Capillary Blood Sampling Chamber for Uniform Particle Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing whole blood samples face challenges in maintaining uniform distribution of particles during transfer to analysis chambers, requiring complex instruments, skilled operators, and mechanical interventions, leading to inaccurate results and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A single-construct apparatus with an ante-chamber and analysis chamber configured for capillary flow, allowing direct transfer of a representative sample without mechanical or manual intervention, ensuring consistent particle concentration and enabling accurate analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex instruments and mechanical interventions are used to transfer blood samples, then measurement precision can be improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses capillary action to automatically transfer the blood sample from the ante-chamber to the analysis chamber without requiring external mechanical intervention, pumps, or skilled operators. The liquid sample moves itself through the continuous fluid pathway driven by capillary forces, eliminating complex mechanical transfer mechanisms while maintaining sample representativeness and distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical transfer systems (pumps, valves, pipettes) with a passive capillary-driven fluid transfer system. The continuous fluid pathway between chambers allows the blood sample to move automatically based on capillary action, substituting complex mechanical control with a simple physical phenomenon that maintains particle distribution integrity.
2Measurement precision
If manual or skilled operator intervention is required for sample transfer, then measurement precision can be improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs sample transfer autonomously using capillary action, eliminating the need for skilled operators or manual manipulation. Users simply place the apparatus in contact with the blood sample, and the capillary-driven transfer occurs automatically, making the system as easy to operate as dropping a blood sample while maintaining precision through passive capillary forces.
3Productivity
If mechanical transfer mechanisms are used, then productivity can be improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary action system provides automatic sample transfer without mechanical components, achieving productivity through passive physical forces. The continuous fluid pathway enables rapid sample movement from the ante-chamber to the analysis chamber driven solely by capillary forces, eliminating the need for motors, pumps, or control systems while maintaining efficient transfer rates.
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
Facilitates reliable, reproducible, and cost-effective analysis of whole blood samples by eliminating the need for complex instruments and skilled operators, while maintaining particle concentration and morphology analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The chambers are continuous with each other, configured to allow the capillary flow of substantially the entirety of the contents of the ante-chamber into the analysis chamber
Implementation Method 2
configured to maintain a liquid-air interface to maintain a negative pressure within the analysis chamber with respect to the ambient atmospheric pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus. i.e. a device, for transferring a representative sample of a liquid containing particles into a chamber for analysis, such as for example, whole anticoagulated blood. The apparatus comprises an ante-chamber configured for receiving, containing, and transferring a portion of the sample to an analysis chamber. The chambers are continuous with each other, configured to allow the capillary flow of substantially the entirety of the contents of the ante-chamber into the analysis chamber to under-fill or substantially fill the analysis chamber. The apparatus can be conveniently configured as a disposable, single-use device, such as a dipstick, for performing both sampling and analysis from a single apparatus. The apparatus is useful for providing reliable and reproducible blood and body fluid analyses.