Biological Sample Drying Apparatus with Heated Air and UV Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for drying biological samples in medical settings are inefficient, taking around 90 seconds and requiring significant staff attention, with risks of contamination and aerosolization, leading to prolonged procedural times and potential hazards.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an enclosed chamber that uses heat, rapid air flow, and ultraviolet light to dry biological specimens quickly and safely, reducing drying time by almost 80% to about 20 seconds, while minimizing the risk of contamination through germicidal effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If manual waving or air blowing is used to dry samples, then drying time is reduced slightly, but sample aerosolization and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
A heated air blower acts as an intermediary device to transfer heat to the sample indirectly through forced air circulation, avoiding direct contact with the sample while achieving rapid drying. The air blower mediates between the heat source and the sample, reducing aerosolization risk compared to manual waving.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical waving with an automated heated air blower system. This substitution eliminates the need for staff to physically wave the slide, reducing contamination risk while maintaining or improving drying efficiency. The mechanical system is replaced with a controlled thermal and fluid dynamic system.
2Ease of operation
If staff manually dry samples using conventional methods, then drying can be performed, but staff attention is required for significant portions of drying time
Solution Approach 1:
The drying system operates autonomously once initiated, with the heated air blower automatically circulating air and drying samples without requiring continuous staff intervention. The system serves itself by maintaining the drying process through automated air circulation and temperature control, freeing staff for other tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares and maintains optimal drying conditions in advance by continuously circulating heated air, so that when samples are placed, the drying environment is already optimized. This preliminary preparation of the drying environment eliminates the need for staff to monitor and adjust conditions during the drying process.
3Loss of time
If samples are dried on a hot plate, then drying time is reduced slightly, but sample handling complexity and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heated air blower serves multiple functions: it provides forced air circulation for drying, distributes heat uniformly across samples, and can be integrated with incubation chambers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate drying devices like hot plates, simplifying the overall apparatus while maintaining drying efficiency.
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 apparatus significantly reduces sample drying time, enhances safety by preventing aerosolization, and allows staff to focus on other tasks, potentially saving over 10 minutes per procedure by automating the drying process.
Implementation Method 1
a light source positioned above the specimen in the chamber and configured to heat the specimen in the chamber
Implementation Method 2
a fan positioned above the specimen in the chamber and configured to force air flow over the specimen in the chamber
Implementation Method 3
The chamber includes a light source positioned above the specimen in the chamber and configured to heat the specimen in the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure pertains to methods and apparatus for drying bio-specimens.