Paper sensing and analytic service workflow methods and systems
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.
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.