Histamine Quick Test
Histamine intolerance - a very common diagnosis
Histamine is found in numerous foods such as fish, cheese or wine. The histamine content fluctuates depending on the freshness or degree of ripeness of the food. Histamine is regarded as a mediator substance for allergic reactions and also plays an important role in immune defence. The substance is broken down by enzymes in the intestines but this process can be disrupted so that too much histamine accumulates in the body. The consequences are digestive problems, itching, headaches, cardiac arrhythmia and other, sometimes chronic reactions. Around three percent of people worldwide are said to suffer from histamine intolerance, i.e. around a quarter of a billion people. In Germany alone, about two million people have to do without numerous foods.
This is how the histamine quick test works - step by step
The aim of the development was to create a handy device with which the histamine value of various foods can be determined quickly and easily. Through some process steps that are very easy to carry out, even inexperienced users are able to obtain a quick result. Especially the ergonomics and handling of the device were important to the product development. Under no circumstances should there be any misuse while being uncomplicated to operate so that the quick test is easy to handle for all users.
Step 3:
The sample teaker sucks in fluids and punches solid foods.
Step 6:
Solid samples can be crushed by turning the shaft counterclockwise.
Design Thinking defines the Use Case
At the very beginning, before the definitive development work started defortec invited all project partners to a Design Thinking Workshop which first defined the target group, their expectations and the use case. Thus, the test is aimed primarily at private individuals who expect the easiest possible handling and low costs. defortec wanted to defuse the waste problem of the disposable product by using biodegradable plastics. However, during the research it was discovered that the idea was only available in a limited range of materials. In short, this aspect has not been conclusively resolved by the end of the project, and the dimensions of the prototypes currently undergoing testing can also be further optimized.
Industrial Design for Research and Development
Defortec is partner in a development project that puts histamine quick tests on a new analytical and user-friendly basis. The core of the project is a small device that enables people with histamine intolerance to test food for its current histamine content independently and safely.
The tool which is intended to be a single-use product is based on a new test procedure developed by the NMI (Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen). The procedure is capable of analyzing liquid as well as solid food in just a few minutes and outputs a semi-quantitative result by color code. This means that histamine tests could theoretically also be used outside the laboratory in everyday life.
Step 1:
The test device is prepared by the user grabbing only the nubbed areas.
Step 4:
The sample taker is slid back into the testing device.
Step 7:
Activating and mixing of the buffering solution with the sample.
Miniaturized product concept
Defortec's product concept is based on a slim cylinder. Extensive shape and ergonomic studies led to this configuration: at the tip the sample is taken, sucked or punched, then rotated to grind and mixed with the digestion solution. A few minutes later a line image appears on the integrated Lateral Flow Test (LFA) strip, providing information on the histamine concentration. The design concept thus visualizes the linear test sequence starting at the tip and ending with the result display at the other end. Gripping surfaces accentuated with nubs contribute to the intuitive handling.
The prototype designed by defortec is very detailed and already optimized for mass production using injection molding. The start of production however has not yet been determined; this would be the task in the next project phase. At the moment the NMI is working on testing - but with simpler devices made of stainless steel that can be reused several times in the laboratory as part of extensive process test series.
From process design to product design
Defortec first analyzed the test process and divided it into logical individual steps starting with sampling and ending with the visualization of the result. This was the only way to reduce complexity and transfer the process into a miniaturized product. The actual development took place in extensive series of tests in which the CAD designs were converted into real, verifiable models using 3D printing. In particular the sampling and the mixing process with the digestion solution had to be repeatedly tested and refined on the real model. At the end of the day the process design and the functional sequences and usability were initially the main focus of defortec's activities. The actual product design was then derived from these findings.
Step 2:
Taking out the sample taker component by pulling it out of the device.
Step 5:
Ripping off the safety ribbon initiates the analyzation process.
Step 8:
After 3 minutes the histamine concentraion can be read off the color code in the Read-Out-Field.
Research project with a concrete goal
The research project, completed in 2019, was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology under its Central Investment Program for Medium-Sized Enterprises (ZIM). Partners were the NMI, Contexo GmbH and defortec. While Contexo was to take care of the series production aspects, defortec focused on industrial design, reviewing ergonomics, materials, production aspects and of course the product design.
The defortec services at a glance
• design-thinking workshop
• process and functional analysis
• process optimization
• design concept with functionality testing
• cooperation with an interdisciplinary project team
• material research
• testing ergonomics and functionality
• prototyping
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simplify the understanding of design Glossary
Dekonstruktivismus
Seit Beginn der 80er-Jahre gibt es den Dekonstruktivismus – es ist eine internationale Strömung in der Architektur. Die dekonstruktivistische Architektur stellt sich durch einen beachtenswert freien, verspielt leichten Umgang mit architektonischen Elementen und den Gliederungsstrukturen dar. Reihungen, Regelmäßigkeiten und Symmetrie sind dem Designstil Dekonstruktivismus fremd. Oft sieht das Design des Dekonstruktivismus aus, als würde es einstürzen, als wäre es sehr labil und nicht sicher.