TW201413234A - Urine analysis method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for urine analysis comprises the following steps: (a) collecting a urine sample; (b) illuminating a urine sample by a first light with a wide range of wavelengths which including visible light or visible light (c) detecting a second light from the urine sample to generate at least one optical parameter, wherein the second light is transmissitted or refracted via the urine sample or excited via the first light; (d) analyzing the optical parameter to obtain at least one biochemical information of the urine sample.

Description

Urine detection method and device

The present invention relates to a urine detecting method and apparatus, and more particularly to a detecting method and apparatus for optically detecting the biochemical characteristics of urine.

Urinary examination is an important health screening screening program. It is also a routine screening test for inpatients or outpatients. It can screen kidney, ureter, bladder or urethra. It is one of the common testing items in hospitals.

General urine routine examination, including visual inspection and biochemical tests, visual inspection of the color and appearance of urine directly by visual inspection. Biochemical tests often use test strips for screening and visually determine the test results.

The accuracy of visual inspection of urine or test strip test is subject to subjective influence by medical examiners. In particular, test strips are judged by color rendering results. If more accurate test results are required, a colorimeter must be used for interpretation. The test paper is dark in color. Furthermore, the patient must currently go to the hospital or the laboratory to provide a urine sample in order to test the urine sample. However, the foregoing method makes the urine detection process cause inconvenience and time waste of the subject due to queuing, transportation, etc., so that the urine test cannot be applied to home care or rapid sampling, and the method is safe and non-toxic.

In summary, the design of a high-accuracy, fast and convenient urine detection method and device, so that urine testing as a preliminary screening to meet the needs of home care, is currently the goal of hard work.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method and a device for detecting urine, which utilizes a photo sensor to detect biochemical characteristics of urine to improve detection accuracy and convenience. In turn, it is advantageous to popularize the application of home care.

A urine detecting method according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: collecting a urine; irradiating urine with a first light of a wide wavelength range, the first light comprising visible light or ultraviolet light; detecting one of the urine a second light to generate at least one optical parameter, wherein the second light is transmitted through the urine, the first light reflected by the urine or the light excited by the first light; and the optical parameter is analyzed to obtain at least one biochemical information of the urine .

A urine detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises: a urine receiving unit, a light source, a light sensing unit, and a signal analyzing unit. The urine receiving unit is for accommodating a urine. The light source is configured to generate a first light of a wide wavelength range, comprising visible light or ultraviolet light, the first light illuminating the urine to generate a second light from the urine, wherein the second light is transmitted urine and is reflected by the urine The first light or the light that is excited by the first light. The light sensing unit is configured to detect the second light to generate a sensing signal. The signal analysis unit is configured to analyze the sensing signal to obtain at least one biochemical information of the urine.

A urine detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention is a urine analyzing system formed by a signal analyzing device, wherein the signal analyzing device is connected to the urine detecting device for analyzing a sensing signal to obtain at least urine. A biochemical information. The urine detecting device comprises a urine receiving unit, a light source and a light sensing unit. The urine receiving unit is for accommodating a urine. The light source is configured to generate a first light of a wide wavelength range, comprising visible light or ultraviolet light, the first light illuminating the urine to generate a second light from the urine, wherein the second light is transmitted urine and is reflected by the urine The first light or the light that is excited by the first light. The light sensing unit is configured to detect the second light to generate a sensing signal.

The purpose, technical contents, features, and effects achieved by the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the appended claims.

Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a urine detecting method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The urine detecting method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps: First, a urine is collected (step S10). Next, the urine is irradiated with the first light of one of the wide wavelength ranges, for example, the first light may be visible light or ultraviolet light (step S20). Then, after the first light is irradiated with urine, it is transmitted through the urine, reflected by the urine, or excited by the first light, and a second light from the urine is generated. Then, the second light is detected to generate at least one optical parameter (step S30). Finally, the optical parameters are analyzed to obtain at least one biochemical information of the urine (step S40). In an embodiment, the optical parameter may be a spectrum of the second light, a light intensity, a transmittance, a reflectance, a reflection angle, a refractive angle, an absorbance value, or a combination thereof.

Following the above, further description is made in one embodiment. First, the urine is collected in a container, such as a permeable container, and the first source of light in a wide wavelength range is used to illuminate the urine in the container. After the first light source illuminates the urine, it is transmitted through the urine to generate a second light source. Taking urine color detection as an example, after the first light source is irradiated with urine, a second light source is generated through transmission or refraction, and the intensity of the second light source is compared with the intensity of the first light source to be converted into a transmittance, and the transmittance is Represents the turbidity of urine.

Taking the detection of hemoglobin or bile pigment in urine as an example, the detection method is to observe the color of urine. After the first light source is irradiated with urine, the second light source is transmitted through the transmission, and the second light source is subjected to the absorption effect of the urine body, which is different. The first source of the wavelength is absorbed by water and Oxyhemoglobin at a different ratio, and part of the wavelength of the second light is absorbed, and a maximum absorption wavelength can be measured in the second source to determine the redness of the urine body. The color is shaded.

