Blood Collection Tube Orientation Alignment for Stable Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blood collection devices require manual adjustment of blood collection tube orientations, increasing operator burden and the risk of human error due to the need for precise alignment of protruding portions with the blood collection site.

Innovation Solution

A blood collection device with a direction adjustment mechanism that automatically aligns the orientation of blood collection tubes by adjusting the position of the protruding portion relative to the central axis within a predetermined range, using sensors and motors to ensure accurate placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of blood collection tube orientation is performed, then the protruding portion can be aligned with the blood collection site, but the operator burden increases and the time required for blood collection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator burdenVSAvoidtime required for blood collection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The blood collection tube automatically adjusts its own orientation using an orientation adjustment mechanism integrated within the tube structure. The tube self-aligns its protruding portion with the blood collection site through mechanical self-adjustment, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention and reducing both operator burden and collection time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The orientation adjustment mechanism is pre-configured within the blood collection tube structure, allowing the tube to automatically assume the correct orientation before blood collection begins. This preliminary automatic alignment ensures the protruding portion is positioned correctly relative to the blood collection site without requiring subsequent manual adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual adjustment of blood collection tube orientation is performed, then the protruding portion can be aligned with the blood collection site, but human errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidhuman error risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blood collection tube autonomously performs orientation adjustment through an integrated mechanical mechanism that self-aligns the protruding portion with the blood collection site. This eliminates human intervention in the alignment process, thereby removing the source of human error while maintaining high alignment accuracy through precise mechanical design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical adjustment process is replaced with an automatic mechanical orientation adjustment mechanism embedded in the tube. This substitution of manual operation with an automated mechanical system ensures consistent, accurate alignment without the variability and error potential inherent in human manual adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If multiple blood collection tubes are installed, then comprehensive blood collection can be performed, but the time and effort required for installing and adjusting orientations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood collection capacityVSAvoidtime for installing and adjusting tubes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Each blood collection tube in the set is equipped with its own orientation adjustment mechanism, allowing all tubes to automatically self-align simultaneously upon installation. This enables multiple tubes to be processed in parallel without requiring sequential manual adjustment, thereby maintaining high blood collection capacity while dramatically reducing the time and effort required for installation and orientation setup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The orientation adjustment capability is pre-built into each tube's structure, so that when multiple tubes are installed in the blood collection device, they all automatically assume correct orientations without requiring operator intervention. This preliminary design feature enables scalable processing of multiple tubes simultaneously, increasing productivity without proportionally increasing adjustment time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4659671A1Blood collection device

Publication Date: 2025.12.10 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP

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AI summary

The invention provides a blood collection device capable of reducing work involved in blood collection by adjusting an orientation around a central axis of a blood collection tube installed for blood collection and capable of stably and efficiently collecting blood into the blood collection tube. The blood collection device (1) includes a holder (110) configured to allow a blood collection tube (100) to be installed, a blood collection portion configured to collect blood from a person from whom blood is to be collected into the blood collection tube (100), and a direction adjustment mechanism (21) configured to adjust an orientation of the blood collection tube in the holder (110). The blood collection tube (100) includes a bottomed cylindrical body portion having an opening in an upper portion, and a protruding portion formed by making a part of the opening in a circumferential direction protrude upward. The direction adjustment mechanism (21) adjusts the orientation around a central axis of the blood collection tube such that a position of the protruding portion relative to the central axis of the blood collection tube (100) falls within a predetermined range set in advance.