uChek

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$19.99

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Biosense sells the uChek directly to the customer. ^{Interview with representative}

Countries

India

Manufacturing/Building Method

The app has been created, and the trays are manufactued by Biosense. The test strips are sourced from outside locations.

Intellectural Property Type

Select Type

User Provision Model

User can procure uChek directly from Biosense. ^{Interview with manufacturer}

As of August 2017, the uChek app is only compatible with select Android phones, and is not available for download from the Play Store. It is only possible to get the uChek app pre-installed with phones purchased from Biosense.

Urinalysis reagent strips are available for sale through links within the uChek app and the Web application to manage your account. uChek is compatible with Siemens and Biosense dipsticks and may be able to be purchased at a local pharmacy.

Distributions to Date Status

Unknown.

Design Specifications

Features include:

Multi testing platform: uChek is a semi-automated multi-test analysis system. It can perform the following tests all in one single machine

A) 10 parameters routine urine analysis Glucose, Bilirubin, Ketone, Specific Gravity, Blood, pH, Protein, Urobilinogen, Nitrite and Leukocytes

B) 2 parameter urine analysis for determining Albumin to Creatinine Ratio (ACR)

C) Blood Glucose

Cloud connectivity: It uses the communication functionality to communicate and integrate data with the user's preferred database. Results get synchronized whenever the software identifies an available mobile or wifi network. Users can also send the result to preferred email IDs.

Active Surveillance: uChek analytics allows user to keep a track of test results through an online portal. Results can also be mapped and flagged for key indicators. Usage tracking, trend monitoring, and supply ordering can also be performed with this portal.

Portability: Biosense claims that UChek is a portable and lightweight testing system. The system includes a carrying kit for use at point of care.

Battery Backup: The device comes equipped with battery backup sufficient to run close to 40 tests without external power supply.

uChek is based on the principle of reflectance photometry. The system consists of a reading device and a test strip. The test strips are designed in a way that the color of its test pads intensify or deviate in close correlation with the change in concentration of the analyte. uChek uses the smartphone camera as the sensor to detect this change in color on the test strips and determine the concentration of analytes with a high accuracy at par and many a times exceeding those of some existing laboratory bench-top systems.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Unknown.

Replacement Components

Urinalysis reagent strips are available for sale through links within the uChek app and the Web application to manage your account. uChek is compatible with Siemens and Biosense dipsticks and may be able to be purchased at a local pharmacy.

Lifecycle

The test strips are single use and an iPhone generally lasts three years.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

To continue to provide affordable healthcare to all, without compromising on quality. In trying to achieve that we have always looked at the problems with a different lens

Vetted Performance Status

The results suggest equal and more than 95% accuracy with respect to both Dirui's strips used with the semi-automated urine strip reader and visual correlation. The uChek urine analyzer was found to be accurate with 100% readings within +/- 1 color block of the urine test strip used. It may be concluded that the accuracy of the uChek urine analyzer is comparable to the Uri-Plus 200 and other such commercially available semi-automated urinalysis machines. It has been concluded that the iPhone application uChek does not accurately detect dehydration mainly due to limitations of the urine strips. (International Journal of Exercise Science)

Safety

Unknown.

Complementary Technical Systems

Test strips, smartphone

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown.

Evaluation methods

1) uChek was tested for accuracy against a commercially available semi-automated urine strip reader. The uChek system operated with Siemens 10SG strips was tested against negative and positive controls. Output was cross checked visually (n=20, each). To reduce experimental errors, the controls were also tested with Dirui 10P urine test strips marketed by Aspen Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd.

The results suggest equal and more than 95% accuracy with respect to both Dirui’s strips used with the semi-automated urine strip reader and visual correlation.

2) Evaluation of precision and reproducibility using two levels of control materials (Dirui Positive and Negative urine control) and comparison studies with urine samples, using uChek system on iPhone 4, 4S and 5 respectively Vs Semi automated urine analyzer machine Uri-Plus 200.

Other Information

Unknown.