Measuring physical and biochemical parameters with mobile devices

1. A test strip module for testing a sample with a mobile computing device distinct and separate from the test strip module, the test strip module comprising:

a case comprising a top defining a sample channel between an exterior surface of the top and an interior surface of the top;

a test strip in the case;

a bottom cover closing an open bottom of the case, wherein the bottom cover defines:

a light port; and

a camera port opposite of the test strip, the camera port being laterally displaced from the light port;

a position anchor extending down past a mating surface defined by the case or the bottom cover; and

a fluid transfer film on the top abutting a sample collector defined by the exterior surface of the top and the sample channel;

wherein

the fluid transfer film abuts an open half of the sample collector and includes a hydrophilic layer adjacent to a bottom of the sample collector; and

the sample channel is between the hydrophilic layer and the test strip.

2. The test strip module of claim 1 , wherein:

the case comprises a first bottom surface;

the bottom cover comprises a second bottom surface; and

the mating surface is the first bottom surface or the second bottom surface.

3. The test strip module of claim 2 , wherein the position anchor extends down from the second bottom surface.

4. The test strip module of claim 3 , wherein the position anchor comprises a shape matching a recessed feature on the face of the mobile computing device.

5. The test strip module of claim 4 , wherein the recessed feature comprises an ear speaker hole and the mobile computing device comprises a mobile phone.

6. The test strip module of claim 1 , wherein the position anchor comprises a rectangular or an obround protrusion.

7. The test strip module of claim 1 , wherein:

the case comprises:

an inner compartment comprising a first open bottom; and

an outer compartment comprising a second open bottom and surrounding the inner compartment;

the test strip is located in the inner compartment, wherein the outer compartment shields the test strip from an ambient light.

8. The test strip module of claim 1 , further comprising a skirt around a lower periphery of the case, the skirt shielding the test strip from an ambient light.

9. The test strip module of claim 8 , wherein the skirt comprises a slide engaged to the case, the skirt being movable from a retracted position inside the case to an extended position outside of the case.

10. The test strip module of claim 8 , wherein the skirt is hinged to the case, the skirt being rotatable from an upright position against the case to a horizontal position.

11. The test strip module of claim 8 , wherein the position anchor protrudes down from the skirt.

12. The test strip module of claim 1 , wherein the mating surface is pliant.

13. The test strip module of claim 1 , wherein the mating surface comprises a roughness of 100 microns.

14. The test strip module of claim 1 , wherein the sample channel is sloped relative to the mating surface.

15. The test strip module of claim 14 , wherein the sample channel is oriented so a lower end of the sample channel is located in or proximate to a first end of the test strip module with the test strip and a camera port, and an upper end of the sample channel is located in or proximate to a second end of the test strip module with a light port.

16. The test strip module of claim 1 , wherein:

the test strip comprises a reaction area and a reservoir downstream from the reaction area to receive a part of the sample flowing past the reaction area; and

the case comprises a top defining an observation window opened to the reservoir.

17. The test strip module of claim 1 , wherein the case comprises multiple compartments with respective test strips and the case is slidably engaged with the bottom cover.