Analyzing Device Capillary Guide Section Overflow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional analyzing devices face inefficiencies in directly collecting and processing sample liquids, leading to increased apparatus size, complex operation, and inaccurate measurements due to issues with sample liquid overflow and adherence to external walls.

Innovation Solution

An analyzing device with a microchannel structure that uses centrifugal force for sample liquid transfer and a capillary force for precise measurement, featuring a guide section and capillary cavity with a bent section to control liquid flow and prevent overflow, allowing direct collection and internal supply of sample liquids without external tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a sample liquid is directly collected from an inlet without using an insertion tool, then the ease of operation is improved, but the sample liquid may adhere to external walls and cause measurement inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hydrophilic stopper as an intermediary component between the inlet and the measurement chamber. This stopper acts as a mediator that guides the sample liquid flow and prevents it from adhering to external walls, thus maintaining measurement accuracy while enabling direct collection without insertion tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different surface properties to different regions of the device. The internal surfaces are made hydrophilic to attract and guide the sample liquid, while external surfaces are designed to be non-adhesive. This local differentiation of surface properties ensures that the sample liquid follows the intended path and does not adhere to external walls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the analyzing device is rotated at high speed to transfer sample liquid quickly, then the productivity is improved, but the sample liquid may overflow due to centrifugal force

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary anti-action by designing the hydrophilic stopper and microchannel structure to counteract the harmful effects of centrifugal force before overflow can occur. The hydrophilic stopper creates a barrier that prevents sample liquid from being thrown outward by centrifugal force, while the microchannels provide a controlled path that resists overflow even at high rotation speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Volume of moving object

If the device size is reduced to meet downsizing requirements, then the volume of the object is improved, but the complexity of controlling liquid flow increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs self-service principles by utilizing the inherent properties of materials and physical phenomena to control liquid flow without complex mechanical components. The hydrophilic stopper automatically directs liquid flow based on its surface properties, and the microchannel structure passively guides the sample liquid through capillary forces and surface tension, eliminating the need for complex valves or pumps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If the measurement segment is designed with a hydrophilic stopper to stop sample liquid, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the function of the hydrophilic stopper with the measurement segment structure itself. Rather than adding a separate stopper component, the design integrates the hydrophilic stopping function into the measurement segment's geometry and surface treatment, thereby achieving precise liquid stopping without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances work efficiency, reduces apparatus size, and improves measurement accuracy by enabling direct and precise collection and processing of sample liquids, simplifying the sampling process and reducing user workload.

Implementation Method 1

a guide section formed so as to extend circumferentially inward from the inlet and in which a capillary force acts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary force: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

transfers a sample liquid towards an internal measurement spot by a centrifugal force accompanying the rotational drive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3521833B1Analyzing device
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 PHC HLDG CORP
  • EP3521833B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3521833B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3521833B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an analyzing device having one end of a supplying capillary channel opened at a spot application section formed so as to protrude from an analyzing device main body, the supplying capillary channel connected to a microchannel structure formed inside the analyzing device main body, a sample liquid applied to the spot application section suctioned by a capillary force of the supplying capillary channel, and the analyzing device used for reading in which a suctioned solution is accessed, wherein a leading end of the spot application section is formed as an inclined face, and the end of the supplying capillary channel is opened on the inclined face. Moreover, the present invention relates to an analyzing device having one end of a supplying capillary channel opened at a spot application section formed on an analyzing device main body, the supplying capillary channel connected to a microchannel structure formed inside the analyzing device main body , a sample liquid applied to the spot application section suctioned by a capillary force of the supplying capillary channel and a capillary force of a holding chamber formed inside the analyzing device main body, and the analyzing device used for reading in which a suctioned solution is accessed, wherein a filling confirmation region with a gap that is smaller or greater than a gap of the holding chamber in which a capillary force acts is formed on a trailing end of the holding chamber.