Urify

What it does

Urify is a toilet-cleaning tablet that also screens for early kidney disease. With flush, it releases a reagent that detects urinary albumin, triggering colour change. then users with no symptoms can still spot irregularities and seek medical help early.

Your inspiration

2 years ago, my father was diagnosed with stage 3 CKD(chronic kidney disease)—the damage was irreversible. He had shown signs like proteinuria for years but still felt healthy even his kidney is 50% damaged at that time, so he never sought testing. That's the reason why CKD always undiagnosed and causes increasing investment in final treatment. This inspired me to create Urify: There are currently no truly accessible early screening tools for the general public. Urinary albumin is the best early indicator, and we all use the toilet daily, why not turn that into a simple screening moment—one that requires no extra effort, yet could save lives.

How it works

Urify is designed for effortless screening—used just 1–2 times a year, each tablet lasts 3–5 days. Urify has two parts: 1. Tablet：Fixed discreetly under the toilet rim, it releases a floating foam with each flush. When urine comes into contact with the foam, elevated levels of urinary albumin trigger a visible colour change—from pale yellow to blue. This visual cue alerts users to potential kidney issues and encourages timely medical consultation. 2. Color Visual Assistant：To ensure accuracy in various lighting and water conditions, Urify comes with a colour wheel and a computer vision system that helps users interpret results reliably and give suggestion under extreme case such as urine contamination & premature reactions. Unlike traditional diagnostic tools confined to hospitals, Urify is intended for public use—like fluoride toothpaste, it combines routine hygiene with preventative health benefits, making early CKD detection a natural part of daily life.

Design process

The 6 months design process combined physical sensing exploration, user research, expert consultation, and chemical exploration. Physical sensing: Initial prototypes used Arduino sensors to detect urine markers. However, this approach appealed mostly to health-conscious individuals—Urify targets those unlikely to actively seek testing or adopt medical tools. User research: Urify began as a one-off diagnostic concept. Early feedback, especially from women—often key decision-makers in household health and product purchases—suggested a shift in direction: people are more likely to engage with it if seamlessly integrated into existing routines like toilet use or combine with the product they already use. Expert input: After connecting with London Kidney Network and GP Experts, specialists highlighted that urinary albumin levels fluctuate daily due to diet, hydration, and exercise. A one-off test could miss warning signs. This led to the redesign as a solution that monitors urine across several days. Chemical exploration: At Imperial College’s Advanced Hackspace, I conducted material tests and visual perception studies. The outcome is a passive, hygienic screening tool that fits into daily life—creating a frictionless way to raise awareness of a silent but serious disease.

How it is different

Unlike traditional medical diagnostics, Urify is not designed as a "diagnostic tool" for hospitals or health clinics, but a "screening method" designed for reaching more people . While now some health monitoring devices are existing but they require active participation and high health consciousness (such as urine strips, smart toilets, or wearable sensors), Urify requires no extra cost, behavioural change or conscious effort. What makes Urify unique is its dual-purpose design and integration with a existing habit-use toilet cleaning product. It delivers both a practical cleaning function and an invisible health benefit, transforms a common cleaning product into a 1+1 health-enabling tool. Continuously released over a period of time ensures a reduction in false. The accompanying colour wheel and optional computer vision aid reduce misinterpretation. Urify is not a expensive complex medical device—it’s a lifestyle solution designed for the real world.

Future plans

A patent application is currently in progress. I plan to collaborate with research institutions to conduct further chemical and clinical validation of Urify. At the same time, I am also seeking commercial partners to support product development and distribution. My goal is to bring Urify into real households as a simple hygiene product that quietly enables early screening for kidney disease—making health checks as easy and routine as flushing the toilet.

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