Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a portable compact laboratory in a box.

BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION:

[0002] Over the recent years, diagnostic tests have become an essential feature of clinical practice. Many of the critical decisions in diagnosis and treatment of patients involve quantifiable laboratory data. The detection and characterization of the pathogens and their immunological consequences are the necessary starting points. However, healthcare industry currently faces a problem relating to shortage of pathology laboratories and testing facilities for diagnostic purposes. This problem is more evident in the rural and non-metro areas specifically; villages, hilly areas, desert areas of less economically developed nations where there is a significant dearth of high-quality diagnostic services. Many times, laboratories even if available in the rural and non-metro areas are not equipped well to support the correct and accurate investigations for diagnosis. As a result of this, people from rural or non-metro areas have to go to cities for better diagnostic services as well as better medical treatment.

[0003] In the other scenario, the medical clinic for consultation with the doctor and diagnostic centres are at different places. In such cases, the patient goes to a doctor and the doctor writes the test for patient and the patient has to go on different location for the same. In most cases, the patient gets the test report another day and subsequently he gets the medicine according to his problem in the reports. All this leads to the delay in the treatment as well as inconvenience for the patient who is already unwell and weak.

[0004] A robust diagnostic facility which is accessible to the patients at the time of their urgency is the need of an hour. Further, a place wherein complete consultation, diagnostic and medicine prescription can be provided to the patient at one place shall be beneficial. This will help in better patient management, prevent the spread of diseases and at the same time reduce the mortality rates.

[0005] Many attempts have been made at integrating diagnostic testing functionality with smartphones effectively. Reference may be made to US Patent application no. US 20130203043 which discloses portable rapid diagnostic test reader system having a smart phone with a camera and one or more processors contained within the smart phone; a modular housing having a receptacle configured to receive a sample tray; at least one illumination source and an optical demagnifier disposed in the modular housing. Modular housing mentioned in this patent application is configured to mount to the smart phone.

[0006] European patent application no. i.e., EP2893477 disclose mobile platform for the analysis of colorimetric test strips and disease management using readings produced by this analysis. More specifically, the camera of the mobile device can be used to automatically detect the colour of one or several reagent areas of the colorimetric strip. Further, these one or several colours are compared against a set of known or standard colours previously detected from a reference and/or calibration colour chart in an initial calibration and stored in the memory of the mobile device. Each of these standard colours can be associated to a specific test result reading for which the colorimetric strip is testing. These one or several detected values are then employed in a disease management platform on the mobile device.

[0007] Other attempts have been made to integrate diagnostic testing feature with computer or a user-interface device. U.S Patent Application No. US20030106940 discloses a portable medical diagnostic device and a miniature identification capture reader. The identification capture reader according to this application could be a barcode scanner, imager, infrared identification reader or similar technology and the subcomponents of the medical device diagnostic may be a battery, display, keyboard, cradle, wireless communications circuitry, memory, housing, central processing unit (CPU) and telephony components

[0008] Still further, European patent application no. viz. EP3456264 discloses portable system which has a portable ultrasonic diagnostic device and an ultrasonic diagnostic application which is installed in a portable terminal. The application receives ultrasonic image data from the portable ultrasonic diagnostic device, and displays an ultrasonic image through a display screen of the portable terminal. Further, there is an ultrasonic image server which stores guiding ultrasonic images for each diagnosis location and diagnosed part.

[0009] Another patent application IN 202011040621 disclose portable device and method for measuring the cardiac electrical activity of a patient, by transmitting the measured cardiac electrical activity to a user-interface device for user interpretation

[0010] The devices disclosed in these patent applications are inconclusive as they do not provide the particulars of the software to be used and also do not provide any details of the diagnostic test which can be performed. Further, devices disclosed in these patent applications also have a variety of other disadvantages vis-à-vis require more space, are more complex, and are also expensive. Also, because of the requirement of interface, software applications and computer, these devices may require the person skilled person to carry out the procedure and a person skilled in the use of specialized software to extract the data.

