Bio Sample Collection Device With Breakable Liquid Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bio sample collection devices expose samples to air during collection, altering the distribution of anaerobic and aerobic microorganisms, making accurate disease diagnosis and microbial measurement challenging.
Innovation Solution
A bio sample collection device with a housing and cap part that includes a bio sample processing liquid storage unit, where the cap part is detachably fastened to the housing, and a bio sample collector is used to mix the processing liquid with the sample after collection, ensuring the microorganisms' integrity and user safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the collected feces are exposed to air during collection, then the collection process is simple and fast, but the distribution of intestinal microorganisms changes due to aerobic and anaerobic microorganism survival differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an anaerobic environment inside the collection device by filling it with inert gas (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) to replace air. This prevents aerobic microorganisms from thriving and maintains the natural anaerobic conditions of intestinal microorganisms, thereby preserving accurate microorganism distribution while enabling efficient collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts harmful air (oxygen-containing atmosphere) from the collection environment and replaces it with inert gas. This removes the adverse factor (oxygen) that causes microorganism distribution changes, allowing fast collection without compromising measurement precision.
2Reliability
If the cap part is completely fastened to the housing after sample collection, then the sample is sealed and protected, but the processing liquid cannot be mixed with the sample
Solution Approach 1:
The cap part is divided into two functional sections: an upper sealing portion that provides airtight closure when fastened to the housing, and a lower processing portion that contains the liquid storage chamber with a breakable seal. This segmentation allows the upper part to ensure sample protection while the lower part enables liquid mixing through mechanical disruption of the breakable seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing liquid is pre-stored in the lower chamber with a breakable seal before sample collection. When the device is assembled after collection, the mechanical action of fastening automatically breaks the seal and mixes the liquid with the sample, eliminating the need for separate mixing operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the processing liquid is stored in a separate unit that breaks upon assembly, then the liquid is safely contained before use, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid storage unit with breakable seal is nested within the cap part structure. The cap part serves as both the collection container and the housing for the processing liquid, eliminating the need for separate external storage containers. This nested design provides safe liquid containment while minimizing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the cap part: sample collection, liquid storage, seal breaking mechanism, and mixing chamber. By merging these functions into a single integrated component rather than separate parts, the device achieves safe liquid containment without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
4Reliability
If a stopper is formed on the screw thread to prevent complete fastening before collection, then the liquid storage unit is protected, but the fastening mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper feature is applied locally only at specific positions on the screw threads where engagement occurs, rather than modifying the entire fastening mechanism. This localized approach provides the necessary protection for the liquid storage unit while maintaining simplicity in the overall fastening structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw thread fastening mechanism is designed to be dynamic in its engagement process: initially, the stopper prevents complete fastening to protect the liquid storage unit; after sample collection, the stopper is bypassed or removed, allowing complete fastening to occur. This dynamic behavior provides protection only when needed without permanently complicating the fastening mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bio sample collection device capable of enabling accurate test of bio samples. The bio sample collection device includes a housing, a cap part and a bio sample processing liquid storage unit. The cap part is detachably fastened to the housing, and includes a bio sample collector for collecting a bio sample. The bio sample processing liquid storage unit stores bio sample processing liquid. The bio sample processing liquid storage unit is formed to be broken when the cap part is combined with the housing after bio sample is collected so that the bio sample processing liquid is mixed with the bio sample.