Adhesive Transfer Device for Contaminated Surface Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing contaminated surfaces using porous disk-shaped media, such as membrane filters, are hindered by mechanical instability and fragility, requiring complex systems and technical aids, which can lead to contamination and unreliable sampling, especially in adhering bacteria, making quantitative and reproducible analysis challenging.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a mount and a porous disk-shaped medium, where the medium is fixed via a first adhesive bond that is breakable with lower force than a second adhesive bond, allowing for secure attachment and detachment without additional aids, using a supporting layer to prevent damage and facilitate analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If porous disk-shaped media (membrane filters) are used for analyzing contaminated surfaces, then quantitative analysis capability is improved, but mechanical instability and fragility worsen, requiring complex systems and technical aids
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate components: a transfer device with a mount for stable handling and an analytical device for quantitative analysis. The porous medium is segmented between these two devices, being held by the mount during transfer and by the analytical device during analysis, allowing each component to optimize for its specific function without compromising mechanical stability
Solution Approach 2:
The porous disk-shaped medium acts as an intermediary between the transfer device and the analytical device. It is transferred from the mount to the analytical device, enabling quantitative analysis while being protected from mechanical damage during handling by the mount's supporting structure
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional technical aids are used to handle fragile media, then mechanical stability is improved, but device complexity and contamination risk worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The mount and analytical device are merged into a single integrated system where the porous medium is transferred internally from one component to the other. This eliminates the need for external technical aids like tweezers or forceps, reducing device complexity and contamination risk while maintaining mechanical stability throughout the process
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional technical aids are used for handling media, then mechanical stability is improved, but contamination risk and reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the transfer operation autonomously through its integrated design. The mount and analytical device work together as a self-contained system that transfers the porous medium without requiring external technical aids, eliminating the contamination risk and reliability issues associated with manual handling tools
4Ease of operation
If swabs are used for surface analysis, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision and quantitative analysis capability worsen due to unreliable transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The random mechanical rubbing action of swabs is replaced with a controlled, standardized transfer mechanism. The porous medium is pressed uniformly against the surface through the mount and then transferred to the analytical device in a defined manner, ensuring quantitative transfer precision while maintaining ease of operation through the integrated system design
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quantitative analysis of contaminated surfaces without breaking or altering the media, using a stamp-like mechanism for application and transfer, ensuring reliable detachment and analysis without additional technical aids, improving reproducibility and compliance with GLP and GMP regulations.
Implementation Method 1
the mount is bindable to the medium on its side facing away from the contact side via a first fixing edge, wherein the first fixing edge is bindable to the medium via a first adhesive bond
Implementation Method 2
the analytical device is bindable to the medium on its contact side via a second fixing edge, wherein the second fixing edge is bindable to the medium via a second adhesive bond
Implementation Method 3
a porous disk-shaped medium having a contact side arrangeable on a contaminated surface
Implementation Method 4
capturing contamination of the contaminated surface on the contact side
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (1) for analyzing a contaminated surface has a transfer device (2) with a mount (3) and a porous disk-shaped medium (5) having a contact side (6) arrangeable on the contaminated surface. The mount (3) is bindable to the medium on its side (8) facing away from the contact side (6) via a first fixing edge (7a). An analytical device (11) is bindable to the medium (5) on its contact side (6) via a second fixing edge (7b) to remove the medium (5) from the mount (3). The first fixing edge (7a) is bindable to the medium (5) via a first adhesive bond and the second fixing edge (7b) is bindable to the medium (5) via a second adhesive bond. The first adhesive bond is breakable by a lower application of force than the second adhesive bond.