Medical test strip analysis
A system having a processor and memory coupled to the processor is provided. The memory stores a local testing database having a test configuration profile with the test configuration profile having an intensity threshold value denoting a positive test result. The system includes a carrier for receiving a cassette containing a lateral flow assay (“LFA”) strip and an LFA strip reader coupled to the processor for reading the LFA strip regardless of alignment of the cassette within the carrier and for transmitting an LFA strip image to the processor. The processor determines an LFA test result based on comparing an intensity value of a portion of the LFA strip image to the intensity threshold value and provides the LFA test result on an indication panel.
1 . A system comprising:
a processor;
memory coupled to the processor having stored therein a local testing database, the local testing database including a plurality of test configuration profiles, wherein each of the plurality of test configuration profiles specifies an intensity threshold value denoting a positive test result for an associated test type;
a carrier for receiving a cassette containing a lateral flow assay (“LFA”) strip;
an LFA strip reader coupled to the processor for obtaining an LFA strip image, the LFA strip reader obtaining the image of the LFA strip and at least a partial image of the cassette, regardless of alignment of the cassette within the carrier, and transmitting the LFA strip image to the processor;
the processor further configured to determine an LFA test result based on comparing an intensity value of a portion of the LFA strip image to the intensity threshold value for an associated test configuration profile for the test type of the LFA strip; and
the processor further configured to provide the LFA test result on an indication panel.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the system further comprises:
a communications interface for communicating with a central patient database; and
the processor further configured to associate the LFA test result and the LFA strip image with a patient identifier and upload the LFA test result and LFA strip image to the central patient database.
3 . The system of claim 1 wherein the indication panel comprises a plurality of indicators for indicating respectively a positive, a negative, or an invalid LFA test result.
4 . The system of claim 1 wherein the LFA strip reader comprises a plurality of LED lights activated based on the test configuration profile and a camera for generating the LFA strip image.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of LED lights includes LED lights outputting one or more of: visible and ultraviolet light.
6 . The system of claim 1 wherein the system further comprises a light emitting device for sterilizing at least a portion of an area within the carrier that receives the LFA strip.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the carrier is replaceable within the system in order to accommodate a variety of LFA strip cartridges.
8 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the communications interface includes at least one of a mobile data interface, an Ethernet interface, and a WiFi interface.
9 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a provider card reader coupled to the processor for reading a provider identification card and sending provider information to the processor.
10 . A system comprising:
a processor;
memory coupled to the processor for storing having stored therein a local testing database having a plurality of test configuration profiles with each test configuration profile including an intensity threshold value denoting a positive test result for an associated test type;
a carrier for receiving a cassette containing a lateral flow assay (“LFA”) strip; and
an LFA strip reader coupled to the processor for reading the LFA strip, to yield an LFA strip image, and a visual feature of the cassette and transmitting the LFA strip image and the visual feature to the processor;
the processor further configured to identify a first test configuration profile based on the visual feature and determine an LFA test result based on comparing an intensity value of a portion of the LFA strip image to the intensity threshold value of the first test configuration profile for the test type of the LFA strip.
11 . The system of claim 10 wherein the system further comprises:
a communications interface for communicating with a central test database; and
the processor is further configured to determine that the visual feature is not associated with any of the plurality of test configuration profiles in the local testing database; and
the processor is further configured to download from the central test database a test configuration profile for storage in the local testing database.
12 . The system of claim 10 wherein the system further comprises:
a communications interface for communicating with a central patient database;
the processor further to associate the LFA test result and the LFA strip image with a patient identifier and upload the LFA test result and LFA strip image to the central patient database.
13 . The system of claim 10 further comprising:
an indicator panel to provide the LFA test result, wherein the indicator panel comprises a plurality of indicators for indicating a positive, a negative, or an invalid LFA test result.
14 . The system of claim 10 wherein the LFA strip reader comprises a plurality of LED lights and a camera for reading the LFA strip and the visual feature.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of LED lights includes one or more LED lights generating one or more of: visible and ultraviolet light.
16 . The system of claim 10 wherein the system further comprises a light emitting device for sterilizing at least a portion of an area within the carrier that receives the LFA strip.
17 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the carrier is replaceable within the system in order to accommodate a wide array of LFA strip cartridges.
18 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the communications interface includes at least one of a mobile data interface, an Ethernet interface, and a WiFi interface.
19 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising a provider card reader coupled to the processor for reading a provider identification card and providing provider information to the processor.
20 . A testing device for testing for disease, the testing device comprising:
a processor;
memory coupled to the processor having stored therein a local testing database, the local testing database including a plurality of test configuration profiles for a plurality of diseases, wherein a each of the test configuration profile specifies an intensity threshold value denoting a positive test result for one of the plurality of diseases;
a carrier for receiving a cassette containing a lateral flow assay (“LFA”) strip for a first disease;
an LFA strip reader coupled to the processor for reading the LFA strip, regardless of alignment of the cassette within the carrier, yielding an LFA strip image, and transmitting the LFA strip image to the processor;
the processor further configured to determine an LFA test result based on comparing an intensity value of a portion of the LFA strip image to the intensity threshold value from the test configuration profile for the first disease; and
the processor further configured to provide the LFA test result on an indication panel on the testing device.
21 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising the processor further adjusting the LFA strip image to adjust for any misalignment of the cassette within the carrier.