[0011] Lastly and most importantly, accessibility of internet is a major issue in the rural and non-metro areas of less economically developed nations which makes it almost impossible to use portable wireless medical devices through the internet.

[0012] In view of the above limitations, there exists a need to develop an improved approach and devices or apparatuses which would in turn address a variety of issues including, but not limited to, high costs, more complex, dependency on internet and requirement of trained technicians for carrying out the procedures to extract the data. Thus, the above-described deficiencies of conventional approaches and devices thereof, are merely intended to provide an overview of some of the problems of conventional approaches and are not intended to be exhaustive. Other problems with conventional approaches, and devices and their corresponding benefits of the various non-limiting embodiments described herein may become further apparent upon review of the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

[0013] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the present invention. It is not intended to identify the key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concept of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of the invention presented later.

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable compact laboratory in a box.

[0015] It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable compact laboratory in a box wherein healthcare services can be provided at the doorstep of the patient.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable compact laboratory in a box which is easy to use, is less expensive, more compact and has less complexity.

[0017] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable compact laboratory in a box which has less power consumption and less running cost.

[0018] Accordingly, in an aspect the present invention provides a portable compact laboratory (100) in a box comprising: at least one mini-centrifuge capable to isolate and separate biological samples; at least one mini-incubator for incubating the separated biological samples; and at least one mini analyser capable of analysing separated and incubated biological samples; wherein the portable compact laboratory in a box receives the biological samples to be centrifuged in the at least one mini-centrifuge and incubate the separated biological samples in the at least one mini-incubator, thereafter analysing the separated biological samples in the at least one mini-analyser to generate the data from the biological samples

[0019] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, details the invention in different embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0020] While the specification concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed that the advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description of expressly disclosed exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings and detailed description which follow are intended to be merely illustrative of the expressly disclosed exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. In the drawings:

[0021] Fig. 1 illustrates the portable compact laboratory in a box in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Fig. 2 illustrates the mini-centrifuge in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0023] Fig. 3 illustrates the mini-analyser in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: CALL OUT LIST

[0024] For purposes of the present invention, the following abbreviations apply:
ECG : Electrocardiography
BMI : Body mass index
IT : Information technology
DC : Direct Current
TG Reagent : Triglyceride reagents
KFT : Kidney Function Test
LFT : Liver Function Test
PP blood sugar : Post Prandial
HDL : High-density lipoprotein
LDL : Low-density lipoprotein
SGOT : Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase
SGPT : Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase
ALP : Alkaline phosphatase
EGFR : Estimated glomerular filtration rate
AG ratio : Albumin-Globulin ratio (A/G)
PCT : Procalcitonin
HCT : Haematocrit
MCH : Mean corpuscular haemoglobin
PCV : Packed Cell Volume.
P-LCR : Platelet-large cell ratio
MCV : Mean corpuscular volume
WBC : White blood cells
MCHC : Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration
RBC : Red blood cells
PLCC : Primary Liver Cell Carcinoma
HCV : Hepatitis C virus
CRP : C-Reactive Protein
HBSAG : Hepatitis B surface antigen
VDRL : Venereal disease research laboratory

[0025] The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in the structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present invention is not limited to a particular auto dripping microbial fuel cell as shown and described herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0026] The use of terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

[0027] Further, the terms, “an” and “a” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0028] As used herein, the term “and/or” means that either all or only one of the elements of said group may be present. For example, “A and/or B” shall mean “only A, or only B, or both A and B”. In the case of “only A”, the term also covers the possibility that B is absent, i.e. “only A, but not B”.

[0029] Referring to the figures, the invention will now be described in more detail. A portable compact laboratory (1000) in a box, as shown in fig.1, comprises at least one mini-centrifuge (200), at least one mini-incubator (400), and at least one mini analyser(600).

[0030] The portable compact laboratory is compact to be placed in a box and ported to the users place of requirement.

