Blood Sequestration Chamber for Cleaner Culture Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blood culture contamination leads to false positive results due to improper sampling techniques, vein collapse, and user variability in disinfection, increasing healthcare costs and patient anxiety.
Innovation Solution
A blood sequestration device with an inlet port, outlet port, and a sequestration chamber featuring an air permeable blood barrier is used to passively collect a first aliquot of blood under patient pressure, sequestering potentially contaminated blood before drawing uncontaminated samples into a collection tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional blood collection methods are used, then the sampling process is simple and quick, but contamination occurs due to user variability in disinfection and improper sampling techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically disinfecting the skin surface and collecting the initial blood aliquot before the actual sampling occurs. The automated disinfection mechanism ensures consistent preparation of the sampling site, eliminating user variability in the disinfection process and preventing contamination before it can affect the blood sample.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism between the needle and the blood collection tube - an automated sampling device that includes a disinfection mechanism and an aliquot collection chamber. This intermediary automatically handles the disinfected skin and initial blood collection, acting as a mediator that prevents contamination while maintaining sample integrity.
2Productivity
If vacuum pressure is applied to draw blood, then blood flow is facilitated, but vein collapse occurs in patients with delicate veins
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the vacuum pressure application based on real-time feedback from the pressure sensor. Instead of applying maximum vacuum pressure continuously, the system modulates the pressure to optimal levels that facilitate blood flow while preventing vein collapse, adapting the sampling force to the patient's vascular conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a pressure sensor that provides continuous feedback on the vacuum pressure levels during blood collection. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to monitor and adjust the pressure in real-time, ensuring that sufficient pressure is applied to maintain blood flow while preventing excessive pressure that would cause vein collapse.
3Productivity
If forceful aspiration is used to obtain blood sample, then sampling speed increases, but red blood cell lysis and potassium release occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the aspiration force through modulated vacuum pressure application. Instead of using forceful aspiration, the system gradually applies and adjusts vacuum pressure to optimize blood flow while maintaining gentle handling of the blood sample, preventing mechanical stress that would cause red blood cell lysis and potassium release.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical forceful aspiration method with a controlled vacuum pressure system. This substitution uses a more gentle and controllable vacuum mechanism that draws blood through capillary action and pressure gradient rather than forceful mechanical suction, thereby maintaining sample quality while achieving adequate sampling speed.
4Reliability
If multiple blood culture bottles are used to ensure comprehensive testing, then diagnostic accuracy improves, but contamination risk and healthcare costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automated disinfection of the skin surface and controlled collection of the initial blood aliquot before sampling. This preliminary action ensures that the skin is properly prepared and that the first blood drawn is less likely to be contaminated, reducing the need for multiple bottles while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated sampling system performs the disinfection and initial blood collection functions autonomously without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates the sampling process, ensuring consistent and reliable blood collection that reduces contamination risk across multiple bottles while maintaining comprehensive testing capabilities.
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
Reduces blood culture contamination by eliminating user variability and vein collapse, ensuring accurate sample collection without additional user steps, thereby reducing false positive results and healthcare costs.
Implementation Method 1
a sequestration chamber featuring an air permeable blood barrier is used to passively collect a first aliquot of blood under patient pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Blood sample optimization systems and methods are described that reduce or eliminate contaminates in collected blood samples, which in turn reduces or eliminates false positive readings in blood cultures or other testing of collected blood samples. A blood sample optimization system can include a blood sequestration device located between a patient needle and a sample needle. The blood sequestration device can include a sequestration chamber for sequestering an initial, potentially contaminated aliquot of blood, and may further include a sampling channel that bypasses the sequestration chamber to convey likely uncontaminated blood between the patient needle and the sample needle after the initial aliquot of blood is sequestered in the sequestration chamber.