagnostic strip through the connector and supplies the driving power to the diagnostic strip.

18. The diagnostic system according to claim 17, wherein the connector is any one of a male connector inserted into the power supply unit and a female connector into which a connector connected to the power supply unit is inserted.

19. The diagnostic system of claim 17, wherein the connector is any one of a universal serial bus compliant connector and a lightning connector.

20. The diagnostic system of claim 17, wherein the diagnostic strip further comprises an environmental sensor unit that detects environmental effects that affect a reaction between the target and the reaction unit.

21. The diagnostic system of claim 20, wherein the environmental sensor unit comprises at least one of a hydrogen ion concentration (pH) sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor.

22. The diagnostic system of claim 17, wherein the reaction unit comprises a substance that changes an electrical characteristic by performing an enzymatic reaction with a detection target.

23. The diagnostic system of claim 22, wherein the reaction unit comprises glucose oxidase reacted with glucose and cholesterol oxidase reacted with cholesterol.

24. The diagnostic system of claim 17, wherein the reaction unit comprises a substance that changes an electrical characteristic by performing an antigen-antibody reaction with a detection target.

25. The diagnostic system of claim 24, wherein the reaction unit comprises any one of: anti-influenza a antibodies reactive with Avian Influenza (AI) virus, anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpiCAM) antibodies reactive with cancer cells, anti-Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) antibodies, anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2) antibodies, anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) antibodies and anti-Cancer Antigen (CA) antibodies, and anti-apolipoprotein B antibodies reactive with lipids in blood.

26. The diagnostic system of claim 17, wherein the reaction unit comprises a probe that complementarily binds to a target for detection and has an altered electrical characteristic.

27. The diagnostic system of claim 26, wherein the reaction unit comprises a probe: the probe has an aptamer bound to a protein and a nucleotide label as a detection target, and a nucleotide having a sequence complementary to the detection target.

28. The diagnostic system of claim 17, wherein the display unit comprises:

A first display whose display state changes according to the changed electrical characteristics of the reaction unit; and

A second display whose display state changes according to a detection result of the environment sensor.

29. The diagnostic system of claim 17, wherein the display unit displays the changed electrical characteristic using any one of a barcode, a Quick Response (QR) code, and a display bar.

30. The diagnostic system of claim 17, wherein the display unit comprises at least one of electronic (e) ink and an electrochromic element.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a diagnostic strip and a diagnostic system using the same.

Background

Since the existing test strip is only a test strip product, body fluid (collected blood, etc.) is applied to the test strip and components in the blood are analyzed using a separate measuring instrument. Existing test strips only serve as carriers for providing body fluids (blood, etc.) applied to the test strip to individual measuring instruments, or such existing test strips provide only inaccurate analytical results. Therefore, the accuracy of the measurement cannot be ensured due to contamination of the body fluid with foreign substances before being supplied to the measuring instrument, and the like.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

The present invention is directed to providing a strip and a diagnostic system which perform a quantitative test using a portable terminal immediately after collecting body fluid and can determine the test result.

Problem solving scheme

There is provided a diagnostic strip for reacting with a target to perform a diagnosis, the diagnostic strip comprising: a connector connected to the power supply unit and supplying driving power to the diagnostic strip; an introduction path that transports a body fluid containing a target; a reaction unit that reacts with a target and an electrical characteristic changes according to the reaction; and a display unit receiving the driving power and displaying a state varying according to the changed electrical characteristic of the reaction unit.

Providing a diagnostic system comprising: a reaction unit whose electrical characteristics are changed according to a reaction with a target contained in a body fluid; a display unit displaying a code, a display state of which changes corresponding to the changed electrical characteristic; and a connector electrically connected to the power supply unit and receiving the driving power; and the power supply unit is electrically connected to the diagnostic strip through the connector and supplies driving power to the diagnostic strip.

Advantageous effects

According to the diagnostic strip and the diagnostic system, the body fluid is introduced into the introduction path, and the power is received from the power supply unit to immediately confirm the detection result.

drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overview of a diagnostic strip according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an overview of a diagnostic system according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an overview of a diagnostic strip according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a top transparent view illustrating an overview of a diagnostic strip according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart schematically illustrating the operation of the diagnostic system.

Fig. 6 and 7 are perspective views illustrating the operation of the diagnostic system.

Fig. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram of a reaction unit and a display unit.

Fig. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a diagnostic strip including a display unit and an overview display unit.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing an overview of the diagnostic strip.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a diagnostic strip.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of the diagnostic strip.

Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the display unit.

Fig. 14(a) and 14(b) are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the diagnostic system.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which the smart strip is connected to the portable terminal as the power supply unit.

