Blood Analysis Cartridge Assembly With Nested Quality Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blood analysis devices are large, complex, and require frequent reagent and sensor replacements, limiting their use to specific laboratories and increasing in size when a sub-cartridge for quality control is attached, which restricts on-site usage.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge assembly design featuring a main cartridge with a detachable sub-cartridge for quality control solution, where the sub-cartridge does not protrude from the main cartridge, maintaining the overall shape and allowing easy coupling and separation, with a handle for improved handleability and transportability, and including a solution distribution system to prevent leakage and enhance the number of solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a sub-cartridge for quality control solution is detachably coupled to the outside of the blood analysis device main body, then quality control function is improved, but the area occupied by the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-cartridge is inserted into a groove formed on the main cartridge, with the sub-cartridge fitting inside the main cartridge's structure. This nesting arrangement allows the quality control function to be integrated without increasing the overall device footprint, as the sub-cartridge occupies space within the existing main cartridge volume rather than adding external bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-cartridge and main cartridge are combined into a single integrated cartridge assembly that is treated as one unit during insertion and operation. The sub-cartridge groove and cover structure merge the quality control component with the reagent storage component, creating a unified assembly that maintains a compact form factor while providing both reagent storage and quality control functions.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple reagent solution bags and quality control solution bags are disposed within the cartridge assembly, then the types and numbers of solutions are increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge assembly is segmented into distinct functional modules: the main cartridge containing reagent solution bags, the sub-cartridge containing quality control solution bags, and the sensor card. This segmentation allows multiple solutions to be organized in separate, manageable compartments, reducing the complexity of fluid distribution pathways and making the system easier to manufacture and maintain despite containing multiple solution types.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution distribution part serves multiple functions: it distributes reagent solutions from the main cartridge to the sensor card, distributes quality control solutions from the sub-cartridge to the sensor card, and provides a unified interface for fluid connection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate distribution systems for each solution type, thereby reducing overall complexity while supporting multiple solution types.
3Shape
If the sub-cartridge is inserted into the sub-cartridge accommodation groove, then the outer shape is maintained, but the coupling and separation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-cartridge is designed to be extractable from the main cartridge through the sub-cartridge groove, allowing the quality control component to be separately removed if needed. This extraction capability maintains the compact nested shape during operation while providing operational flexibility for easy coupling and separation when required, such as during cartridge replacement or maintenance.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cartridge assembly for blood analysis according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a main cartridge including a main case having a sub-cartridge accommodation groove formed on one surface thereof and a plurality of reagent solution bags disposed inside the main case, a sub-cartridge which is inserted into the sub-cartridge accommodation groove so as to be detachable from the main cartridge and includes a sub-case and a plurality of quality control solution bags disposed inside the sub-case, and a sensor card detachably coupled to the main cartridge.