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Design of Appropriate Technology-Assisted Urine Tester Enabling Remote and Long-Term Monitoring of Health Conditions

Author

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  • Hyun-Kyung Lee

    (Division of Culture & Design Management, Underwood International College, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

  • Jeong-Hyeon Bae

    (School of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea)

Abstract

A novel design idea supported by affordable design processes can address unresolved social problems such as the imbalance of opportunity in healthcare services, owing to high costs and a lack of access. We designed an appropriate technology-assisted urine tester to provide healthcare services for the elderly and underprivileged in order to monitor their health conditions daily and remotely help them determine whether to visit hospitals/clinics for in-depth diagnoses. To minimize production costs, we used a charge-coupled device camera for colorimetric-type urine analysis in conjunction with commercially available urine test strips; all other electronic components were mass-produced. We calibrated this urine tester and compared it with a commercially available high-end tester; the results showed high accuracy for most urine compounds. We verified its major device functions by recruiting four participants who tested their urine over four weeks and provided self-surveys of their health conditions. The proposed tester demonstrates a low price-to-performance ratio with high reliability, while its production and maintenance costs are as low as 20 USD per set. We focused on a human-centered technological approach from a simple and innovative design point of view in order to serve people and healthcare providers in an affordable way. We believe that the tester can be widely distributed, exemplifying appropriate technological application for those who require, but cannot enjoy, proper medical services, thereby improving social healthcare sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Hyun-Kyung Lee & Jeong-Hyeon Bae, 2020. "Design of Appropriate Technology-Assisted Urine Tester Enabling Remote and Long-Term Monitoring of Health Conditions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:12:p:5165-:d:375921
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sherry Glied & Adriana Lleras-Muney, 2003. "Health Inequality, Education and Medical Innovation," Working Papers 255, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Health and Wellbeing..
    2. repec:pri:cheawb:adriana_healthinequality is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Sherry Glied & Adriana Lleras-Muney, 2003. "Health Inequality, Education and Medical Innovation," NBER Working Papers 9738, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Marmot, M. & Allen, J.J., 2014. "Social determinants of health equity," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(S4), pages 517-519.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yongchuan Li & Salwa Hanim Abdul-Rashid & Raja Ariffin Raja Ghazilla, 2022. "Design Methods for the Elderly in Web of Science, Scopus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure Databases: A Scientometric Analysis in CiteSpace," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Emilio Rossi & Erminia Attaianese, 2023. "Research Synergies between Sustainability and Human-Centered Design: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-19, August.

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