Biological Sample Inspection via Capillary Siphon Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional biological inspection apparatuses face challenges in preventing personnel contact with the sample and accurately controlling the sample volume, leading to inaccurate data and insufficiency of the biological sample during microscopic inspection.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features a hook-like communicating space formed between two glass plates with a first opening for capillary suction and a second opening for siphonic action, utilizing injection molding technology and optical molds to create a high-precision space that ensures a sufficient biological sample is drawn to a test area, preventing overflow and contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional microscope slide and cover slip are used to contain the biological sample, then the sample can be held for inspection, but the inspection personnel's skin is likely to contact and pollute the sample, resulting in inaccurate data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidpersonnel contact risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable test piece structure that is discarded after a single use, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination between samples and removing the need for complex cleaning procedures. The test piece includes a collecting hole, ventilating hole, biocarbon circuit layer, and base plate with stop member, all integrated into a single-use component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an automated sample introduction mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the operator and the sample. The sample is introduced through a sealed interface that prevents direct contact between personnel skin and the biological sample, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the space between the microscope slide and the cover slip is not precisely controlled, then the apparatus is simpler to manufacture, but the amount of biological sample is hard to determine, leading to insufficient or excessive sample

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample amount controlVSAvoidspace control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates pre-formed stop members during the manufacturing process that automatically limit the sample volume to the required amount. These stop members are integrated into the base plate structure, ensuring precise sample quantity control without requiring high-precision machining of the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The test piece structure is designed to automatically control the sample amount through its inherent geometric features, including the collecting hole dimensions and stop member positioning. The structure self-regulates the sample volume without requiring external measurement or adjustment devices, simplifying both manufacturing and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the collecting hole structure is simple and open, then it is easier to manufacture, but the inspection personnel's skin is likely to contact the sample, resulting in incorrect test data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample purityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a cover slip that acts as a flexible barrier, sealing the collecting hole while allowing the sample to be contained and inspected. This thin film structure prevents skin contact with the sample while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process, as the cover slip can be easily attached to the base plate assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This design prevents personnel contact and ensures an accurate, sufficient biological sample for microscopic inspection, simplifying the process and enhancing data accuracy by utilizing capillary and siphonic actions within a communicating tube principle.

Implementation Method 1

A biological sample, entering the communicating space via the first opening, is sucked toward the test area by capillarity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

then sucked downward to a second opening by a siphon action

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSiphonic action: Syphon

Implementation Method 3

then the biological sample becomes still in the hook-like communicating space as a result of the communicating tube principle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCommunicating tube principle:

Data Source

PatentUS8213080B2Inspection apparatus for biological sample

Publication Date: 2012.07.03 SHANGHAI MICROTEK TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An inspection apparatus for a biological sample is herein disclosed, wherein a sample, entering a communicating space via a first opening, is sucked upward to a test area by capillarity and then sucked downward to a second opening by a siphonic action; then the sample becomes still as a result of the communicating tube principle. Hence, the present invention provides sufficient amount of biological sample for the test area and also simplifies the inspection process.