How Diagnostic Strips Work

Diagnostic strip technology is a fast growing industry bringing many advantages to both medical professionals and patient consumers. Point of care diagnostic strip designs are now being utilized and created for all varieties of necessary medical tests. Here's how plastic film works in this technology, and the benefits it provides:

• Strips usually function through either photometric or electrochemical technologies. Some also utilize an optical comparison chart. Depending on the sophistication and needs of the tests themselves, the actual strip design is then determined in combination with meter and reader equipment types to be used.
• Construction of strips varies infinitely based upon design, substrate use and test function. However, plastic substrates are utilized over 98% of the time. Polyester film is the substrate most frequently chosen in these applications.
• Plastic films allow diagnostic testing to be done more frequently, with quicker results, in the home or at a patient's bedside. Many emergency tests can now be performed in the emergency room at the patient's side, enabling immediate appropriate medical response. Plastic diagnostic strips are less expensive and more portable than traditional lab equipment needed for such tests. Plus, because the strips are disposable, sterilization costs are also dramatically reduced.
• Most blood work, urinalysis, infectious disease, drug testing, whole blood analyzers, pregnancy and AIDS testing can be done utilizing this new strip technology. Strip testing has even moved into the animal care world, allowing faster medical response and lower cost testing approaches.