4 ms·

If you think about it, this actually makes sense: you have already been producing the paper strip tests for years, they are accurate, so if you want to have an

by rob74 5y ago

If you think about it, this actually makes sense: you have already been producing the paper strip tests for years, they are accurate, so if you want to have an electronic version, why not use the paper strips? Another testing method (whichever that may be) would need to go through an approval process first, so unnecessary extra costs. That said, it would be nice and more environmentally friendly to have a device where you can just insert your paper strip - but that would totally "give the game away" for everyone to see...

tsol 5y ago
Given the beurocratic red tape to creating new medical tests, it's actually a pretty clever solution to just use a few LEDs and a sensor to output a result. I get what people are saying about things but being environmentally friendly, but let's start with our disposable culture towards phones and unnecessary electronics first. Pregnancy tests have a very legitimate and important use
superjan 5y ago
The approval is likely a big issue. The manufacturer can buy the approved strips, and claim that they are validated and accurate. How much paperwork you need to submit for the digital part is an interesting question. I would expect you do need to validate it, but sometimes there are loopholes that allow you to claim it is not a medical device. Building a phone app to interpret the stripes would be so much less wasteful, but where is the money in that…
maweki 5y ago
having the strip insertable may make the brightness-assumptions inside the device a bit more muddy. The idea is, that the environment is well-controled. People inserting strips will, over time, put dust on sensors and LEDs. There goes your finely calibrated device and you're in no better situation than the woman outside a well-lit bathroom.
op00to 5y ago
No. How do you know it’s the right test strip? How do you know everything that fits will work correctly?

by rob74 5y ago

tsol 5y ago

Given the beurocratic red tape to creating new medical tests, it's actually a pretty clever solution to just use a few LEDs and a sensor to output a result. I get what people are saying about things but being environmentally friendly, but let's start with our disposable culture towards phones and unnecessary electronics first. Pregnancy tests have a very legitimate and important use

superjan 5y ago

The approval is likely a big issue. The manufacturer can buy the approved strips, and claim that they are validated and accurate. How much paperwork you need to submit for the digital part is an interesting question. I would expect you do need to validate it, but sometimes there are loopholes that allow you to claim it is not a medical device. Building a phone app to interpret the stripes would be so much less wasteful, but where is the money in that…

maweki 5y ago

having the strip insertable may make the brightness-assumptions inside the device a bit more muddy. The idea is, that the environment is well-controled. People inserting strips will, over time, put dust on sensors and LEDs. There goes your finely calibrated device and you're in no better situation than the woman outside a well-lit bathroom.

op00to 5y ago

No. How do you know it’s the right test strip? How do you know everything that fits will work correctly?