Detailed Description

Modes for carrying out the invention

First embodiment

Hereinafter, a diagnostic strip and a diagnostic system 1 using the same according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overview of a diagnostic strip 10 according to an embodiment. Referring to fig. 1, a diagnostic strip 10 according to one embodiment includes: an introduction path 100 to which a body fluid containing a target is supplied; a reaction unit 200 reacting with a target and having an electrical characteristic changing according to the reaction; and a display unit 300 whose display state is changed to correspond to the electrical characteristic changed according to the reaction.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an overview of a diagnostic system according to an embodiment. Referring to fig. 2, the diagnostic system includes a diagnostic strip 10 and a terminal 20 for executing an application, the diagnostic strip 10 including: a reaction unit 200 of which an electrical characteristic is changed according to a reaction with a target contained in the body fluid introduced through the introduction path 100; and a display unit 300, the display unit 300 displaying a code readable by the terminal 20 and a display state thereof being changed to correspond to an electrical characteristic changed according to the reaction, and the application program supplying driving power to the strip 10 by driving the terminal 20, reading information from a code image acquired from the diagnostic strip 10, and controlling the terminal 20 to display the information on the terminal.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an overview of the diagnostic strip 10 according to an embodiment, and fig. 4 is a top transparent view illustrating an overview of the diagnostic strip 10 according to an embodiment. Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the introduction path 100 provides a body fluid to the reaction unit 200. The introduction path 100 may have a shape for introducing bodily fluids into the diagnostic strip. As shown in the embodiment of fig. 3 and 4, the introduction path 100 is formed as a capillary tube, and introduces the body fluid into the reaction unit 200 in the diagnostic strip 10 using a capillary phenomenon. According to an embodiment not shown in the drawings, the introduction path 100 may be formed to expose the reaction unit 200, and the body fluid may be dripped onto the reaction unit. According to another embodiment, not shown in the figures, the introduction path may have a tube form into which the tip of the carrier member containing the body fluid, such as a syringe, is inserted.

the reaction unit 200 may include a first reaction unit 210 reacting with a target as a detection object and a second reaction unit 220 reacting with a body fluid. The first reaction unit 210 may further include a reaction substance that reacts with a target as a detection object to change a resistance value. The first reaction unit 210 and the second reaction unit 220 may be formed of the same substance or similar substances, except that a reaction substance reacting with a target substance is further formed in the first reaction unit 210.

According to an embodiment, when the target as the detection object is blood glucose (glucose), the first reaction unit 210 may include glucose oxidase having a resistance value forming hydrogen peroxide (H) through an oxidation reaction with blood glucose contained in body fluid as a reaction substance₂O₂) But is changed. The first reaction unit 210 may react not only with a target in a body fluid but also with the body fluid so that electrical characteristics may be changed. When the first reaction unit 220, which is identical or similar to the first reaction unit 210, is provided to obtain a difference between the reaction occurring at the first reaction unit 210 and the reaction occurring at the second reaction unit 220, it is possible to exclude the result of the reaction between the body fluid and the reaction units and to detect a change in electrical characteristics due to the reaction between the target and the reaction substance.

According to an embodiment, the reaction unit 200 may be formed by performing a printing process. As the printing process for forming the reaction unit, it is possible to use a transfer process in which printing is performed after a substance for forming the reaction unit is applied to a mold, an inkjet printing process in which a substance for forming the reaction unit is discharged from a nozzle, a gravure printing process in which a substance for forming the reaction unit is printed using a roller, and a roll-to-roll printing process. Also, during the process of printing the reaction unit 200, one or more of the reaction unit 200, the display unit 300, and the power supply unit 400 may be formed.

In one embodiment of fig. 3 and 4, the display unit 300 may display the machine-readable code through a device. The code displayed by the display unit 300 is a code in which reaction information between the target and the reaction substance can be displayed according to a predetermined encoding rule and can be read by the device.

According to an embodiment, the display unit 300 may include: a variable code display unit 310 which displays information changed according to a reaction between the body fluid and the reaction unit 200; and a fixed code display unit 320 which displays information that does not change even when a reaction occurs between the body fluid and the reaction unit 200.

According to an embodiment, the code displayed by the display unit 300 is a Quick Response (QR) code, which changes according to the reaction result and displays information according to the reaction. In an embodiment not shown in the drawings, the code displayed by the display unit is a bar code. In another embodiment not shown in the drawings, the code displayed by the display unit 300 may be a display bar, the color of which may be changed according to a quantitative value.

In an embodiment, the variable code display unit 310 may include a light emitting element, such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), or the like, which emits or does not emit light due to a voltage provided by a reaction between the target and the reaction unit 200, thereby changing the code displayed by the variable code display unit 310.

