Capillary Venting for Fluid Sample Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for mixing fluid samples with treatment solutions face challenges in controlling pressurization, leading to inconsistent delivery of the correct sample volume to test cartridges.
Innovation Solution
An integrated device with a septum piercing projection, capillary channel, and a vent on its outer surface, which allows air to escape during partial insertion and seals when fully inserted, ensuring controlled pressurization and accurate sample delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a two part device is used for mixing blood sample with treatment solution, then mixing function is achieved, but control of pressurization becomes difficult leading to inconsistent sample volume delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressurization control function from a complex mechanical system and replaces it with a simple vent hole feature in the capillary tube. The vent hole allows air to escape during insertion, preventing pressure buildup and ensuring consistent sample delivery without requiring complex pressurization control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent hole acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the insertion action and the pressurization state. By providing a controlled path for air to escape, it intermediates the pressure differential that would otherwise cause inconsistent sample delivery, enabling reliable mixing and delivery with simple device architecture.
2Stability of the object's composition
If air is trapped during insertion of first portion into second portion, then mixing may be incomplete, but creating vent openings may cause fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The vent hole is positioned at a specific location on the outer surface of the capillary tube where it can effectively vent air during insertion without being positioned where fluid would leak. This local placement optimizes the venting function while preventing harmful fluid leakage, ensuring complete mixing without compromising device integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent hole is pre-positioned on the capillary tube to automatically perform the venting function during the insertion process. This preliminary design ensures that air is vented at the appropriate stage of insertion before fluid delivery begins, preventing both incomplete mixing and fluid leakage without requiring additional active control mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If a slot vent is extended part way along the length of the outer surface, then air escape is improved during insertion, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slot vent extends part way along the length of the capillary tube rather than covering the entire surface. This partial extension provides sufficient air escape pathways during the insertion process to ensure complete mixing, while avoiding the excessive complexity of a full-length vent or complex mechanical venting system.
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 device ensures a precise, pre-measured dose of the treated sample is delivered to the test cartridge, overcoming the issue of inconsistent volume delivery and enhancing mixing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a capillary channel
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~1G
Figure 1H
AI summary
A device for preparing a fluid sample for use in a fluid analyte meter, including: a first portion, comprising: a septum piercing projection, a capillary channel, and a vent on an outer surface of the first portion; and a second portion, comprising: a treatment solution chamber, and a septum sealing the treatment solution chamber, wherein the vent is open when the first portion of the device is initially inserted into the second portion of the device, and wherein the vent is closed when the first portion of the device is fully inserted into the second portion of the device.