Aerosol Collection Device Using Passive Diffusion Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol collection devices face challenges such as limited shelf life, efficiency, and accuracy due to structural limitations and contamination risks, and often require large pressure drops or pumps that inhibit user comfort and damage pathogens during sampling.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol collection device featuring hermetically sealed capsule components storing buffer solutions, a flow channel guiding exhaled breath to a filter component, and a mechanism to release the buffer solution onto the filter for capturing aerosols, allowing for low-pressure sampling and preserving bioaerosols for accurate pathogen detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If large pressure drops or pumps are used in aerosol collection devices, then sampling efficiency is improved, but user comfort deteriorates and pathogens are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling efficiencyVSAvoiduser comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pump system with a passive diffusion-based sampling mechanism. The device uses a filter component that allows aerosols to pass through via pressure equalization and molecular diffusion, eliminating the need for active pumping. This substitution of mechanical force with passive physical processes maintains sampling efficiency while significantly improving user comfort and preserving pathogen integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the pressure parameter from high pressure drop (requiring pumps) to low pressure drop (near atmospheric pressure). By designing the filter component with appropriate porosity and flow resistance characteristics, the system achieves effective aerosol capture without creating large pressure differentials, thereby maintaining both sampling efficiency and user comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If pumps are used in aerosol collection devices, then sampling efficiency is improved, but pathogen damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling efficiencyVSAvoidpathogen damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the typically harmful effect of pressure drop into a beneficial passive driving force. Instead of using high pressure drops that damage pathogens, the system utilizes small pressure equalization forces combined with diffusion to achieve effective sampling. The pressure differential that would normally be harmful is transformed into a gentle, pathogen-preserving sampling mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If buffer solution is stored in open containers, then ease of manufacture is improved, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where the buffer solution is contained within an inner container (capsule or vial) that is itself housed within the main device body. This nested arrangement allows the buffer solution to be hermetically sealed in a simple, easy-to-manufacture container while the outer structure provides additional protection and integration, effectively eliminating contamination risk without complicating manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs disposable, pre-filled, hermetically sealed buffer solution cartridges or capsules. These single-use components are manufactured separately with simple sealing, then integrated into the device. This approach maintains ease of manufacture for each component while ensuring contamination-free storage through factory sealing, and the disposable nature eliminates the need for complex sterilization and storage infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

The device effectively captures aerosols with low pressure drop, ensuring user comfort and preserving pathogens for accurate downstream diagnostics, while eliminating the need for pumps and reducing contamination risks.

Implementation Method 1

a filter component, wherein the buffer solution is contained in at least one of a first side of the filter component adjacent to the sample distribution annulus element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230008102A1Apparatuses, systems, and methods for sample capture and extraction

Publication Date: 2023.01.12 HAND HELD PRODS INC

AI summary

Methods, apparatuses, and systems associated with aerosol collection devices (such as, but not limited to, breath-aerosol collector devices, breathalyzers) are provided.