In another embodiment, the variable code display unit 310 may include variable color elements. In an example, the variable color element may be implemented as an element in which colloidal particles are distributed, and the positions of the colloidal particles are changed according to a voltage supplied to the element, so that a color displayed to the outside is changed.

in another embodiment, the variable color element may be implemented as an electrochromic element. The electrochromic element means an element containing an electrochromic substance, the color of which changes according to an electrochemical redox reaction occurring when a voltage is supplied, and changes as the voltage is supplied.

In one example, the electrochromic element may comprise WO₃、Nb₂O₅、MoO₃And TiO₃As the electrochromic material, it is a cathodochromic material which becomes colorless in an oxidized state. In another example, V may be included₂O₅、IrO₂And NiO as an anodic color developing (anodic color) material that develops color in an oxidized state.

Accordingly, the code displayed by the variable code display unit 310 is changed according to the voltage provided by the reaction between the target and the reaction unit 200.

In another embodiment, variable code display unit 310 may be implemented as electronic (e) ink. The electronic ink comprises capsules and pigments, which are injected into the capsules and carry different charges. When a voltage generated by a reaction between the target and the reaction unit 200 is provided between one side and the other side of the capsule, the charged pigments move according to the magnitude and polarity of the voltage and change the code displayed by the variable code display unit 310.

The fixed code display unit 320 displays the determined code regardless of the reaction between the target and the reaction substance. Since the displayed contents are not changed, the fixed code display unit 330 may be printed and displayed. As an example, when the code displayed by the display unit 300 is a QR code, the variable code display unit 310 encodes reaction information according to a QR code rule and displays the encoded reaction information, and the fixed code display unit 320 displays an element indicating the directivity of the QR code. As another example, when the code displayed by the display unit 300 is a barcode, the fixed code display unit 320 may be a guardrail displayed at the left and right sides and the center of the barcode so that reaction information can be distinguished. The variable code display unit 310 may be positioned between the fixed code display units 320 and may encode and display reaction information into a combination of columns having different thicknesses.

The power supply unit 400 supplies power to the diagnostic strip 10. According to an embodiment, the power providing unit 400 may include an inductive coupling device that is inductively coupled to the terminal and receives power. For example, the inductive coupling device may include a rectenna, which collects and rectifies the electric wave provided by the terminal for output. The rectenna may include: an antenna 410 formed as a coil to receive power wirelessly transmitted by the terminal 20; and a rectifying device 420 rectifying the received signal. In an embodiment not shown in the drawings, the power supply unit 400 may further include a capacitor that smoothes the pulse wave output from the rectifying antenna and stores energy. In an embodiment, as described above, the power supply unit 400 may be formed through a printing process for forming the reaction unit 200 and the display unit 300.

According to a further embodiment, the power providing unit may comprise a button or coin cell battery and enable a user to use the button or coin cell battery together with the inductive coupling device.

According to another implementation, the power providing unit may include an energy conversion element and an electrical energy storage element. The energy conversion element is an element that converts supplied mechanical energy into electrical energy. The user provides mechanical energy to the energy conversion element, and the energy conversion element converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy and outputs the electrical energy to the electrical energy storage element. In an example, the energy conversion element may be a piezoelectric element that converts mechanical energy provided by a user pressing the energy conversion element into electrical energy. In another example, the energy conversion element may be an element that converts mechanical energy caused by friction into electrical energy.

The diagnostic strip 10 may be driven using energy stored in an electrical energy storage element.

The operation of the diagnostic system 1 will be described below. Fig. 5 is a flow chart schematically illustrating the operation of the diagnostic system 1. Referring to fig. 5, in one embodiment, a body fluid containing a target is provided through an introduction path 100 of the diagnostic strip 10 (S100). When the body fluid is provided, the first reaction unit 210 (which contains a reaction substance reacting with the target) reacts with the body fluid and the target, so that the electrical characteristics may be changed. The second reaction unit 220 provided with the body fluid reacts with the body fluid so that the electrical characteristics thereof can be changed.

In one embodiment, the terminal 20 may be inductively coupled to the diagnostic strip 10, thereby providing driving power to the diagnostic strip 10. In another embodiment, diagnostic strip 10 may receive drive power from a primary battery embedded therein. The process of providing drive power to diagnostic strip 10 may be performed after the process of providing bodily fluid to diagnostic strip 10 in one example and before the process of providing bodily fluid to diagnostic strip 10 in another example.

The diagnostic strip 10 receiving the driving power may display a code corresponding to the reaction result on the display unit 300, and the terminal 20 may read the code and provide the reaction result to the user (S200). According to an embodiment, the display unit 300 may obtain a difference between the reaction result of the first reaction unit 210 and the reaction result of the second reaction unit 220, and generate a code corresponding to the difference and display the code.

According to an embodiment, the terminal 20 may save the read result to a server through a communication network. According to another embodiment, the terminal 20 may store the read result therein. When it is necessary to monitor the reaction result for a long time, the terminal 20 may plot the stored information in the form of a graph and provide it to the user.

