Capillary Protective Cover for Test Strip Liquid Containment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement devices suffer from soiling and malfunction due to surplus liquid samples, such as blood, entering through the insertion aperture and contacting internal components, leading to increased device complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A protective cover with a curved design and capillary drawing portions that prevent surplus liquid from entering the device by using capillary forces to draw excess liquid away from the insertion aperture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pair of doors are provided to prevent blood from entering the device, then liquid-tight sealing is achieved, but the device size increases and structure becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is extracted as a separate removable component from the main device body. It can be detached and reattached as needed, isolating the sealing function from the permanent device structure. This reduces the overall device complexity while maintaining liquid-tight sealing when the cover is in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover is designed as a thin, flexible protective structure that can conform to the device opening. This simple shell-like structure achieves liquid-tight sealing without requiring complex mechanical components such as doors or flaps.
2Device complexity
If the protective cover structure is simplified, then device cost and complexity are reduced, but the ability to prevent liquid entry may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover incorporates a curved rear face that recesses to match the shape of the device end portion. This curvature design allows the cover to conform precisely to the opening geometry, creating an effective liquid barrier with a simple, elegant structure rather than requiring complex angular or segmented components.
3Reliability
If drawing portions are added to capture surplus liquid, then liquid entry prevention is enhanced, but the cover structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drawing portions utilize capillary action, a self-service mechanism that automatically draws surplus liquid away from the opening without requiring external power sources, motors, or complex control systems. The liquid is passively captured and contained by the hydrophilic material's inherent properties, enhancing liquid prevention while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Ease of repair
If the protective cover is made removable for cleaning, then maintenance ease is improved, but the risk of improper reattachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure is designed with preliminary alignment features and secure engagement mechanisms that prevent improper reattachment. The cover's curved rear face matches the device opening shape, providing natural alignment, while the attachment structure ensures firm securing, thereby preventing leakage or detachment during use.
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
Prevents device soiling and malfunction by effectively capturing and containing surplus liquid samples, maintaining device integrity and reducing complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
A first drawing portion (23) is provided at a rear face side lower edge of the opening portion (22), the first drawing portion drawing surplus liquid sample by capillary force.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A protective cover (20) is for use with a measurement device (10). The measurement device (10) is provided with an insertion aperture (12) for insertion of a test strip (50) onto which a liquid sample is spotted. The protective cover (20) is curved such that a rear face side thereof is recessed to match the shape of an end portion of the measurement device (10) at which the insertion aperture (12) is disposed. The protective cover (20) is provided with an opening portion (22) at which the test strip (50) is insertable. A first drawing portion (23) is provided at a rear face side lower edge of the opening portion (22). The first drawing portion (23) draws the liquid sample by capillary force.