In one embodiment, the urine can be mixed with a reagent, and after the urine is mixed with the reagent, the substance in the urine will chemically react with the reagent to cause a change in the color of the urine. Taking the pH detection as an example, a pH indicator such as Bromothymol Blue is added to the urine, and sodium, potassium ions and reagents in the urine act to change the color of the urine, and the first light source illuminates the urine. The second light generated after the liquid determines the pH value of the urine color according to the absorbance of the second light. Again For example, in the case of glucose detection, a glucose reagent is added to the urine. After the first light is irradiated to the urine, the second light is transmitted through the second light, and the color of the second light is used to determine the urine sugar content. Taking urine protein detection as an example, the protein contains an amino acid, and the aromatic group of the amino acid absorbs light at 280 nm. The first light is ultraviolet light, and the urine is transmitted as a second light, and the second light is at a wavelength of 280 nm. The absorbance is proportional to the protein concentration in the urine, so the absorbance of the second light at a wavelength of 280 nm can be used to calculate the protein concentration in the urine. It should be noted that different environments may cause the absorption wavelength of the detection target to change. Therefore, the setting of the detection process or device can be adjusted according to the actual situation.

In one embodiment, the second light can form an image, and the image is analyzed to obtain biochemical information of the urine. For example, a fluorescent dye is added to the urine, and the solid matter in the urine is excited by the energy of the first light by the fluorescent dye to generate a second light having a fluorescent reaction, and the image will be fluorescently labeled. A solid substance, which does not produce a fluorescent reaction due to moisture, which belongs to the background in the image. In the image formed by the second light, the ratio of the solid matter (with fluorescent reaction mark) to the moisture (background) area can be calculated by image processing. To know the specific gravity of the solid matter in the urine.

The urine detecting method of the present invention can measure the biochemical information of urine by using the optical parameters of the second light, including but not limited to: specific gravity, pH (pH), protein, glucose, ketone, hemoglobin, bile pigment. (bilirubin), urobilinogen, nitrite, leukocyte esterase or a combination thereof.

Referring to FIG. 2, a urine detecting device 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a urine receiving unit 20, a light source 30, a light sensing unit 40, and a signal analyzing unit 50. The urine receiving unit 20 is for accommodating a urine 22 . The light source 30 is configured to generate a first ray 31 of a wide wavelength range, which comprises visible or ultraviolet light. After the first ray 31 is irradiated with urine, it is reflected by the transmissive urine 22, by the urine 22 or by the first ray 31. A second ray 32 from one of the urine 22 will be produced. The light sensing unit 40 is configured to detect the second light 32 to generate a sensing signal. The signal analysis unit 50 is configured to analyze the sensing signal to obtain at least one biochemical information of the urine 22.

In one embodiment, the urine receiving unit 20 is a container of a light transmissive material, such as a test tube, for containing urine. Alternatively, the urine receiving unit 20 may be a test paper or a porous material to adsorb urine. The urine accommodating unit 20 can be divided into a plurality of accommodating units to perform a plurality of urine tests at the same time. Light source 30 produces visible or ultraviolet light over a wide range of wavelengths. Light source 30 can be a UV lamp, a cold cathode lamp, an LED source, or a halogen source. The light sensing unit 40 can be an image sensing device that measures optical parameters. For example, the image sensing device may include a Charge Coupled Device (CCD), a Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, and a contact image sensor (Contact Image Sensor, CIS). The light sensing unit 40 detects the second light 32 to generate a sensing signal, and then sends the sensing signal to the signal analyzing unit 50 (for example, a computer) for analysis to obtain biochemical information of the urine.

In one embodiment, the urine detecting device 10 further includes a wireless communication unit 60 for sending biochemical information of the sensing signal or urine to the signal analyzing unit 50 (for example, a remote server), which facilitates urine detection. Device 10 is integrated with other medical devices or systems. For example, the wireless communication unit 60 can be an RF communication module, a ZigBee transmission module, a Bluetooth communication module, or a wireless area network communication module.

Referring to FIG. 3, a urine detecting device 10 according to still another embodiment of the present invention is configured with a signal analyzing device 50a to form a urine analyzing system, wherein the signal analyzing device 50a is connected to the urine detecting device 10 for analysis. A sensing signal is obtained to obtain at least one biochemical information of the urine 22. The urine detecting device 10 includes a urine receiving unit 20, a light source 30, and a light sensing unit 40. The method of detecting urine by the urine detecting device 10 is as described above, and will not be described herein.

Referring to FIG. 4, in an embodiment, the urine detecting device 10 uses a miniaturized circuit design to miniaturize the light sensing unit 40, thereby installing the urine detecting device. The set 10 is detachably disposed in a diaper 70. The urine detecting device 10 can be repeatedly used and disassembled to facilitate resetting the urine detecting device 10 to the diaper when the diaper is changed. The sensing signal of the urine detected by the urine detecting device 10 is transmitted to the signal analyzing device 50a via the wireless communication unit.

