Automated Blood Sample Collection With Optical Coagulation Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blood sampling methods require manual pricking, leading to inconsistent sample quantities, stress, potential contamination, and additional processing steps, with a need for accurate measurement of small volumes, especially for frequent testing.

Innovation Solution

An automated sample collection and testing device (SCTD) with removable cartridges that includes a piercing element, fluid sensing chip, and optical measurement elements to automatically collect and analyze small blood samples without manual handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual pricking is used to collect blood samples, then the collection process is simple and requires minimal equipment, but the sample quantities become inconsistent and contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample quantity consistencyVSAvoidcollection device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collection device is segmented into modular components including a cartridge with piercing element, sample collection chamber, and testing components. This segmentation allows for standardized sample collection volumes while keeping each module relatively simple and replaceable, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An automated intermediary device is introduced between the manual pricking action and sample collection. This intermediary mechanism controls the piercing depth, sample extraction volume, and transfer process, ensuring consistent sample quantities without requiring complex manual dexterity from the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If manual sample handling is used, then the device complexity is low, but additional processing steps are required and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidautomation device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated cartridge and device system. The piercing, sample collection, sample preparation, and testing functions are combined in one automated sequence, eliminating the need for separate manual handling steps and improving productivity despite increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cartridge is pre-prepared with all necessary reagents, collection chambers, and testing components before use. The automated device performs preliminary actions of piercing, sample extraction, and sample preparation automatically, reducing the time and steps required during actual testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If larger sample volumes are collected, then sufficient sample for testing is ensured, but stress on the subject increases and contamination risk rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample volumeVSAvoidsubject stress and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical system of manual sample extraction is replaced with an automated controlled extraction mechanism. This allows for precise control of the sample volume collected, ensuring sufficient quantity for testing while minimizing the volume needed and reducing stress and contamination risk through consistent, controlled collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 SCTD provides consistent sample collection, reduces stress, minimizes contamination, and accurately measures small volumes, facilitating efficient and precise testing.

Implementation Method 1

an optical measurement element that includes an emitter that generates an optical output and an absorber that measures an optical input, wherein an optical pathway is defined such that the optical output of the emitter passes through a portion of the fluid flow pathway and is received as the optical input to the absorber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS12449440B2Automated medical sample collection and testing for providing blood coagulation indication

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 2PI SIGMA CORP

AI summary

A sample collection and testing device for analyzing blood is provided that includes a controller, a fluid flow pathway, a pump configured to move fluid through the fluid pathway, and an optical fluid measurement element configured to measure a light intensity of the fluid in the fluid flow pathway. The controller is configured to: start the pump to move a blood sample in the fluid flow pathway, receive a signal from the optical fluid measurement element indicating a detection of a leading edge of the blood in the fluid flow pathway, stop the pump to stop the moving of the blood in the pathway, receive a plurality of light intensity measurements from the optical measurement element, each light intensity measurement measured at a corresponding point of time, and provide a mapping of the light intensity measurements into an indication of a coagulation of the blood sample over a time period.