Fig. 6 and 7 are perspective views illustrating the operation of the diagnostic system 1, and fig. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram of the reaction unit 200 and the display unit 300. Referring to fig. 6 and 7, when a body fluid is supplied to the introduction path 100, the body fluid is supplied to the reaction unit 200. In an embodiment, when the user runs an application on the portable terminal 20, the application may control the portable terminal 20 so that the display unit 300 of the frame F and the diagnostic bar may be displayed on the screen of the portable terminal 20. According to an embodiment, the application program may acquire an image of the display unit 300 of the diagnostic strip 10 by using a camera (not shown) included in the portable terminal and display the acquired image having the frame F on the screen of the portable terminal.

According to an embodiment, the application may provide power while the distance between the portable terminal 20 and the diagnostic strip 10 is maintained at a predetermined distance. When the distance between the portable terminal 20 and the diagnostic strip 10 is short, the portable terminal 20 may provide more voltage than is required for the diagnostic strip 10, and when the distance between the portable terminal 20 and the diagnostic strip 10 is long, the portable terminal 20 may not provide voltage sufficient to drive the display unit 300.

In an example, as shown in fig. 6, a frame F displayed on a screen of the portable terminal 20 may be compared with the size of the display unit 300, and when the frame F and the size of the display unit 300 correspond to each other, power may be wirelessly supplied to the portable terminal through the portable terminal.

In another example, as shown in fig. 7, one or more light emitting elements L1, L2, and L3 may be provided in the diagnostic strip 10 to indicate the level of voltage provided by the portable terminal. As an example, in an embodiment including one light emitting element, the light emitting element may be controlled to emit light only when the voltage level provided by the portable terminal 20 is appropriate. As another example, in an embodiment including a plurality of light emitting elements, any one of the light emitting elements may emit light when the voltage supplied by the portable terminal 20 is higher than the target voltage, another light emitting element may emit light when the voltage supplied by the portable terminal 20 is lower than the target voltage, and another light emitting element may emit light when the voltage supplied by the portable terminal 20 is within the range of the target voltage. According to another embodiment not shown in the drawings, the magnitude of the voltage received by the diagnostic strip 10 may be shown in the form of text, color, bar code, etc.

Accordingly, the user may adjust the distance between the portable terminal 20 and the diagnostic strip 10 so that the portable terminal 10 may provide an appropriate driving voltage to the diagnostic strip 10.

According to another embodiment, the application may control the terminal to wirelessly transfer power when the user runs the application. According to an embodiment, the portable terminal 20 may provide power to the diagnostic strip 10 through Near Field Communication (NFC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), or the like.

According to an embodiment, the power providing unit 300 may further include a zener diode (not shown) clamping the magnitude of the provided voltage. When the spaced distance between the portable terminal 20 and the diagnostic strip 10 is short, a voltage equal to or higher than a voltage required for driving may be supplied to the diagnostic strip 10. When a voltage lower than a voltage required for driving is supplied, the zener diode may clamp the voltage so as not to apply an overvoltage to the internal circuit.

When the driving power is supplied from the portable terminal 20 to the diagnosis bar 10, the display unit 300 may display the target detection result. When it is intended to detect the amount of the target in the body fluid, the reaction substance (which is contained in the first reaction unit 210 and reacts with the target) reacts with the target to change the resistance value. Also, although the first reaction unit 210 may react with a component other than the target to change the resistance value, the influence of the reaction with the component other than the target may be compensated for by the second reaction unit 220.

In an embodiment for detecting blood glucose in blood, the blood introduced into the introduction path 100 may be provided to the first reaction unit 210 and the second reaction unit 220. The change in the electrical characteristic exhibited by the first reaction unit 210 is a combination of a change made by a reaction between blood glucose in blood and the first reaction unit 210 and a change made by a reaction between blood other than blood glucose and the first reaction unit 210. Since glucose oxidase reacting with blood glucose is not included in the second reaction unit 210, it may react with components other than blood glucose in blood, so that electrical characteristics may be changed.

As shown in fig. 8, it is possible to assume that the resistance resulting from the reaction of blood glucose with the first reaction unit 210 is R2, the resistance resulting from the reaction of body fluid other than the target with the first reaction unit 210 is R4, and the resistance resulting from the reaction of body fluid with the second reaction unit 220 is R3. Also, the voltage V provided by the portable terminal 10 may be provided to one end of a closed loop shown in the drawing, and since R2, R4, and R3 are included in the same closed loop, the same current i may flow. In this case, the first reaction unit 210 may be the same as or similar to the second reaction unit 220, except that the first reaction unit 210 further includes a reaction substance that reacts with a target to change an electrical characteristic. Accordingly, a voltage drop Vb occurring in the resistor R3 resulting from the reaction of the second reaction unit 220 with the body fluid may have the same level as a voltage Va occurring in the resistor R4 resulting from the reaction of the first reaction unit 210 with the body fluid other than the target. Therefore, Va and Vb are similar in size and can cancel each other out. The voltage supplied to both ends of the display unit 300 is obtained from the voltage drop caused by the reaction of the target in the body fluid with the reactive substance.

