Capillary Blood Collection Device with Integrated Separation Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting a constant volume of plasma or serum from a small blood sample are cumbersome and require sealing or transferring the sample, making it difficult to obtain precise measurements for toxicokinetics and pharmacokinetics analysis, and increasing the burden on animals and patients in clinical settings.
Innovation Solution
A sample collection device with a flow channel that uses capillary action to suck in a sample and separate components by centrifugation, allowing for direct extraction of a predetermined component without sealing or transferring, and a holder for centrifugation and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional centrifuge tube is used to collect plasma from a small blood sample, then the plasma can be obtained through centrifugation, but the process requires sealing the tube and transferring the sample to another container, increasing operation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention integrates the collection tube, separation chamber, and extraction capillary into a single integrated device. The collection tube has an inner wall that forms a separation chamber, and the extraction capillary is embedded in the side wall, eliminating the need for separate containers and transfer steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into functional zones: a collection zone for receiving blood samples, a separation chamber formed by the inner wall for plasma separation during centrifugation, and an extraction capillary for collecting the separated plasma. Each zone performs a specific function within the single device.
2Productivity
If a micro blood collection tube is used to collect plasma from a minute blood sample, then the plasma can be collected, but the process requires sealing with a patty and placing in another container for centrifugation, increasing operation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-configured with the extraction capillary positioned at the appropriate location on the side wall, and the separation chamber is pre-formed by the inner wall structure. This preliminary arrangement allows direct plasma extraction after centrifugation without additional preparation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection and extraction functions are merged into a single device structure, eliminating the need to transfer samples between containers and reducing the overall processing time from sample collection to plasma extraction.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple animals are used to collect sufficient blood samples for toxicokinetics and pharmacokinetics analysis, then the required sample volume can be obtained, but the number of animals sacrificed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables efficient plasma extraction from minimal blood samples, allowing researchers to obtain sufficient plasma for multiple analyses from a single animal's small blood volume, thereby reducing the need to sacrifice multiple animals.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the effective sample utilization parameter by enabling complete plasma extraction from minute blood volumes through its specialized capillary structure and centrifugation design, maximizing the analytical value of each microliter of blood collected.
4Quantity of substance
If a large amount of blood is collected from patients in clinical settings, then sufficient sample for analysis is obtained, but the burden on patients increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device allows obtaining sufficient plasma for comprehensive toxicokinetics and pharmacokinetics analysis from a small peripheral blood sample, eliminating the need for large-volume blood collection and reducing patient burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The device efficiently extracts plasma from minimal blood volume through its embedded capillary structure, obtaining all necessary analytical components from a small sample and eliminating the need to collect large amounts of blood from patients.
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 efficient and simple collection of a constant volume of plasma or serum from a small blood sample, reducing the amount of sample needed and minimizing animal sacrifice, while also simplifying blood collection in clinical settings by allowing peripheral sampling.
Implementation Method 1
a flow channel through which a sample is sucked into the device main body by capillary action
Implementation Method 2
centrifugation to separate the blood into its components
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
This specimen collection device has a channel through which a specimen can be drawn by capillarity. The channel has two channel sections that extend from the tip side to the base side and are connected at the tip side. One of the channel sections is connected to a base side specimen intake port, and the other terminates at a location prior to reaching the base end. An air hole is provided at this terminating location. The specimen collection device is equipped with an extraction unit for collecting a prescribed amount of the specimen. The extraction unit includes the two channel sections on the tip side of the air hole, and can be severed from the other sections of the device body of the specimen collection device via a severable section.