Capillary Bodily Fluid Collection Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bodily fluid-collecting devices cause significant damage to living bodies due to the need for pulling a plunger to draw fluids, which generates negative pressure and is inefficient for collecting a fixed amount of fluid.
Innovation Solution
A bodily fluid-collecting device comprising a needle part with a needle tube and a capillary connected to its base end, utilizing capillary action to collect a fixed amount of fluid without the need for plunger extraction, minimizing damage by using a thinner needle tube and allowing for sequential collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a plunger-based syringe is used to draw bodily fluid, then fluid can be collected, but significant damage is caused to the living body due to negative pressure generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical plunger-based suction system with a capillary action-based system. The capillary tube automatically draws fluid through surface tension and adhesive forces between the liquid and tube walls, eliminating the need for mechanical plunger movement and negative pressure generation. This substitution of mechanical action with physical capillary phenomena resolves the contradiction by enabling fluid collection without tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary tube performs fluid collection autonomously through its own physical properties (capillary action) without requiring external mechanical intervention. The system serves itself by using the inherent capillary forces of the tube material and geometry to draw fluid into the collection chamber, eliminating the need for operator-managed plunger extraction and associated tissue trauma.
2Productivity
If a plunger-based syringe is used, then fluid extraction is possible, but the process is inefficient for collecting a fixed amount of fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual, time-consuming plunger-based extraction mechanism with an automated capillary action system. The capillary tube spontaneously and continuously draws fluid into its chamber until the collection volume is reached, eliminating the need for repeated plunger movements and manual control. This mechanical substitution significantly improves collection efficiency and reduces the time required to obtain a fixed amount of fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary action provides continuous, uninterrupted fluid intake into the collection chamber without the intermittent stop-start nature of plunger-based extraction. The fluid flows continuously through the capillary tube as long as the pressure differential exists, enabling efficient and rapid collection of the required fluid volume without repeated manual operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a thinner needle tube is used, then damage to the living body is minimized, but the device complexity increases due to capillary connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the capillary tube is positioned within or alongside the thin needle tube. The capillary collection chamber is integrated into the needle assembly, with the capillary tube often housed within a protective sheath or mounting structure that forms part of the overall needle device. This nesting approach allows the use of thinner external needle tubing (reducing tissue trauma) while incorporating the more complex capillary connection system in a compact, integrated manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the needle function and capillary collection function into a single integrated device. The capillary tube is directly connected to or formed as part of the needle assembly, combining what would traditionally be separate components (needle + collection device) into one unified structure. This merging reduces the overall device complexity despite the addition of capillary functionality, while the thin needle portion minimizes tissue trauma.
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 of a precise amount of bodily fluid with reduced damage to the living body, allowing for repeated and accurate sampling without the need for plunger-based fluid extraction, improving workability and minimizing tissue trauma.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing capillary action to collect a fixed amount of fluid without the need for plunger extraction
Data Source
AI summary
A bodily fluid collection device includes a needle part having a needle tube with a needle tip, and a capillary removably connected to a base end part of the needle tube in a longitudinal direction thereof on a side opposite to the needle tip. A method for collecting a bodily fluid using the bodily fluid collection device, and a method for collecting an aqueous humor using the bodily fluid collection device are also disclosed.