Breath Microbe Collection Assembly with Dual Chamber Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting respiratory viral and bacterial samples are invasive, costly, and require medically trained personnel, especially for patients who cannot produce sputum, necessitating a less invasive and cost-effective method to differentiate between upper and lower respiratory tract samples.
Innovation Solution
A breath microbe collection assembly with a housing having two chambers and a valve with a pivoting and diverting part that automatically directs breath into separate collection devices for upper and lower respiratory samples, allowing for non-invasive sampling and differentiation between the two.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If invasive procedures like bronchoalveolar lavage are used to collect respiratory samples, then sample collection from patients who cannot produce sputum is enabled, but the procedure becomes more invasive and requires medically trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the respiratory sampling process into two distinct chambers: a first chamber for upper respiratory samples and a second chamber for lower respiratory samples. This segmentation allows non-invasive differentiation between upper and lower airway samples, eliminating the need for invasive procedures while maintaining diagnostic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A valve assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's breath and the two collection chambers. The valve automatically directs breath to different chambers based on the sampling phase, enabling the system to differentiate between upper and lower respiratory samples without requiring invasive intervention or medical personnel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If automated valve mechanisms are added to differentiate upper and lower respiratory samples, then sample differentiation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is designed to automatically switch between directing breath to the first chamber and the second chamber without requiring external control or complex electronics. The valve self-regulates based on the sampling sequence, providing intelligent sample differentiation through a relatively simple mechanical design that minimizes overall device complexity.
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
Enables the collection and separation of microbes from both respiratory tracts, facilitating further analysis by stabilizing and visualizing the samples for diagnosis without the need for invasive procedures or trained personnel.
Implementation Method 1
The valve automatically returns to the initial position when a volume of an initial breath of said user is dissipated
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides a breath microbe collection assembly. The assembly receives both an upper respiratory breath and a lower respiratory breath of a user. The assembly includes a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber. A portion of the first chamber is configured to receive the upper respiratory breath and the lower respiratory breath. The second chamber is configured to receive the lower respiratory breath. A stop is mounted within the first chamber. A valve is mounted to the housing and has a pivoting part and a diverting part. The pivoting part is adjacent one side of the stop when the valve is in an initial position. The diverting part is adjacent another side opposite the one side of the stop when the valve is in an activated position. The valve automatically returns to the initial position when a volume of an initial breath of said user is dissipated.