Capillary Sample Receiving Part for Biodata Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sample collection devices for biodata measurement struggle with accurately controlling the volume of samples, transferring samples to measurement strips without excessive capillary pressure, and filtering out red blood cells, leading to measurement errors and inconvenient use due to flexible materials and bending issues.

Innovation Solution

A sample collecting device with a sample receiving part that uses capillary force to manage sample volume, featuring a diverging shape with a concave upper and lower portion and a curved circumference, treated with surfactants to prevent red blood cell breakage, allowing precise sample transfer to measurement strips.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a pipette is used to collect and transfer sample, then sample collection is possible, but the pipette may suck in excessive volume of sample and it is difficult to finely adjust the volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample volume controlVSAvoidvolume adjustment difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the sample receiving part by creating a specific capillary structure with controlled dimensions (inner diameter 0.5-2mm, length 5-20mm) and surface treatment (hydrophobic coating). This parameter change enables automatic volume control through capillary pressure, eliminating the need for manual volume adjustment and preventing excessive sample intake.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If a hole is bored at predetermined height of capillary tube to control volume, then volume control is improved, but capillary pressure becomes higher than sucking force causing transfer failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample volume controlVSAvoidsample transfer reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hydrophobic coating as an intermediary substance on the capillary inner surface. This coating acts as a mediator that reduces capillary pressure by preventing water meniscus formation, allowing the sample to be reliably transferred from the collection device to the measurement strip without transfer failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If flexible material is used for pipette, then ease of handling is improved, but the pipette bends causing undesired discharge of sample

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling convenienceVSAvoidsample retention reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a dimensional constraint by incorporating a reinforcement structure (such as a rigid outer shell or internal support) that prevents bending in the radial direction while maintaining flexibility for handling. This dimensional addition solves the contradiction by allowing the pipette to be flexible for handling but rigid enough to prevent sample discharge during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 accurate sample volume control, reduces measurement deviations due to red blood cells, and facilitates rapid biodata measurement by ensuring smooth sample transfer to the reactive layer, improving user convenience and measurement accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a sample receiving part protruding from a first end of the main body and having in a top portion a space for receiving the sample by capillary force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary force: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

an inner wall of the space is treated with a surfactant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP2439540B1Sampling/sample-injecting apparatus and biodata-measuring set comprising same
Publication Date: 2015.01.21 INFOPIA CO LTD
  • EP2439540B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2439540B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2439540B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a device for collecting a sample, which is capable of easily collecting and injecting the sample when biodata is measured using a measurement strip, capable of reducing measurement deviations due to influence of red blood cells, also capable of leading rapid measurement of biodata. Also, there is provided a biodata-measuring set including the sample collecting device and the measurement strip.