The display unit 300 may include a resistor array RA. The resistor array RA includes resistors having different resistance values. In fig. 8, the display elements included in the variable code display unit 310 are modeled as resistors Rd1, Rd2 …, and Rd5 connected to resistors included in the resistor array RA. When a voltage is supplied to both ends of the display unit 300, the voltage is divided to correspond to the resistance value included in the resistor array and the equivalent resistance value of the variable code display unit.

The voltage supplied to both ends of the equivalent resistor of the variable code display unit 310 corresponds to a resistance ratio between the resistor included in the resistor array and the equivalent resistor of the variable code display unit 310. For example, Ra1 included in the resistor array is 0.5 Ω, Ra2 is 1 Ω, Ra3 is 1.5 Ω, Ra4 is 2 Ω and Ra5 may be 2.5 Ω, Rd1 to Rd5 are all 1 Ω, voltages supplied to display elements modeled as Rd1 to Rd5 may be V1, V2 …, and V5, respectively, and the display elements modeled as Rd1 to Rd5 may be turned on at a voltage of 1.3V or more.

When the voltage supplied to the display unit 300 according to the resistance change by the reaction between the target and the reactive substance in the body fluid is 3V, the both-terminal voltage V1 of Rd1, the both-terminal voltage V2 of Rd2, the both-terminal voltage V3 of Rd3, the both-terminal voltage V4 of Rd4, and the both-terminal voltage V5 of Rd5, which are obtained by voltage division, are 2V, 1.5V, and about 0.86V. Since both V1 and V2 are equal to or higher than the turn-on voltage, it is possible to know that the display elements modeled as Rd1 and Rd2 are turned on and the other display elements are turned off.

As another example, when the voltage supplied to the display unit 300 is 6V, the end-to-end voltage V1 of Rd1 obtained by voltage division is 4V, the end-to-end voltage V2 of Rd2 is 3V, the end-to-end voltage V3 of Rd3 is 2.4V, the end-to-end voltage V4 of Rd4 is 2V, and the end-to-end voltage V5 of Rd5 is about 1.71V. Thus, they are all equal to or higher than the turn-on voltage, so display elements modeled as Rd1 through Rd5 can be turned on.

Accordingly, the code displayed by the variable code display unit 310 may be changed according to the voltage formed according to the resistance change made by the reaction between the target and the reaction substance, and the display unit 300 may display the code corresponding to the target concentration in the body fluid, whether the target is present in the body fluid, etc., accordingly.

The portable terminal 20 may read the code displayed by the display unit 300 and display the read result on the screen. Referring to fig. 6, when it is intended to detect the blood glucose concentration in blood, the display unit 300 displays a code corresponding to the blood glucose concentration in blood, and the portable terminal 20 reads the code and displays the reading result on a screen. According to an embodiment, the portable terminal may provide the read result to the server, so that the personalized measurement result may be stored.

According to another embodiment of the diagnostic strip 10, the diagnostic strip 10 may further comprise an overview display unit which schematically displays to a user the reaction result between the target and the reaction unit. Fig. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the diagnostic strip 10 including the display unit 300 and the overview display unit 500. For example, referring to fig. 9, as shown in the example in fig. 9(a), the display unit 300 and the overview display unit 500 may be separately arranged on the surface of the diagnostic strip 10. Ten pixels may be arranged horizontally in one row, and each row may be arranged vertically one by one. As shown in the example in the drawing, two rows (10 pixels are horizontally arranged in each of the rows) are vertically arranged, and three pixels display codes in the uppermost row, so that the codes displayed by the variable code unit correspond to 23. Thus, the measurement result can be derived by reading the code.

As shown in another example in fig. 9(b), the overview display unit 500 may be displayed to overlap with the display unit 300. As an example, the overview display unit 500 may have 10 pixels horizontally arranged as one row and the respective rows may be vertically arranged one by one, with a value corresponding to one pixel being 5. As shown in the example of the drawing, two rows (10 pixels are horizontally arranged in each of the rows) are vertically arranged, and three pixels display codes in the uppermost row, so that the codes displayed by the variable code unit correspond to 23. Since the value corresponding to one pixel is 5, the code correspondence 115 can be obtained by reading the code accordingly.

Similar to the variable code display unit 310, the overview display unit 500 may be implemented by a light emitting element (a light emitting diode, an OLED, etc.), a variable color element, an electrochromic element, electronic ink, etc., of which display states are changed to correspond to electrical characteristics changed according to a reaction between the reaction unit and the target.

