Blood Spot Card Elution Mechanism for Automated Sample Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing process for extracting blood samples from dried blood spot cards is cumbersome, costly, and time-consuming, requiring manual steps such as punching off blood spots, adding solvents, and centrifugation before analysis.
Innovation Solution
A fully automatic device with an analysis module and grab module that includes a grabbing mechanism, elution mechanism, and drying system to quickly elute blood samples from cards without manual intervention, using a conical and flat cavity design to facilitate eluent penetration and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual punching and extraction steps are used, then sample preparation can be completed, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manual operations (punching, solvent addition, mixing, centrifugation) into a single automated extraction device that performs all steps in one integrated system, eliminating the need for separate manual operations and equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction device automatically performs all extraction steps without manual intervention - the system self-regulates solvent delivery, mixing, and separation processes, freeing operators from repetitive manual tasks
2Productivity
If multiple manual operations are performed, then blood samples can be extracted, but detection costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential extraction function from the complex manual process, isolating the core sample preparation step while eliminating unnecessary intermediate steps like manual punching and separate centrifugation, thereby reducing overall detection costs
3Reliability
If traditional extraction methods are used, then blood samples can be processed, but the process takes too much time
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary preparation by pre-positioning solvent reservoirs and pre-configuring the extraction chamber before sample insertion, so that when the sample is introduced, the extraction process can begin immediately without setup delays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips intermediate manual steps (punching, transferring, manual mixing) and rushes directly from sample insertion to extraction completion through automated rapid processing, significantly reducing total preparation time while maintaining reliability
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 simplifies the process by eliminating manual steps, speeding up sample preparation, and reducing costs through automated extraction and drying, enabling efficient sample analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the first cavity is conical in shape and has a larger volume enables a pressure difference to form between itself and the second cavity, facilitating the penetration of the eluent
Implementation Method 2
a drying system used to dry an test card that has been eluted
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a fully automatic device used for extracting blood samples from cards that includes an analysis module and a grab module; an outlet is set on the bottom of the grab module, an inlet communicating with the outlet is set on the top of the analysis module, the grab module includes an upper case, material boxes arranged inside the upper case, and a grabbing mechanism; the analysis module includes a lower case, a holder arranged inside the lower case, a test card conveying mechanism arranged on the holder, a detection mechanism, and an elution mechanism; the elution mechanism includes a first tightly-fitting head and a second tightly-fitting head that are arranged one in front of another; a first flow passage is set inside the first tightly-fitting head, and a first cavity communicating with the first flow passage is formed at a rear-end of the first flow passage.