Blood Collection Vibration Module for Pain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current capillary blood collection methods are complex, require high skill levels, and often result in sample quality issues such as hemolysis, inadequate stabilization, and micro-clots, especially when large sample volumes are needed, leading to patient discomfort and pain.
Innovation Solution
A device that integrates a blood collection system with a vibration module, allowing for pain relief through mechanical vibrations that stimulate Aβ nerve fibers, aiding blood flow, and simplifying the collection process by stabilizing and dispensing the sample in a controlled manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If manual finger squeezing is used to extract large blood volumes, then sufficient sample volume is obtained, but patient discomfort and pain increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration through a vibration module that generates vibrations at frequencies between 20-200 Hz to stimulate Aβ nerve fibers in the skin. This vibration provides pain relief during the blood collection process while simultaneously aiding blood flow through the capillary bed, enabling sufficient sample volume extraction without intense manual squeezing that causes discomfort and pain.
2Quantity of substance
If deeper cuts are made to obtain large capillary sample volumes, then sufficient blood flow is achieved, but pain increases due to dense capillary bed with nerve endings
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration module delivers vibrations to the fingertip area at therapeutic frequencies that selectively stimulate Aβ nerve fibers. This activation of Aβ fibers provides analgesic effect by masking pain signals from the dense capillary bed and nerve endings, allowing deeper cuts to be made painlessly to access sufficient capillary blood volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cutting action and the pain sensation. By introducing mechanical vibration as a mediating stimulus, the system modifies the neural processing of pain signals, allowing the cutting function to be performed without the expected painful consequence.
3Quantity of substance
If complex multi-step blood collection workflow is used to obtain large sample volumes, then adequate blood collection is achieved, but sample quality issues such as hemolysis and micro-clots increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration module continuously vibrates during the blood collection process to maintain optimal blood flow dynamics. This prevents stasis and reduces the risk of micro-clot formation, while the controlled vibration also helps prevent hemolysis by avoiding excessive manual manipulation and squeezing, thereby maintaining sample quality during large volume collection.
4Quantity of substance
If intense manual squeezing is applied to extract large blood volumes, then sufficient sample is obtained, but bruising occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration module provides continuous gentle vibration during blood extraction, which facilitates blood flow through the capillary bed and into the collection device. This reduces the need for intense manual squeezing that causes bruising, as the vibration itself promotes adequate blood flow for large volume collection without the harmful mechanical stress that leads to tissue damage.
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 provides effective pain relief during blood collection, enhances blood flow for efficient sampling, reduces patient discomfort, and improves sample quality by minimizing workflow variabilities and potential issues like hemolysis and micro-clots.
Implementation Method 1
the vibration device of the present disclosure provides pain relief to a patient by vibrating the blood collection device
Implementation Method 2
the mechanical vibrations in combination with controlled gentle finger massaging using a blood collection device of the present disclosure reduces patient discomfort during a blood extraction process as well as speeds up the collection by stimulating an efficient blood flow through the capillary beds and out of the finger
Data Source
AI summary
A device (1) for obtaining a biological sample that includes a blood collection device (10) and a vibration device (80) removably attachable to the blood collection device that provides pain relief is disclosed. The vibration device of the present disclosure provides pain relief to a patient by vibrating the blood collection device. The vibration device can be attached to the blood collection device before it is placed onto a finger to provide pain relief during the finger lancing as well as to aid blood flow from the finger into a collection container during the collection process.