Biopsy Container Assembly with Disengageable Partition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container assemblies for biopsy samples are hazardous due to formaldehyde exposure, prone to sample adhesion issues, and require precise vertical transport, with imperfect fluid-tight seals and complex user operation.
Innovation Solution
A container assembly with a lower chamber filled with preservation liquid and an upper chamber containing a partition with disengageable connections, allowing the partition to be pushed by a cover to immerse the sample in the liquid, ensuring fluid-tight sealing and safe handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the container is overturned, then the liquid goes into the cover, but the sample that adheres to the bottom of the container is not covered by the liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two separate chambers: a lower chamber for holding the preservation liquid and an upper chamber for holding the sample. This segmentation ensures that the sample and liquid remain in separate compartments during transport, eliminating the problem of sample adhesion and liquid displacement when the container is overturned.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the sample at the bottom and liquid above (traditional design), the invention inverts the arrangement by placing the liquid in the lower chamber and the sample in the upper chamber. This inversion, combined with the disengageable partition mechanism, ensures that the sample is always positioned to be covered by liquid when the partition is disengaged, regardless of transport orientation.
2Reliability
If a membrane is used to seal the preservation liquid, then the liquid can be contained, but the membrane must be broken by a puncturing member which complicates the device
Solution Approach 1:
The partition is designed with disengageable connection means that allow it to be dynamically repositioned from a closed position (sealing the liquid) to an open position (allowing liquid contact with sample). This dynamic mechanism replaces the static membrane-breaking approach with a simpler, more reliable disengageable connection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the sealing function from a separate membrane component and integrates it into the partition structure itself. The partition's disengageable connection means provide both the sealing function and the release mechanism, eliminating the need for separate puncturing members or membrane-breaking devices.
3Reliability
If two containers with holes are used to allow liquid transfer, then the sample can be preserved, but the user must precisely center the holes which increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into two chambers with a partition that has a controlled opening mechanism. Instead of relying on precise alignment of holes in two separate containers, the partition's disengageable connection means provide a single, straightforward action to open the liquid pathway, eliminating alignment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition's disengageable connection means are designed to automatically facilitate liquid transfer when engaged or disengaged, without requiring the user to perform precise alignment operations. The structure itself guides the liquid flow path when the partition is in the appropriate position.
4Device complexity
If the partition is fixed to the container, then the structure is simple, but the sample cannot be immersed in the liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The partition connection is designed to be disengageable rather than fixed, allowing the partition to move from a closed position (simple structure) to an open position (sample immersion). This dynamic connection maintains structural simplicity while enabling the essential sample immersion function.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition's position parameter is changed from fixed to variable, allowing it to transition between closed and open states. This parameter change enables the partition to maintain structural integrity when closed while allowing sample immersion when opened, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and functional reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A container assembly (101) for biopsy comprises: a container (2) provided with a lower chamber (C1) filled with a liquid (L) intended to preserve biopsic samples and an upper chamber (C2), a partition (3) disposed in the upper chamber and provided with a base wall (30) connected to the container; the partition has a lateral wall (34) that raises from the base wall (30) in such a way to define a compartment (S) intended to receive a biopsic sample (B); disengageable connection means connect the base wall of the partition to the container; a cover (4) is coupled with the container (2) and cooperates with the lateral wall (34) of the partition in such a way to push the partition, to force the disengageable connection means and to cause the disengagement of the base wall (30) of the partition from the container (2).