Capillary Tube Closure With Venting Channels for Leak-Free Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capillary tubes face issues such as slow fill due to inadequate venting, premature sealing, breakage during closure insertion, and leakage during centrifugation, leading to bio-hazardous exposure and sample loss.
Innovation Solution
A closure with a cylindrical body having channels and a seal region, allowing vapor to escape during liquid draw and forming a fluid-tight seal to prevent leakage, with slidable movement enabling controlled liquid release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-inserted closures are used to seal capillary tubes, then tube sealing is achieved, but filling speed decreases and filling may fail due to limited venting
Solution Approach 1:
The closure body is segmented with multiple vapor escape channels that allow vapor to exit during filling while maintaining liquid seal integrity. This segmentation enables simultaneous venting and sealing functions, resolving the contradiction between reliable sealing and fast filling.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure incorporates a seal region with specific local properties (soft, compliant material) that differs from the rigid body portion. This local quality differentiation allows the seal region to conform to the tube opening for reliable sealing while the body provides structural integrity and vapor escape pathways.
2Reliability
If pre-inserted closures are used, then tube sealing is provided, but tube breakage occurs during closure insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The closure design incorporates a tapered portion and controlled insertion geometry that prevents excessive force application to the tube. The seal region material properties are selected to provide gradual engagement, cushioning the insertion process and preventing tube breakage while achieving reliable sealing.
3Loss of time
If closures are inserted quickly, then processing time is reduced, but leakage occurs during centrifugation
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is pre-formed with integrated vapor escape channels and a compliant seal region that is ready to engage the tube opening immediately upon insertion. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for gradual sealing processes, enabling quick insertion while ensuring immediate and reliable seal integrity during centrifugation.
4Reliability
If clay closures are pressed into tubes, then sealing is achieved, but tube breakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The closure transitions from a rigid structure to a compliant seal region with specific material parameters (softness, elasticity) that allow gentle engagement with the tube opening. This parameter change enables sealing through deformation and conformation rather than forceful pressing, preventing tube breakage while achieving reliable sealing.
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
The closure ensures efficient filling and sealing, preventing leakage and enabling safe processing, while allowing controlled liquid discharge for centrifugation.
Implementation Method 1
the tube adapted to draw a liquid into the tube by virtue of capillary action
Data Source
AI summary
A closure adapted for insertion in a tube having a first end and an opposed second end and a bore extending therethrough. The tube adapted to draw a liquid into the tube by virtue of capillary action. The closure at least partially insertable in the first end and adapted to be slidably movable between a first position and a third position. The closure includes a substantially cylindrical body having an outer surface and a proximal end adapted to be inserted inside the bore and a distal end in close proximity with the first end. The body having a plurality of channels extending along the outer surface between the proximal end and the distal end, and a seal region extending along a periphery of the outer surface between the distal end and the plurality of channels.