App-based urine test system

Urine test strips are common in-vitro diagnostic tools in the determination of a patient’s metabolic and pathophysiological changes from their urine. Commercial urine test strips have multiple different chemical pads which react and change colour upon immersion into a urine sample. Each characteristic colour and its intensity are approximately proportional to the analyte concentration in the urine sample. To determine the analyte concentration, a comparison of the colour and its intensity is compared to a colorimetric table on a separate manual. This comparison is done through visual observations and could potentially bring about errors in analysis.

In this technology, an app-based urine test system is developed where urine analysis is semi-automated via app-based colour determination.

The urine test system has the following features:

• Following colour formation, a photograph can be taken of the urine test strip using any consumer electronic devices such as tablet, smart phones etc.  
• The app will then perform the analysis of the photographed image to determine the concentration of the analyte present via the QR code or April tag on the urine test strip.
• Top and bottom markers of the urine test strip allow for correction of strip position which could vary from one photograph to another.
• Indicators on the test strip perform a timer-like function and help to indicate to the user the elapsed time of urine immersion. This helps improve results accuracy.
• Accurate results can be obtained regardless of the surrounding lighting environment.

• Disease diagnostics
• Consumer screening tool

The global market size of in-vitro urine test is estimated to be about US1759 million dollars and expected to have a CAGR of 5.8% by 2023.

• No additional equipment is required
• Accurate results from a portal system