[0031] In an embodiment the laboratory in a box is of the size of a suitcase. More preferably, it is 30 inches tall with dimensions 30 X 20 X 12inches. Most preferably, it is 21 inches tall with dimensions 21 X 13 X 7inches.

[0032] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, portable compact laboratory in a box comprises at least one mini-centrifuge capable to isolate and separate biological samples.

[0033] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, portable compact laboratory in a box comprises at least one mini-incubator for incubating the separated biological samples.

[0034] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, portable compact laboratory in a box comprises at least one mini-analyser capable of analysing separated and incubated biological samples.

[0035] In an embodiment, at least one mini-analyser is a biochemical analyser capable of analysing biological samples. More specifically, it uses the pale yellow supernatant portion (serum) of centrifuged blood sample or a urine sample, and induces reactions using reagents to measure various components, such as sugar, cholesterol, protein, enzyme, etc. The test results from these can help to provide objective data enabling early detection and diagnosis of disease, as well as indicating the effects of treatment and patient prognosis. The device present in the biochemical analyser helps to maintain the temperature while performing analysis at different temperatures.

[0036] In an embodiment, at least one mini-analyser is an LED based analyser. It has a light source, preferably a circular ring shaped, LED array with the optical axis of each LED pointing towards the center of a sample, where the light source either covers the 700-1100 nm or the 900-1700 nm wavelength range. The wavelength range of 700-1100 nm corresponds to Si based array detectors (Si photodiode, Si-CCD. Si-CID, Si-CMOS) and covers the second and third vibrational overtone region of the near-infrared spectral range. The wavelength range of 900-1700 nm corresponds to InGaAs based array detectors and covers the first and second vibrational overtone region of the near-infrared spectral range. The light source may be continuously powered with batteries or a DC power supply and the light source may be either a LED array or a tungsten halogen lamp. In the case of the LED array light source, all the LEDs are on simultaneously and operating in a continuous emission mode. A tungsten halogen lamp light source is similarly operated in continuous mode. Following an optical path from light source to biological sample for analysis, the next component may be an optical efficiency enhancing element, such as an optical concentrator or optical coupling element, which is followed by the sample that is being analyzed. The sample can be either solid, powder, or liquid. In the preferred embodiment the sample is positioned within a sample holder.

[0037] In an embodiment, at least one mini-analyzer has a dimension L- 250 x W-100 x H- 90 mm between L- 275 x W-125 x H- 110 mm.

[0038] In an embodiment, at least one mini-centrifuge dimension of L- 140 x H-100 mm between L-160 x H-120 mm.

[0039] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, portable compact laboratory in a box receives the biological samples to be centrifuged in the at least one mini-centrifuge and incubate the separated biological samples in the at least one mini-incubator, thereafter analysing the separated biological samples in the at least one mini-analyser to generate the data from the biological samples.

[0040] In an embodiment, the laboratory in a box is a concentration measuring device capable to determine one or more correction factors for improving the performance of calculating the concentration by the laboratory in a box. The concentration measuring device comprises a concentration measuring section for measuring concentration value for a test sample and a data processing section for processing the measured concentration value. The data processing section comprises a memory storing correction factors and concentration ranges, wherein the correction factors ais applicable for a predetermined concentration range. A correction factor selection means is present for selecting a correction factor suitable for the test sample from amoung many correction factors stored in the memory and a correction means for correcting the measured concentration value with the correction factor selected by the correction factor means.

[0041] In an embodiment, the laboratory in a box may be retrofitted on a vehicle.

[0042] In an embodiment, the vehicle may be a 2-wheeler, 3-wheeler or 4-wheeler. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle is a 2-wheeler.

[0043] In an embodiment, the laboratory in a box can be used to perform multiple diagnostic tests, making it more cost effective.

[0044] In another embodiment, the laboratory in a box prevents the delay in the treatment, helps in better patient management, prevent the spread of diseases and at the same time reduce the mortality rate.

