Blood Sampling Apparatus with Robotic Electrode Volume Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood sampling methods, particularly dried blood spot (DBS) sampling, face challenges such as requiring excessive blood, being difficult to automate, prone to contamination, and providing inconsistent results due to heterogeneity and lack of accurate volume measurement, especially when collected by untrained individuals in uncontrolled environments.
Innovation Solution
A blood sampling apparatus that includes a handle-stem-paper unit with electrodes for robotic manipulation, capable of determining blood volume and hematocrit levels, and featuring a system for identity authentication and environmental condition tracking to ensure accurate and reliable sample collection and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dried blood spot sampling is used to facilitate remote site collection and transport, then sample collection and transport becomes easier, but the system becomes difficult to automate and requires more blood than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The blood collection device is divided into separate functional components: a lancing device for blood collection, an absorbent material for sample absorption, and a mechanism for automated manipulation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates automated high-throughput processing while maintaining ease of use at remote sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces automated robotic systems as intermediaries to handle the blood collection and processing workflow. These robotic manipulators serve as mediators between the simple blood collection mechanism and the complex analysis equipment, enabling automation of previously manual steps without complicating the user interface at remote collection sites.
2Quantity of substance
If a large amount of blood is collected to ensure sufficient sample for analysis, then adequate sample volume is obtained, but the lancet gauge must be larger causing more pain to the subject
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs highly efficient extraction and concentration techniques that require only a partial amount of blood (smaller volume) to achieve the same analytical result. The automated robotic system performs precise partial extractions and concentrates the analytes, eliminating the need to collect excessive blood volume and allowing use of smaller, less painful lancets.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the concentration parameter of the final extract by implementing automated concentration steps. Instead of relying on large blood volumes to provide sufficient analyte mass, the system concentrates the analytes from small blood volumes, thereby reducing the required lancet gauge and associated pain while maintaining adequate analyte quantity for analysis.
3Productivity
If the entire blood spot area is used for analysis, then maximum sample utilization is achieved, but the heterogeneity of the spot results in differential chemical composition and inconsistent results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a punching mechanism that extracts a standardized circular portion from the center of the blood spot. This extraction approach isolates the most homogeneous region of the blood spot, eliminating the heterogeneity problem associated with using the entire spot area. The punched-out portion provides consistent chemical composition while still utilizing a significant portion of the available sample.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies the concept of local quality by identifying and utilizing only the central region of the blood spot for analysis. The center of the blood spot has more uniform distribution of blood components compared to the edges, which show darker staining and greater heterogeneity. By focusing analysis on this specific local region, the patent achieves both adequate sample utilization and consistent chemical composition.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual blood collection is performed by untrained individuals in uncontrolled environments, then remote and home testing is enabled, but contamination risk increases and result reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service features including automated identity authentication that verifies the test subject's identity without requiring trained personnel, and environmental condition tracking that automatically monitors and records temperature, humidity, and other relevant parameters. These self-monitoring and self-verifying features maintain sample integrity and result reliability even when collection is performed by untrained individuals in remote locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms through environmental condition tracking and automated monitoring systems. These systems continuously monitor sample conditions and provide feedback on sample integrity, allowing for immediate detection of potential contamination or degradation issues. This feedback loop maintains reliability by alerting users to problems that could compromise sample integrity, even in uncontrolled environments.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to a sampling apparatus and a method for bodily fluids, and, more specifically, a blood sampling apparatus and a method for using the same. A blood collection system includes a housing having at least one open end, and an absorbent material positioned within the housing. The absorbent material has at least one end positioned proximate the at least one open end of the housing. A method of collecting blood samples includes positioning an absorbent material near a source of blood, holding the absorbent material with a housing, the absorbent material absorbing a volume of blood, and moving the housing and absorbent material to a position where the absorbent material can dry.