Urinalysis Using a Diaper-Based Testing Device

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Clinical Diagnostics
• Microbiology

Background:

• Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common bacterial infections affecting 150 million globally each year.
• Delayed UTI diagnosis in infants and the elderly is a significant clinical challenge due to symptom communication difficulties.
• There is a critical need for rapid, accessible UTI screening methods for vulnerable populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an innovative diaper-based testing device for UTI screening.
• To assay key urine biomarkers: pH, leukocyte, and nitrite levels.
• To provide a user-friendly, visual diagnostic tool integrated into a diaper.

Main Methods:

• Development of an all-in-one diaper integrated with a colorimetric test strip.
• The device facilitates simultaneous urine collection and biomarker analysis.
• Testing involved 46 patient samples with strips and validation on 7 patients with the integrated diaper.

Main Results:

• The diaper-based device successfully assays urine pH, leukocyte, and nitrite levels.
• Colorimetric results are easily readable on the diaper's external surface.
• Initial validation demonstrated the device's potential for accurate UTI screening.

Conclusions:

• The developed diaper-based testing device offers a simple, rapid, and cost-effective solution for UTI screening.
• This technology holds significant potential for commercial development as a viable UTI screening system.
• It addresses the urgent need for improved UTI diagnostics in high-risk populations like infants and the elderly.