Novel optical absorbance-based multi-analytes detection module using a tri-chromatic LED, PDs and plastic optical fibers and its application to a palm-sized urine test strip reader

We have designed, fabricated and characterized a new palm-sized urine test strip reader (9.5 × 6.5 × 1.8 cm³) using a novel optical absorbance-based multi-analytes detecting module, consisting of a three-chromatic light-emitting diode (LED) component, photodiodes, and optical waveguide for digital readouts. The instrument is a handheld, simple but powerful in obtaining reliably a numerical analog output compatible with urine-based test strips. The proposed optical module demonstrated the excellent reading out of signal levels of proteins, glucose, blood cells, respectively, in the test urine strip kits, with low fabrication cost, rapidness, precision and reproducibility.