The uChekTM urine analyzer is a semi-automated, bench top urine analysis system, enabled for use with smartphones.
What is it used for?
The uChek system may to be used for semi-quantitative detection of the following analytes in urine: leukocytes, ketone, nitrite, urobilinogen, bilirubin, protein, glucose, specific gravity, blood and pH. Test results may provide information regarding the status of carbohydrate metabolism, kidney and liver function, acidbase balance and bacteriuria. uChek is a medical device* for in vitro diagnostic use only and only for use by or on the recommendation of a qualified healthcare professional.
Compatibility
Urinalysis Reagent Strips: Compatible for use with the Siemens Multistix® SG10, Siemens Multistix® SG, Siemens Uristix®, Bayer Keto-Diastix® and Bayer Diastix® urinalysis Reagent Strips.
Smartphones: Available for use with iPhone® 4, 4S and 5
Learn more about how uChek works, watch the instruction video and more here.
Features and Benefits
Accurate and Usable
Comparable in accuracy to commercially available laboratory-use semi-automated urine analyzers
Thoughtful, human-centered design
Get test results in less than 5 minutes
Easy and complete access to test data on smartphone
Learn more about uChek's accuracy and usability here.
Secure data ownership
Data can be saved securely on your smartphone.
You own your data; not the cloud, not any third party.
No network access required for generating, storing or analyzing trends in urine test data.
All data may be emailed securely to any email address of your choice, using your phone's email client. At no time is the data resident on our servers. You completely own your own data.
Cost-effective
The uChek system costs a fraction of other semi-automated urinalysis machines (which are in the magnitude of 'hundreds of dollars'), while providing comparable accuracy.
Check pricing for your region here
One reader, many strips. Compatible with 5 major urine strips. .
Portable
Small form factor for convenient bench-top use
Easy assembly and dis-assembly for transport to remote field locations.
Less than 100 grams in weight
No external power source required, works with iPhone.
Limitations
a) uChek is limited by the performance and quality of the urine dipstick used. This includes all false positive and negative reactions due to interfering chemicals in a urine sample.
b) uChek cannot be used to measure non-haemolysed occult blood in urine.
c) Trace values of ketones and trace values of leukocytes are not included in the reportable range.
d) uChek does not compensate for urine colour. A heavily pigmented urine sample may lead to a false reading.
*The uChek urine analyzer is a U.S. FDA Class I medical device, product classification "Automated Urinalysis System", Product Code KQO, regulation 862.2900.
uChek TM and Copyright © 2013 Biosense Technologies Private Limited. All Rights Reserved. Patents Pending.
iPhone®, Siemens Multistix® 10 SG, Siemens Multistix® SG, Siemens Uristix®, Bayer Keto-Diastix® and Bayer Diastix® are not owned by Biosense Technologies Private Limited and are registered trademarks of their respective owners.
How it works
The uChekTM system consists of a smartphone app ("The uChek app") and a peripheral kit ("The uChek kit"),
The uChek app is currently available for iPhone 4, 4S and 5 and can be downloaded from the App Store.
The uChek kit contains the Cuboid, the ColorMat and 5 test strips. It can be obtained from our shop.
A urine dipstick is a strip of paper which has different test pads impregnated with different chemicals which change color when dipped in urine. The color change, that happens gradually over a specified time period after dipping the strip, helps you identify the concentration of different analytes in urine. Commercially, available urine dipsticks can give information of upto 12 analytes in urine. Urine dipsticks may be read visually, via timely comparison with a color chart provided by the strip manufacturer or via the use of a machine such as a semi-automated urine analyzer.
The uChek urine analyzer may be used in 2 modes.
A. Manual
In Manual mode, the uChek app merely assists the process of visual inspection, providing time-keeping and manual data logging functionality. The stored results may be analyzed as a trend over time, or sent via email.
B. Auto
In Auto mode, the uChek system ("uChek App" and "uChek Kit" together) perform the function of a semi-automated urine analyzer machine. The system may be used to automatically record the test strip result and log test data. The uChek app uses the phone's camera and processor for image capture, processing the images and generating results. The results may be stored, analyzed as a trend over time, or sent via email.
The usage of uChek in Auto mode is illustrated below, in 5 simple steps.