[0045] In another embodiment, unlike the most diagnostic systems currently available, the laboratory in a box of the present invention is independent of the requirement of maintenance of temperature and humidity. In addition to this, there is no requirement of no warm up and cooling time for operations.

[0046] The laboratory in a box has been designed to operate at extreme temperatures i.e. between 0° C to 50° C, because of which it can provide accurate results in hilly areas as well as desert areas.

[0047] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, portable compact laboratory in a box is equipped with medical equipments, IT parts, reagents, accessories and consumables which are required for diagnostic services.

[0048] The medical equipments comprises staining kit and staining apparatus, microscope and biochemical analysers. Further, medical equipment may also include incubators, centrifuge, micropipettes, washing systems, cuvettes stand, tip boxes, tips stand, solar panel, computer-based ECG, portable cold storage unit/fridge, temperature thermometer, blood pressure machine, portable BMI machine, Neubauer chamber, tourniquet, manual needle cutter and manual cell counter.

[0049] In an embodiment, the laboratory in a box is also equipped with data recorder and patient data management software.

[0050] In an embodiment, the laboratory in a box further comprises IT parts, reagents, and accessories required for diagnosis including blood pressure monitoring, temperature monitoring, BMI monitoring, biochemistry test, lipid profile, ECG, haematology test, KFT-LFT tests, serology test, urine tests and electrolyte tests. The IT part in the portable compact mobile laboratory comprises DC buck convertor charging cable and satellite control.

[0051] The reagents in the laboratory in a box comprises glucose reagent, bilirubin reagent, albumin reagent, TG reagent, total cholesterol reagent, AST (SGOT), total protein reagent, creatinine reagent, uric acid reagent, eosinophil diluting fluid, field’s stain (A and B), Widal and blood group reagent.

[0052] The accessories in the laboratory in a box comprises gloves, coverslip, sodium hypochlorite, syringe, cotton, label stickers, pregnancy kit, urine multi stick, glass slide, ESR tube (plastic), side boxes (left and right), tray box, leg guard, chair & stool and tray (left and right) which are required for diagnosis including blood pressure monitoring, temperature monitoring, BMI monitoring, biochemistry test, lipid profile, ECG, haematology test, KFT-LFT tests, serology test, urine tests and electrolyte tests.

[0053] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the diagnostic services that may be conducted are blood pressure monitoring, temperature monitoring, BMI monitoring, biochemistry tests, lipid profile test, ECG, haematology test, KFT-LFT tests, serology test, urine tests and electrolyte tests.

[0054] Biochemistry tests that may be performed include but are not limiting to fasting blood sugar, random blood sugar and PP blood sugar test for measuring the amount of glucose or sugar circulating in a person’s blood.

[0055] Serum lipid profile may include test for determining the level of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-LDL ratio, cholesterol20 HDL ratio in the blood serum. [0059] KFT and LFT may include the tests to determine the level of uric acid, BUN, Creatinine, urea , EGFR, AG ratio, Bilirubin, Indirect bilirubin, globulin, total protein, albumin, direct and indirect bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT and ALP level.

[0056] Further, haematology tests may include test to determine the platelets 25 count, PCT level, HCT level, MCH level, haemoglobin level, PCV level, P-LCR level, granulocyte level, MCV, WBC count, lymphocyte count, MCHC count, RBC count and PLCC levels. Haematological tests can help to diagnose anaemia, infection, haemophilia, bloodclotting disorders, and leukaemia.

[0057] Since there is no blood collection cost as there is no transportation or use of anticoagulants and vials, the running cost of mobile diagnostic system is very low, which also makes it cost effective.

[0058] Serological tests that may be included but are not limited to typhi dot test, widal test, HCV tests, CRP levels, HBSAG tests, pregnancy tests, VDRL tests , RA factor determination, semen fructose, malaria antigen test, semen analysis and dengue NSI antigen.

