Biological Sample Collection Device with Latch System

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biological sample collection and transfer devices are cumbersome, prone to contamination, and require manual skill for consistent sample transfer, often necessitating direct operator contact and uneven force application.

Innovation Solution

A biological sample collection device with a moveable collection portion and a releasable latch system, allowing for controlled positioning from open to transfer to closed positions using cantilevered buttons, ensuring consistent sample transfer without direct operator contact and minimizing contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If direct contact between operator and collection portion is used to transfer biological material, then the transfer can be performed, but it may result in contamination of the sample and/or discomfort for the operator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator comfortVSAvoidsample contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device introduces an intermediary storage medium that physically separates the operator from the collection portion. The storage medium acts as a mediator through which biological material is transferred via capillary action, eliminating the need for direct operator contact with the collection swab while preventing sample contamination and operator discomfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If manual transfer of biological sample from collection medium to storage medium is performed, then the process can be completed, but consistent and uniform transfer depends heavily on the skill of the operator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample transfer consistencyVSAvoidoperator skill dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables self-service operation where the storage medium automatically absorbs biological material from the collection medium through capillary action. This eliminates the need for operator skill in controlling the transfer process, ensuring consistent and uniform sample transfer while simplifying operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device replaces manual mechanical transfer with capillary action-driven automatic transfer. The capillary forces within the storage medium substitute for operator-applied mechanical force, ensuring consistent sample transfer independent of operator skill level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If force is applied by operator to cause transfer of biological material, then the transfer can be achieved, but the force applied may be uneven, causing the resulting transfer to be inconsistent and non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample transfer uniformityVSAvoidforce application consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces operator-applied mechanical force with capillary action forces. The capillary forces within the storage medium automatically and uniformly draw biological material from the collection medium, eliminating variability in force application and ensuring consistent transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If the collection medium is exposed during collection, then sample collection can be performed, but it makes the collection medium vulnerable to contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample collection accessibilityVSAvoidcollection medium contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The storage medium serves as a protected intermediary that receives biological material through capillary action without requiring exposure of the collection medium. The collection portion remains accessible for sampling while the storage medium protects against contamination during the transfer and storage phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 facilitates efficient, consistent, and contamination-free transfer of biological samples, improving usability and reducing operator discomfort by allowing single-handed operation and preventing accidental exposure of the storage medium.

Implementation Method 1

some of the liquid sample is then drawn by capillary action into the sample storage medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS9757096B2Biological sample collection device

Publication Date: 2017.09.12 GLOBAL LIFE SCI SOLUTIONS OPERATIONS UK LTD

AI summary

Biological samples, such as saliva, are commonly collected on a swab and subsequently transferred to an absorbent storage medium. Embodiments of the present invention provide a biological sample collection device 600 comprising a collection portion 620 and a body portion 610, the body portion including a holding portion 652 for holding a biological sample storage medium (618 FIG. 1), and a sample collection/transfer means. The collection portion 620 can be arranged in a first position shown in FIG. 4, separated from the body portion for collecting a sample. The device employs depressible latches (630, 640 FIG. 6) to control the movements of the collection portion.