Instruction Videos
uChek co-creator Aman Midha performs a urine test using the uChek urine analyzer, used here in AUTO mode.
How to use uChek in AUTO mode
A walk-through of the uChek app and its features, by Myshkin Ingawale
uChek app walkthrough
Comparison with predicate devices
The uChek urine analyzer has the same working principle and is substantially equivalent to most commercially available semi-automated urine analyzers (e.g. such as some of those as might be listed here or here)
As an illustration, find below a tabulated list of similarities and differences of the uChek urine analyzer with a predicate
Cybow Reader, Models 300 and 720
Similarities
Item
uChek urine analyzer
Predicate
Intended Use
A semi-automated analyzer which is designed to read test strips for urinalysis for the measurement of bilirubin, blood, glucose,ketones, leukocytes, nitrite, pH, protein, specific gravity, and urobilinogen. These measurements are useful in the evaluation of renal, urinary and metabolic disorders.
Same
Special Indications
For prescription use only
Same
Analyzer technology
Reflectance photometry
Same
Sample matrix
Urine
Same
Test parameters
Glucose, urobilinogen, pH, ketone, blood, protein, bilirubin, nitrite, leukocyte, and specific gravity
Similar to Cybow 10.
Light source
LED
Same
Differences
Item
uChek urine analyzer
Predicate
Throughput/
Tests per hour
uChek : 12 tests per hour
Cybow Reader 300: 300 tests per hour
Measuring sensor
CMOS image sensor
Contact image sensor
Accuracy and Usability
The uChekTM urine analyzer has been tested extensively at two sites with approximately 800 samples with the iPhone 4, 4S and 5. uChek has been found to be accurate with 100% readings within +/- 1 color block of a urine dipstick. This makes the performance of uChek comparable with commercially available semi-automated urinalysers.
Find below a summary of studies documenting the performance of uChek.
If you represent a University, healthcare body or clinical organization and would like your organization's study on uChek to be included in this list, please let us know.
Independent study conducted by Nanobios Lab, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Bombay), April 2013 Note from authors: "uChek, a mobile urinalysis system developed by Biosense Technologies Pvt Ltd 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," Note from authors: "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 study report is currently being prepared for publication in an indexed international journal."
Technical specifications and Accuracy of the uChek urine analyzer: Report by Biosense Technologies Private Limited, April 2013 This document contains: 1) Technical specifications 2) Evaluation of precision and reproducibility using two levels of control materials (Dirui Positive and Negative urine control) .3) Comparison studies with urine samples, using uChek system on iPhone 4, 4S and 5 respectively Vs Semi automated urine analyzer machine Uri-Plus 200. 4) Limitations, reportable range, quality control and calibration information 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. The authors invite additional independent comparison studies with other urine analyzer machine makes available in the market.
Shop
A. The uChek app
The uChek app can be downloaded on the
App Store (India and U.S only) for $0.99
Here is the download link
Note:
Auto mode requires the uChek kit. Manual mode may be used without the uChek kit. For more details, check how it works.
B. The uChek kit
Available in India and the USA.
Limited period introductory offer: $20 till 20th May
.
India shop
USA shop
Not in India or the USA? Sign up to be kept posted for the uChek release in your country.
FAQs
1. Why is urine tested ?
Urine can say a lot about the health of humans and pets. Urine analysis using commercially available test strips (often referred to as "dipsticks") can provide semi-quantitative concentration of analytes like glucose, protein, ketones, urobilinogen, bilirubin, specific gravity, blood, pH, leukocytes and nitrites. This is an example of an in vitro diagnostic test, and often provides useful information about the status of carbohydrate metabolism, kidney and liver function, acidbase balance and bacteruria. A typical application for dipsticks is checking for urinary tract infections, for example. Automatic analysis of urine test strips using automated urine test strip analyzers is a well established practice in modern day urinalysis.
2. What does the uChek system consist of ?
The uChek system consists of a smartphone app ("The uChek app") and a peripheral kit ("The uChek kit"), Check here for more details on how it works.
3. What are urine dipsticks ?
A urine dipstick is a strip of paper which has different test pads impregnated with different chemicals which change colour when dipped in urine. The colour change helps identify the concentration of different analytes in urine. Commercially available urine dipsticks can give information of upto twelve analytes in urine.