In summary, the urine detecting method and apparatus of the present invention detect the biochemical characteristics of urine by an optical method. Compared with the visual interpretation result, the accuracy of the detection can be effectively improved, and the optical detection method of the present invention is safe and non-toxic. Preferably, the micro-circuit design allows the urine detecting device to be placed in the diaper, so that the diaper has the function of monitoring urine, thereby achieving the purpose of reducing the nursing steps and improving the quality of care.

The embodiments described above are only intended to illustrate the technical idea and the features of the present invention, and the purpose of the present invention is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the contents of the present invention and to implement the present invention. That is, the equivalent variations or modifications made by the spirit of the present invention should still be included in the scope of the present invention.

10‧‧‧Urine detection device

20‧‧‧Urine storage unit

22‧‧‧ urine

30‧‧‧Light source

31‧‧‧First light

32‧‧‧second light

40‧‧‧Light sensing unit

50‧‧‧Signal Analysis Unit

50a‧‧‧Signal analysis device

60‧‧‧Wireless communication unit

70‧‧‧ diapers

S10‧‧‧ steps

S20‧‧‧ steps

S30‧‧‧ steps

S40‧‧‧ steps

1 is a flow chart showing the steps of a urine detecting method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a urine detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a urine detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing a urine detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

S10‧‧‧ steps

S20‧‧‧ steps

S30‧‧‧ steps

S40‧‧‧ steps

Claims (17)

A urine detecting method comprising: collecting a urine; irradiating the urine with a first light of a wide wavelength range, the first light comprising visible light or ultraviolet light; detecting a second light from the urine to Generating at least one optical parameter, wherein the second light is light transmitted through the urine, reflected by the first light or the first light reflected by the urine; and analyzing the optical parameter to obtain at least one of the urine Biochemical information. The urine detecting method according to claim 1, wherein the optical parameter comprises a spectrum of the second light, a light intensity, a transmittance, a reflectance, a reflection angle, a refractive angle, an absorbance value, or a combination thereof. The urine detecting method according to claim 1, further comprising: mixing the urine with a reaction reagent. The urine detecting method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting the second light to form an image, and analyzing one of the image features to obtain the biochemical information of the urine. The urine detecting method according to claim 1, wherein the biochemical information comprises specific gravity, pH (pH), protein, glucose, ketone, hemoglobin, bilirubin, urobilinogen, nitrous acid. A nitrite, a leukocyte esterase, or a combination thereof. A urine detecting device comprises: a urine receiving unit for accommodating a urine; a light source for generating a first light of a wide wavelength range, comprising visible light or ultraviolet light, the first light illuminating The urine to generate a second light from the urine, wherein the second light is light that is transmitted through the urine, reflected by the first light or reflected by the first light; a light sensing unit for detecting the second light to generate a sensing signal; and a signal analyzing unit for analyzing the sensing signal to obtain at least one biochemical information of the urine. The urine detecting device of claim 6, wherein the light sensing unit generates the corresponding sensing signal according to an optical parameter, wherein the optical parameter includes a spectrum, a light intensity, a transmittance, and a second light. Reflectance, angle of reflection, angle of refraction, absorbance, or a combination of the above. The urine detecting device according to claim 6, wherein the urine receiving unit comprises a reaction reagent. The urine detecting device of claim 6, further comprising: a wireless communication unit for transmitting the sensing signal or the biochemical information. The urine detecting device according to claim 6, wherein the biochemical information comprises specific gravity, pH (pH), protein, glucose, ketone, hemoglobin, bilirubin, urobilinogen, nitrous acid. A nitrite, a leukocyte esterase, or a combination thereof. The urine detecting device according to claim 6, which is detachably provided to a diaper. A urine detecting device comprising a urine analyzing system and a signal analyzing device, wherein the signal analyzing device is connected to the urine detecting device for analyzing a sensing signal to obtain at least one biochemical information of the urine The urine detecting device comprises: a urine receiving unit for accommodating a urine; and a light source for generating a first light of a wide wavelength range, the visible light or the ultraviolet light, the first light illuminating The urine to generate a second light from the urine, wherein the second light is light transmitted through the urine, reflected by the first light or the first light reflected by the urine; and a light sensation The measuring unit is configured to detect the second light to generate the sensing signal. The urine detecting device of claim 12, wherein the light sensing unit generates the corresponding sensing signal according to an optical parameter, the optical parameter comprising a spectrum, a light intensity, a transmittance of the second light, Reflectance, angle of reflection, angle of refraction, absorbance, or a combination of the above. The urine detecting device according to claim 12, wherein the urine receiving unit comprises a reaction reagent. The urine detecting device of claim 12, further comprising: a wireless communication unit for transmitting the sensing signal to the signal analyzing device. The urine detecting device according to claim 12, wherein the biochemical information comprises specific gravity, pH (pH), protein, glucose, ketone, hemoglobin, bilirubin, urobilinogen, nitrous acid. A nitrite, a leukocyte esterase, or a combination thereof. A urine detecting device according to claim 12, which is detachably provided to a diaper.