Second embodiment

Hereinafter, embodiments of a diagnostic strip and a diagnostic system using the diagnostic strip will be described. For the sake of brevity and clarity, descriptions of the same or similar contents as those described above may be omitted. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing an overview of the diagnostic strip 10, and fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the diagnostic strip 10. Referring to fig. 10, the diagnostic strip 10 reacts with the target to perform a diagnosis. The diagnostic strip 10 includes: a connector 410 that is connected to the power supply unit 20 (see fig. 15) and supplies the driving power received from the power supply unit to the diagnostic strip; an introduction path 100 that delivers a body fluid containing a target to the reaction unit 200; the reaction unit 200 reacting with a target and having an electrical characteristic changed according to the reaction; and a display unit 300 which receives the driving power and whose display state is changed according to the changed electrical characteristics of the reaction unit 200.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 10, driving power for driving the diagnostic strip 10 is received from the power supply unit 20 (see fig. 15) through the connector 410. As an example, the power providing unit may be a mobile terminal such as a cellular phone, a tablet computer, or the like, and as another example, the power providing unit may be a personal computer. Further, as another example, the power supply unit may be an auxiliary battery.

For one embodiment, the connector may be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) compliant connector. As an example, as shown in the example of fig. 10, the connector may be a micro-B (micro-Btype)5 pin male connector of the universal serial bus standard. In another example not shown in the drawings, the connector may be any one of the following: micro-B type female connectors, standard a type male connectors, standard a type female connectors, standard B type male connectors, standard B type female connectors, mini B type male connectors, mini B type female connectors, C type male connectors, and C type female connectors. In another example not shown in the drawings, the connector may be any one of a lightning male connector and a lightning female connector conforming to the standard of a lightning connector.

In one embodiment, when the connector is a male connector, the connector may be inserted into a female connector formed in the power supply unit and receive power, and when the connector is a female connector, the connector may receive power through a cable connected to the power supply unit, or the male connector of the power supply unit may be inserted into the connector to receive power.

fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the diagnostic strip 10. Fig. 11 is shown with an enlarged thickness and size for ease of understanding. Referring to fig. 11, the substrate sub may be a synthetic resin substrate. For example, the substrate sub may be formed of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

As shown, the conductive substance line w is arranged on one surface of the substrate sub according to the standard of the connector, and the substrate sub and the cover C are cut to conform to the standard specification of the connector, thereby forming the connector 410. As an example, the conductive substance line w may print a conductive paste containing silver (Ag) by a printing technique, such as inkjet printing, gravure printing, transfer printing, etc., to conform to a connector standard. As an example not shown in the drawings, a connector module complying with the required connector standard may be attached to the diagnostic strip.

For one embodiment, the display unit 300 may be an electrochromic device. As an example, the electrochromic element is formed by stacking a transparent electrode, an anodic coloring substance layer or ion storage layer, an electrolyte layer, a cathodic coloring substance, and a transparent electrode on a pair of substrates, the anodic coloring substance layer or ion storage layer supplies cations and is thus oxidized and developed when a voltage is supplied in one direction between the transparent electrodes, and the cathodic coloring substance layer receiving the cations through the electrolyte layer is reduced and developed. When a voltage is applied between the transparent electrodes in the reverse direction, the above-described oxidation and reduction reactions occur in reverse, thereby being discolored and becoming transparent.

In an embodiment, the display unit 300 may be implemented as a display bar as shown in fig. 10. The display section may display surrounding environment information that affects detection of the target, such as the presence or absence of the target to be detected, the concentration of the target, the hydrogen ion concentration (pH), the temperature, the humidity, and the like, to correspond to the detected value. In embodiments not shown in the drawings, the display unit 300 may display a display bar together with a machine-readable code (e.g., a QR code or a barcode), and further include the overview display unit shown in fig. 9.

The reaction cell 200 is a substance that reacts with an object to be detected and changes electrical characteristics. In one embodiment, the reaction cell is a substance whose electrical characteristics are changed according to an enzyme reaction or a redox reaction associated with the enzyme reaction with a target as an object of detection. For example, the reaction unit may contain a glucose oxidizing agent that reacts with glucose, a cholesterol oxidizing agent that reacts with cholesterol, and the like.