4. Why do I need the uChek kit ?
The uChek kit contain the ColorMat and Cuboid. The Color Mat helps your smartphone camera to identify the colour change correctly in your urine dipstick by correcting for local illumination conditions. It will automate the tedious process of manually checking the urine dipsticks at specific time periods for the colour change. The Cuboid is an enclosure with a designated placement area for the smartphone, and an aperture through which your phone camera can peep at the ColorMat and strip inside. The Cuboid's setup prevents errors associated with movement of the phone, or stray shadows that may affect the image processing. It has been carefully designed to perform, in conjunction with the uChek app, the function of a semi-automated urinalysis system.
In addition to the Cuboid and the ColorMat, the uChek kit contains five samples of five different types of dipsticks that the uChek system currently supports – so that you can choose which dipstick suits your requirement, and get trained in its use.
5. How accurate is uChek ?
uChek is comparable in accuracy to many commercially available semi-automated urinalysis machines, when used correctly. Check here for more information on accuracy and usability studies conducted with uChek,
6. Is uChek a medical device ? Is it registered with the FDA?
Yes, uChek is a medical device. It is for In Vitro Diagnostic Use only and only to be used by or on the recommendation of a qualified healthcare professional. Biosense Technologies Pvt Ltd, the manufacturer of the uChek urine analyzer is a FDA registered facility and the uChek urine analyzer is a medical device registered under Product Code KQO, and as per regulation 862.2900 of the FDA.
7. Can I use the uChek app without the uChek kit ?
Yes. It is possible to operate the uChek app separately from the uChek kit, under "Manual" mode. In this mode, the app does not use the phone's camera for automatic reading of the urine test strip data. The patient / healthcare professional will have to match the colors on the strip visually. The app in manual mode provides guidance and a timer to help with the process of color matching, and recording readings.
All non-camera dependent functions remain exactly the same - It is possible to save, send and trend the recorded data and results.
8. Where can I buy the kit ? How do I buy dipsticks for use with uChek?
The uChek kit and dipsticks is available for sale through links on this website. Check here.
9. Is uChek compatible with all types of urine dipsticks ?
As of date, uChek is compatible with five types of dipsticks, which are most commonly used. Check the product description here.
If you are a manufacturer interesting in making their brand of dipsticks compatible with the uChek system, contact us.
10. Can I use the uChek app on any phone ?
No. Right now , the application is designed for use with the iPhone 4, 4S and 5.
If you own a different phone, and would like to use uChek, please let us know.
11. My urine dipstick samples have run out. Where can I buy more dipsticks ?
You can use the uChek app to order dipsticks online. Alternatively, you can contact your local pharmacy.
Contact us
uChek has been designed and developed by Biosense Technologies Pvt Ltd, the same set of folks who brought you the innovative ToucHb device.
Customer support
Facing problems with the uChek purchase, installation or usage processes?
We're here to help.
Commonly faced issues are listed here, with solutions.If you don't spot your issue listed, or if the solution listed does not work for your case, please feel free to contact us as per the below complaint resolution process.
Complaint resolution process:
- Write to us with your problem through the customer support. Link below.
- We will email you a service request no (SR # ) within 48 hours and your service request would be assigned to a customer service executive.
- The customer service executive will work with you to resolve the issue
General enquiries
We'd love to hear from you. See below the topics people have reached out to us on so far. The best way to reach us is through this form.
User feedback and research
- University, research or clinical organizations interested in collaboration
- Physicians and patients providing their feedback on their user experience, and suggestions for how we can improve the system. We would love to hear and learn from your experience.
- People interested in trying out uChek but who can't yet (e.g. because uChek is not available for sale in your country, or because uChek does not yet support your mobile phone version). We'd be happy to keep you posted on signups for alpha and beta releases.
Distributor program and commercial partnerships
- uChek national and regional distribution
- Licensing and other commercial partnerships
Partner program for urinalysis strip manufacturers to integrate and list on the uChek platform
- Submit your test strip specifications, performance and certification details if available, and send us sample test strips of the make you wish to integrate and list.
- We will pass your sample strips through our structured quality assessment and compatibility evaluation routine. Estimated test time: 3 weeks
- Subject to positive assessment, and agreement of commercial terms of Partner program, test strip will be included for integration and listing with the next available version upgrade of the uChek app.
General enquiry form