BARCODE INCLUDING MEDICAL TEST DATA

Cross-Reference to Related Applications:

[0001] This patent application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/329,937, filed on April 12, 2022.

Technical Field:

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a medical test material and method for generating a machine-readable barcode including medical test data.

Background:

[0003] Machine-readable barcodes are visual representations of data (e.g., encrypted data) that may be read, decoded or decrypted, by a barcode reader. In standard barcodes, information is encoded in the width of and distance between vertical lines. In QR codes, or barcodes, a two-dimensional type of barcode, information is encoded in the arrangement of squares. Either way, data transforms into a machine-readable arrangement of visual elements. And, upon scanning by an optical scanning device, the data translates back to its original form. Summary:

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a medical test material and method causing the visual appearance of a machine-readable barcode to be changed after initial creation or generation.

[0005] Certain aspects of the invention are directed generally toward machine- readable barcodes. Machine-readable barcodes typically come in one-dimensional or two- dimensional formats, and, more-recently, three-dimensional formats, and can be further classified as statice or dynamic. Dynamic barcodes allow for remote alteration of a destination URL whereas static barcodes do not. Machine-readable barcodes have a myriad of applications and are becoming increasingly common for commercial and personal use. However, currently, regardless of the barcode type, once a barcode is physically produced, it does not change.

[0006] Certain aspects of the invention are directed generally toward medical tests. Medical tests, according to the present disclosure, include screenings and diagnostic tests, with screenings being intended for asymptomatic people, whereas diagnostic tests are intended for those showing symptoms in need of a diagnosis. These can include or correspond to, but are not limited to, any one or more of home tests, at-home tests, overthe-counter tests, point-of-care tests and self-tests. These types of medical tests typically generate results in a few minutes, or an otherwise relatively short period of time.

[0007] However, the teachings of the present disclosure have broad applicability and should not be limited to the embodiments provided herein. Brief Description of the Drawings:

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a prior art test card for a medical test;

[0009] FIG. 2 shows a test card for a medical test displaying a machine-readable barcode in a first configuration, according to the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary readout of information corresponding to the first configuration of the machine-readable barcode, as shown in FIG. 2, according to the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 4 shows the test card of FIG. 2, in a second configuration, according to the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary readout of information corresponding to the second configuration of the machine-readable barcode, as shown in FIG. 4, according to the present disclosure

[0013] FIG. 6 shows the test card of FIGS. 2 and 4, with the machine-readable barcode in a third configuration, according to the present disclosure; and

[0014] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary readout of information corresponding to the third configuration of the machine-readable barcode, as shown in FIG. 6, according to the present disclosure.

Detailed Description:

[0015] Before the present methods, implementations, and systems are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to specific implementations, and as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0016] As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed in ways including from "about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another implementation may include from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, for example by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another implementation. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0017] "Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. Similarly, “typical” or “typically” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance often occur or often not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a prior art test card 10 for a medical test. The medical test may be one of those described above. One such medical test may, for example, generate a positive or negative test result based on detection of a predetermined chemical reaction when a sample contacts a specific portion of a medical test strip of the test card 10. According to the prior art test card 10, the test results are conveyed to the user by the presence or absence of a line at a predetermined position 12 of the test card 10. One line, at 12, may indicate a negative test result, while two lines, 12, may indicate a positive test result. According to some embodiments, one test line, such as a first test line, may be a control line, indicating that the test is functioning properly, while another test line, such as a second test line, may be a test result line.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a medical test material 20, which may be supported on a test card 22, or other support, for a medical test having a machine-readable barcode 24 in a first configuration, according to the present disclosure. According to the exemplary embodiment, the machine-readable barcode 24 is a QR code, or two-dimensional barcode, having a first visual representation. By scanning it, you access the information encoded in it. More specifically, a QR code is a machine-readable optical label that can contain information about the item to which it is attached, data for a locator, identifier, or tracker that points to a website or application. Generally speaking, QR codes, or QR barcodes, can be in the form of numeric and alphanumeric characters, and bytes converted into a unique two-dimensional arrangement of squares. When an optical scanner passes over those squares, it translates their arrangement back into that data’s original form. This happens in seconds.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary readout of information corresponding to the first configuration, or first visual representation, of the machine-readable barcode 24, as shown in FIG. 2, according to the present disclosure. For example, the first visual representation may be decoded into the data’s original form at a first block 26:

Test number: 4567a89b

Time stamp: 04/01/2022 at 0815

Geographic coordinates: 40°22'12"N 80°13'58"W Control: not detected

Test: n/a

[0021] As shown, the medical data may include a test number, time stamp, geographic coordinates, results at a control location, and results at a test location. According to a method of the present disclosure, as stated above, the first visual representation of the machine-readable barcode 24 may be provided prior to activation of a medical test, wherein decoding the first visual representation results in the first block, or set, 26 of medical test data, as shown above and in FIG. 3.

[0022] The present method also includes a step of activating the medical test material 20 corresponding to the machine-readable barcode 24, wherein activating includes contacting the medical test material 20 with a medical specimen or sample. As a result of the activating step, the first visual representation of the machine-readable barcode 24 is changed into a second visual representation of the machine-readable barcode 24.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows the test card 22 of FIG. 2, with the machine-readable barcode 24 in a second configuration, having a second visual representation, according to the present disclosure. Changing the first visual representation to the second visual representation may include adding a first feature, 30. Decoding the second visual representation results in a second block 32, or set, of medical data different than the first block 26, or set, of medical data. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary readout of information corresponding to the second configuration of the machine-readable barcode, as shown in FIG. 4, according to the present disclosure, at the second block 26, or set:

Test number: 4567a89b

Time stamp: 04/01/2022 at 0825 Geographic coordinates: 40°22'12"N 80°13'58"W

Control: Detected - valid test

Test: Negative

[0024] FIG. 6 shows the test card 22 of FIGS. 2 and 4, with the machine-readable barcode 24 in a third configuration, according to the present disclosure. Changing the second visual representation of the machine-readable barcode 24 into the third visual representation of the machine-readable barcode 24 may include adding a second feature 36 to the machine-readable barcode 24. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary readout of information corresponding to the third configuration of the machine-readable barcode, as shown in FIG. 6, according to the present disclosure, at a third block 38, or set:

Test number: 4567a89b

Time stamp: 04/01/2022 at 0835

Geographic coordinates: 40°22'12"N 8O°13'58"W

Control: Detected - valid test

Test: Positive

[0025] The amount of data machine-readable barcodes can hold, how quickly they are read, and that virtually all smart devices can instantly and easily scan them and only some of the benefits of using barcodes to change, evolve or augment after initial visual representation in response to a medical test to convey medical test data, such as test results.

[0026] In further advancements, the medical test material may test for more than one pathogen, and the machine-readable barcode may be generated or changed to reflect medical data, which may include test result data. Such tests may be administered for humans or animals.