In another embodiment, the reaction unit may be a substance whose electrical characteristics are changed according to an antigen-antibody reaction with a target as a detection object. For example, the reaction unit may be any one of the following: anti-influenza a antibodies reactive with Avian Influenza (AI) virus, anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpiCAM) reactive with cancer cells, anti-Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2), anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and anti-Cancer Antigen (CA) antibodies, and anti-apolipoprotein B antibodies reactive with lipids in blood.

in another embodiment, the reaction unit may further comprise a probe that complementarily binds to the target to be detected, and may be a substance that binds to the target and has an altered electrical property. For example, the reaction unit may comprise a probe: the probe has an aptamer (aptamer) that binds to a protein and a nucleotide label as a detection target, and a nucleotide having a sequence complementary to the detection target.

according to an embodiment, the reaction cell 200 may be manufactured as an electrochemical-based sensor that utilizes a reaction with a substrate of a specific enzyme and a redox reaction associated with the reaction. According to another embodiment, the reaction unit 200 may be manufactured as a sensor using a binding reaction of a receptor.

For example, in reactions utilizing enzymes, electrical changes are detected by redox reactions of the electron transfer mediator with or without a glucose oxidizing agent. Further, a receptor that selectively binds to a virus, a protein, a cancer cell, DNA, or the like is immobilized by a specific chemical reaction, and an electrical change caused by the binding reaction with a target is detected.

Receptors (e.g., aptamers) and antigens as an example can be coated directly onto a surface. As another example, graphene oxide, poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene), poly (styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT: PSS), gold nanoparticles, and the like may be coated with an auxiliary device. As an example, the reaction unit 200 may be formed by a printing technique such as inkjet printing, gravure printing, transfer printing, or the like.

As an example, the reaction unit 200 may be a substance that reacts with blood glucose and changes electrical characteristics. As another example, the reaction unit 200 may be a substance that reacts with the AI virus and changes electrical characteristics. As another example, the reaction unit 200 may be a substance that reacts with cancer cells and changes electrical characteristics. As another example, the reaction unit 200 may be a substance that reacts with cholesterol and changes electrical characteristics. As another example, the reaction unit 200 may be a substance that reacts with lipid in blood and changes electrical characteristics.

the resistors R are formed in an array and may be connected to unit display elements included in the variable code display unit 310 (see fig. 13). The resistor may be formed of a substance having a known resistivity having a preset length to have a target resistance value. As an example, the resistor may have a desired resistance value by printing PEDOT: PSS at a preset length.

The cover C may be bonded to the base plate sub and protect the diagnostic strip 10. For example, the cover C may be coupled to the base plate sub in a coupling form such as a protrusion and a recess, a screw coupling using a screw, a coupling using a barb-shaped hook, or the like, or the cover C and the base plate sub may be coupled by being adhered to the spacer S. The spacer S may maintain a distance between the cover C and the substrate sub and may prevent unnecessary pressure from being applied to a structure formed on the substrate when bonding. For example, the cover C and the spacer S may be formed of a synthetic resin, which may be the same material as the substrate sub. According to an embodiment, the cover C is formed of a transparent material and thus transmits content displayed by the display unit 300. According to another embodiment, the cover C may be formed of an opaque material, but the window may be formed to transmit contents displayed by the display unit 300.

In an embodiment, the conductive substance line w and the resistor R are printed and formed on the substrate sub, the reaction unit 200 is printed after the pre-assembled display unit 300 is arranged, and the cover C is bonded to the substrate, so that the diagnostic strip 10 may be formed. In another embodiment, the connector module is connected to a substrate sub formed with the conductive substance w, the resistor R, the display unit 300, and the reaction unit 200, and the cover C is bonded to the substrate, thereby forming the diagnostic strip 10. In another embodiment, the conductive substance line w and the resistor R are printed and formed on the substrate sub, and after the display unit 300 is formed by stacking the transparent electrode, the anode color-developing substance layer or the ion storage layer, the electrolyte layer, the cathode color-developing substance, and the transparent electrode, the diagnostic strip 10 may be formed by printing the reaction unit 200 and bonding the cover C to the substrate.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of the diagnostic strip 10. Referring to fig. 12, when a body fluid containing a target is provided to the introduction path 100, the body fluid is provided to the first reaction unit 210 and the second reaction unit 220. The resistance of the first reaction unit 210 reacting with the target is R2, and the resistance of the first reaction unit 210 reacting with the body fluid other than the target is R4. Also, the resistance of the second reaction unit 220 reacting with the body fluid is R3. In the closed loop shown in the figure, the voltage V is supplied from the power supply unit via a connector 410. In one embodiment, diagnostic strip 10 further comprises a capacitor C that is charged with the voltage provided by the power providing unit.

as described in the above embodiment, the voltage drop occurring at the resistor R3 is the same as the voltage drop occurring at the resistor R4. Therefore, the electrical characteristics resulting from the reaction of the body fluid other than the object with the reaction unit are less affected by the second reaction unit 220. The display unit 300 is driven by being supplied with a voltage component formed by a reaction between the object and the first reaction unit 210. The supplied voltage is divided by the resistor array RA and the display element, and the divided voltage is supplied to the variable code display unit 310.

Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the display unit 300. Referring to fig. 13, the display unit 300 includes a resistor array RA and a variable code display unit 310. In the resistor array RA, the resistor R5 and the unit display elements 310e constituting the variable code display unit 310 are connected in series, and these are connected in parallel with the unit display elements 310 d. The unit display elements 310d are connected in series with the resistor R4, and these are connected in parallel with the unit display elements 310 c. These are connected in series with the resistor R3 and in parallel with the unit display element 310 b. These are again connected in series with resistor R2, and in parallel with unit display element 310a, and in series with resistor R1.

The resistance value of the resistor array may be reduced to form a voltage that is divided to be supplied to the unit display elements connected in this series and parallel configuration. For example, the resistance values of the unit display elements 310a, 310b, 310c, and 310d are all 100k Ω, and the value of the resistor Rd is 250k Ω, the value of the resistor Rc is 84k Ω, the value of the resistor Rb is 41k Ω, and the value of the resistor Ra is 25k Ω. When a voltage of 5V is supplied to both ends of the display unit 300, 4V is supplied to both ends of the unit display element 310a, 3V is supplied to both ends of the unit display element 310b, 2V is supplied to both ends of the unit display element 310c, and 1V is supplied to both ends of the unit display element 310d, respectively.

Considering a structure in which different resistors are connected in series to the respective unit display elements 310a, 310b, 310c, and 310d and all of them are connected in parallel, resistance values connected in series to the unit display elements 310a, 310b, 310c, and 310d are 45k Ω, 126k Ω, 290k Ω, and 780k Ω, respectively, and the sum of their resistance values is 1241k Ω. According to the embodiment shown in fig. 13 as an example, since the resistor R4 has a value of 490k Ω, the resistor R3 has a value of 164k Ω, the resistor R2 has a value of 81k Ω, and the resistor R1 has a value of 450k Ω, the total is 780 Ω. Therefore, there is an advantage in that an area required for forming the resistor can be reduced.

Referring back to fig. 12, the diagnostic strip 10 may further include an environmental sensor 250, the environmental sensor 250 being used to measure an element that affects a reaction between the first reaction unit 210 and the target. According to an embodiment, the environmental sensor 250 may further include at least one of: a hydrogen ion concentration sensor that receives a body fluid containing a target and measures a hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the body fluid; a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the environment in which the diagnostic strip 10 is located; and a humidity sensor that measures the humidity of the environment in which diagnostic strip 10 is located.

According to an embodiment, the diagnostic strip 10 may display the result measured by the environmental sensor 250 through the display unit 300. Although fig. 12 shows that a single display unit is connected to the environment sensor 250, when the environment sensor 250 includes a plurality of sensors among the hydrogen ion concentration sensor, the temperature sensor, and the humidity sensor, measurement result values of the sensors may be displayed by a plurality of display units.

Since the hydrogen ion concentration of the body fluid, the temperature and humidity of the environment in which the diagnostic strip 10 is located can be measured using the environment sensor 250, there is an advantage in that the reaction result between the target and the first reaction unit can be calibrated using these factors, so that a more accurate measurement result can be obtained.

The smart strip and the diagnostic strip using the smart strip will be described below with reference to fig. 14. Fig. 14(a) and 14(b) are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the diagnostic system. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which the smart bar 10 is connected to a portable terminal as a power supply unit.

Referring to fig. 14(a), a body fluid containing a target is provided to the smart strip (S10 a). As the body fluid and the target are provided, the first and second reaction units 210 and 220 react with the target and the body fluid, and thus the electrical characteristics are changed.

The connector 410 of the smart strip and the connector of the power supply unit are connected so that power is received from the power supply unit (S20 a). According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the male connector 410 of the smart strip is inserted into the female connector formed in the portable terminal 20 as the power supply unit, thereby connecting the power supply unit with the smart strip. According to an embodiment not shown in the drawings, the female connector may be formed in both the smart strip and the power supply unit, and the smart strip and the power supply unit may be connected by a cable having male connectors formed at both ends.

As power is supplied to the smart bar 10, a voltage corresponding to a reaction between the target and the reaction cell is supplied to the unit display element included in the variable code display unit 310, and the display unit 300 displays a result corresponding to the reaction (S30 a). According to an embodiment shown in fig. 15, although the display unit 300 displays the reaction result using the display bar, the reaction result may be displayed as a QR code as a machine-readable code as shown in an embodiment of fig. 6 and 7.

Also, as shown in the embodiment of fig. 14(b), after the smart strip 10 is connected to the power supply unit (S10b) such that the capacitor C (see fig. 12) of the smart strip is charged with a voltage, body fluid is supplied to the smart strip 10(S20b), so that the reaction result may be read (S30 b).

While the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings for the purpose of facilitating understanding, it is an embodiment for the purpose of implementation and is merely exemplary, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments may be made thereto. Therefore, the true technical scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As already described above.