Paper sensing and analytic service workflow methods and systems

• US 10,175,162 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2015
• Issued: 01/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Jia, Nancy Y., Kanungo, Mandakini, Hong, Wei, Zhou, Jing
• Primary Examiner(s): White, Dennis
• Application Number:
  US14/825,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20160054229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,244 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7759 Dipstick; Test strip
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/251 Colorimeters; Construction thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/253 for batch operation, i.e. multisample apparatus analytical automats G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8483 Investigating reagent band test-element handling not specific to a test method G01N33/4875; analytical elements specific to chemical analysis of biological material G01N33/52; autometer with reagent band G01N35/04
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

This disclosure provides a workflow method and system associated with a paper-based sensor. Specifically, provided is a paper-based sensor workflow including printing of customized security sensing information and bio-reagents to produce a paper-based sensor, applying a test material, such as, but not limited to, blood, to the paper-based sensor, capturing an image of the paper-based sensor and performing a colorimetric process; and performing one or more analytics to produce results associated with the test material.

Claims

1. A paper-based sensor method comprising:

in response to a test sample of a substance being applied to a paper-based sensor, the paper-based sensor reacting to the test sample to generate one or more color indicators, wherein the paper-based sensor includes a reference color thereon and a plurality of test zones each operative to display a color change by reaction of a reagent to an analyte in the test sample, wherein each test zone is associated with a different concentration of the reagent;

at a server computer, receiving a captured image of the paper-based sensor after the test sample is applied to the paper-based sensor;

at the server computer, processing the captured image to detect the reference color and color change on the paper-based sensor;

at the server computer, using the color changes in the plurality of test zones, generating a calibration curve of an associated image capture device by which the image was received;

at the server computer, determining a signal of the reference color;

applying the signal to the calibration curve to compute a color concentration gradient of the reagent of the test sample;

acquiring a clinical range chart from a database;

applying the color concentration gradient to the clinical range chart to determine a total concentration level of the analyte in the test sample;

processing one of tracking information, personal identification information, security information, color calibration information, and environmental indicators; and

using the information, applying the total concentration to a historical curve for a patient of which the test sample is received.

2. The paper-based sensor method according to claim 1, comprising:

communicating one or more attributes associated with the test sample to a user.

3. The paper-based sensor method according to claim 2, comprising:

performing predictive analytics for monitoring the user'"'"'s health conditions.

4. The paper-based sensor method according to claim 1, wherein the paper-based sensor includes tracking information, environmental indicators and security information, and the method validates the captured image of the paper-based sensor based on one or more of the tracking information, environmental indicators and security information.

5. The paper-based sensor method according to claim 1, wherein capturing the image of the paper-based sensor comprises a camera phone.

6. A computer program product comprising:

a non-transitory computer-usable data carrier storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of claim 1.

7. The computer program product according to claim 6, the method further comprising:

communicating one or more attributes associated with the test sample to a user.

8. The computer program product according to claim 7, wherein the paper-based sensor includes three or more of tracking information, personal identification information, security information, color calibration information, and environmental indicators.

9. The computer program product according to claim 8, the method further comprising:

performing predictive analytics for monitoring the user'"'"'s health conditions.

10. The computer program product according to claim 9, wherein the paper-based sensor includes tracking information, environmental indicators and security information, and the method validates the captured image of the paper-based sensor based on one or more of the tracking information, environmental indicators and security information.

11. A paper-based sensor processing system comprising:

a paper-based sensor, including a reference color thereon and a plurality of test zones each operative to display a color change by reaction of a reagent to an analyte in a test sample being applied to the paper-based sensor, wherein each test zone is associated with a different concentration of the reagent;

a server computer configured to;

receive an image of the paper-based sensor at a server computer after the test sample is applied to the paper-based sensor;

process the captured image to detect the reference color and color change on the paper-based sensor;

use the color changes in the plurality of test zones, to generate a calibration curve of an associated image capture device by which the image was received;

determine a signal of the reference color;

apply the signal to the calibration curve to compute a color concentration gradient of the reagent of the test sample;

acquire a clinical range reference chart from a database; and

apply the color concentration gradient to the clinical range reference chart to determine a total concentration level of the analyte in the test sample.

12. The paper-based sensor processing system according to claim 11, wherein the system stores the clinical range reference chart.

13. The paper-based sensor processing system according to claim 12, wherein the system stores the clinical range reference chart to compare to the one or more attributes associated with the test sample.

14. The paper-based sensor processing system according to claim 13, wherein the color gradient level is plotted on a calibration curve and is added to a patient'"'"'s historical data curve for future health condition prediction.

15. The paper-based sensor processing system according to claim 14, wherein the paper-based sensor includes three or more of tracking information, personal identification information, security information, color calibration information, and environmental indicators.

16. The paper-based sensor processing system according to claim 15, wherein further comprising:

wherein the server computer is further configured to;

perform predictive analytics for monitoring the user'"'"'s health conditions.