[0059] Urine analysis may include determination of leukocyte level, bilinogen, nitrite, PH test, specific gravity test, ketone test, bilirubin level and glucose level in the urine.

[0060] Further, tests for appearance, color, quantity and presence of bacteria in the urine may be also determined.

[0061] In yet another embodiment, a laboratory in a box has a data recorder with patient data management software. The data generated from the medical equipment is collected and integrated. Collected and integrated data helps to facilitate teleconsultation with the doctors which in turn results in improved patient engagement with remote monitoring. So, patient’s complete consultation, diagnostic and medicine prescription can be done at one place. Additionally, this also helps to bridge the physical distance and time between patients in remote areas and medical specialists around the world. Further, teleconsultation is more beneficial for the cases such as monitoring immobilized patients, post surgical follow-up, behavioural health, COVID-19 cases as well as urgent care.

[0062] As is apparent from the above description the present invention provides the laboratory in a box having portable compact mobile laboratory which has the following advantages:

• It is easy to use and less expensive.
• It is more compact and has less complexity.
• It provides for the easy handling and is economical.
• It can be used for performing multiple diagnostic tests.
• It has low power consumption.
• It has a data recorder integrated with patient data management software which helps to facilitates teleconsultation with the doctors.
• It has power back up and GPRS tracker for better route management and decrease response times for improved customer service.
• It has an ability to operate at extreme temperatures i.e., between 0° C to 50° C, because of which it can provide accurate results in hilly areas as well as desert areas.
• Lastly, since the mobile laboratory is retrofitted on a vehicle, it can be used and send for diagnosis even in rural and non-metro areas where there is a shortage of laboratories.

[0063] The foregoing descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions, substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

, Claims:We claim:

1. A portable compact laboratory (100) in a box comprising:
a. at least one mini-centrifuge capable to isolate and separate biological samples;
b. at least one mini-incubator for incubating the separated biological samples; and
c. at least one mini-analyser capable of analysing separated and incubated biological samples;
wherein the portable compact laboratory (100) in a box receives the biological samples to be centrifuged in the at least one mini-centrifuge and incubate the separated biological samples in the at least one mini-incubator, thereafter analysing the separated biological samples in the at least one mini-analyser to generate the data from the biological samples.

2. The laboratory (100) in a box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one mini-analyser is LED lamp-based analyser.

3. The laboratory (100) in a box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the box further comprises a power back up for portable use.

4. The laboratory (100) in a box as claimed in claim 1 wherein the box is retrofitted to a 2-wheeler vehicle.

5. The laboratory (100) in a box as claimed in claim 1 wherein the box is a concentration measuring device capable to determine one or more correction factors for improving the performance of the laboratory in a box.

6. The laboratory (100) in a box as claimed in claim 5, wherein the concentration measuring device measures the concentration value for a test sample, selects a correction factor for the test sample and correcting the measured concentration value with the correction factor thus selected.

7. The laboratory (100) in a box as claimed in claim 1 wherein the box is configured with data recorder (300) and patient data management software which collects data from the box, integrates the data, sends the data through satellite control and cloud computing, and facilitate teleconsultation with the doctors.

8. The laboratory (100) in a box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the box is equipped with IT parts, reagents and accessories required for diagnosis including blood pressure monitoring, temperature monitoring, BMI monitoring, biochemistry test, lipid profile, ECG, haematology test, KFT-LFT tests, serology test, urine tests and electrolyte tests.

9. The laboratory (100) in a box as claimed in claim 8, wherein the IT part in the portable compact mobile laboratory comprises DC buck convertor and charging cable.

10. The laboratory (100) in a box as claimed in claim 1, wherein box comprises glucose reagent, bilirubin reagent, albumin reagent, TG reagent, total cholesterol reagent, AST (SGOT), total protein reagent, creatinine reagent, uric acid reagent, eosinophil diluting fluid, field’s stain (A&B), widal and blood group reagent.

Dated this 08th August, 2023