Capillary Fluid Sample Delivery Eliminates Needle Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in achieving accurate and reliable fluid sample delivery for analysis in milking environments, particularly due to issues like contamination, precision in delivering a predetermined volume, and the complexities of handling fluids with high fat content.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a sensing element, a detector, and a fluid sample delivery apparatus, which includes a dosage needle, pumps, actuators, and a controller, is designed to deliver a precise volume of fluid to a bioresponsive element, while minimizing contamination and ensuring accurate analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a needle is used to aspirate and dispense fluid samples, then the sample can be delivered to the sensing element, but contamination occurs on the inside and outside of the needle, causing carry-over and reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful function of the needle by removing it from the system entirely. Instead of using a needle to deliver samples, the invention uses a capillary tube that passively delivers a precise volume of sample through capillary action, eliminating the contamination and carry-over problems associated with needle-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a capillary tube as an intermediary between the sample source and the sensing element. This capillary tube serves as a non-contaminating mediator that delivers the sample through controlled capillary action, replacing the direct needle contact that caused contamination and carry-over issues.
2Ease of operation
If a needle is used to deliver fluid samples, then the sample can be transported to the sensing element, but fat content causes the sample to stick to the needle, creating cleaning challenges and hygiene problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the needle from the system to eliminate the adhesion problem. By using a capillary tube with different surface properties and no direct contact requirement, the fat-containing sample does not stick to the delivery mechanism, solving the cleaning and hygiene challenges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical needle-based delivery system with a passive capillary action-based system. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact that causes fat adhesion, allowing the sample to be delivered through capillary forces without sticking to the delivery apparatus.
3Measurement precision
If a biosensor is used to detect analytes in milk, then accurate measurement can be achieved, but consistent results are difficult to obtain in milking environments due to contamination and variable sample volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-positioning the capillary tube in contact with the sensing element before sample delivery. This ensures that the sample is delivered directly and consistently to the sensing element without contamination from needle contact, improving measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the source of variability and contamination by removing the needle from the system. The capillary tube-based delivery system provides consistent, contamination-free sample delivery to the biosensor, enabling reliable and repeatable measurements in milking environments.
4Ease of operation
If excess fluid remains on the outside of the needle, then the needle can be positioned for next sample, but this excess liquid contaminates subsequent samples and smooths cow-to-cow variance, reducing analysis accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the needle that causes the excess fluid problem. By using a capillary tube that delivers sample through capillary action without requiring external positioning or having external surfaces, the system eliminates the source of carry-over contamination that smoothed cow-to-cow variance.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary tube serves as an intermediary that delivers the sample without creating excess fluid on its external surface. The passive capillary delivery mechanism ensures that the sample is transferred cleanly to the sensing element without contaminating subsequent samples or masking individual cow characteristics.
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 system effectively addresses the challenges of contamination and precision in fluid sample delivery, enabling consistent and accurate analysis of fluid samples, particularly in milking environments, by ensuring reliable delivery of a predetermined volume and minimizing carry-over and adhesion issues.
Implementation Method 1
a capillary tube in contact with the sensing element, the capillary tube delivering the sample to the sensing element
Implementation Method 2
a wick in contact with the outside of the capillary tube, the wick removing excess fluid from the outside of the capillary tube
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for analysing a fluid are disclosed, including a fluid sample delivery apparatus. The system includes a sensing element configured to respond to at least one analyte in a sample of fluid. A detector is provided, configured to sense the response to the analyte by the sensing element. The fluid sample delivery apparatus includes a dosage needle configured to deliver the sample of fluid to the sensing element, at least one pump configured to control flow of fluid through the dosage needle, and at least one actuator configured to move the dosage needle relative to the sensing element. At least one controller is provided, configured to control the at least one pump and the at least one actuator.