Handheld Blood Collection Vacuum Mechanism for High-Volume Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bodily fluid collection devices, particularly for untrained users, face challenges in efficiently collecting a sufficient volume of bodily fluids, such as blood, due to cumbersome processes and the need for multiple steps, which are prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
Handheld bodily fluid collection devices employing vacuum pressure, oscillating vacuum patterns, and additional stimuli like heat, vibrations, and pressure to increase blood flow and collection volume, with integrated or accessory mechanisms to facilitate efficient collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If simple lancing devices are used for bodily fluid collection, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the collection volume is insufficient and reliability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a lancing unit for skin puncture, a vacuum generation unit for fluid extraction, and a collection reservoir for storage. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve both ease of operation and sufficient collection volume.
Solution Approach 2:
A vacuum mechanism is integrated into the device to create negative pressure that actively draws bodily fluid from the puncture site into the collection reservoir. This pneumatic principle enables reliable collection of sufficient fluid volume without requiring complex manual manipulation or multiple collection steps.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple collection steps are used, then the collection volume can be increased, but the loss of time increases and the process becomes more cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The lancing function, vacuum generation, and fluid collection are merged into a single integrated device that performs all functions in one continuous operation. The user makes a single puncture and the vacuum automatically draws fluid into the reservoir, eliminating the need for separate collection steps and significantly reducing the time required.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum mechanism operates continuously during the collection process, maintaining constant negative pressure to draw fluid from the puncture site. This continuous action ensures rapid and complete fluid collection in a single operation, avoiding interruptions or multiple steps that would increase time loss.
3Quantity of substance
If vacuum pressure is applied to increase collection volume, then the quantity of substance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum mechanism is designed to self-regulate and automatically maintain the required negative pressure without user intervention. The device self-activates upon lancing and automatically controls the vacuum level and duration, simplifying operation despite the sophisticated internal mechanisms required for reliable high-volume collection.
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
Enhances blood collection by increasing the volume collected, optimizing blood flow through capillaries, and reducing bruising, making it accessible for untrained users in various settings.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum mechanism configured to dynamically generate a vacuum that is applied to the subject's skin to facilitate the collection of the bodily fluid
Implementation Method 2
oscillating vacuum patterns, and additional stimuli like heat, vibrations, and pressure to increase blood flow and collection volume
Implementation Method 3
In some embodiments, the devices and methods disclosed herein include one or more temperature/vibration accessories configured to apply heat and/or vibrations to an area proximate the incision site
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for collecting a high volume of bodily fluid using a handheld bodily fluid collection device are disclosed. A handheld bodily fluid collection device includes a housing having an opening, a skin-piercing assembly positioned at least partially within the housing, and an actuator coupled to the skin-piercing assembly. The actuator can be actuated to cause a blade of the skin-piercing assembly to form an incision in the skin of a patient. In some embodiments, a vacuum mechanism configured to dynamically generate a vacuum is applied to the patient's skin to facilitate collection of the bodily fluid. The handheld bodily fluid collection device includes a surface that contacts the skin of the subject and is shaped to define an accommodating space into which a portion of the subject's skin is drawn (e.g., via vacuum pressure).