Self-Sampling Cervical Cell Device with Sealed Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sampling methods for cervical cancer detection are limited by the need for medical professionals to administer vaginal smears, leading to low participation rates among women, and there is a need for a reliable self-sampling system that minimizes contamination for accurate HPV analysis.
Innovation Solution
A sampling system comprising a flexible shaft with a handle and a removably connected sample collecting element, designed for self-administration, which includes a sealable unit for sample storage and transport, ensuring hygiene and accuracy for HPV analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medical professionals administer vaginal smears, then sampling accuracy and reliability are improved, but patient participation rate deteriorates due to discomfort and stigma
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables women to perform self-sampling of cervical cells using a brush device designed for easy self-administration at home or in clinical settings, eliminating the need for professional administration while maintaining sample quality for HPV testing
Solution Approach 2:
The brush device acts as an intermediary tool that bridges the gap between professional-quality sampling and self-administration, providing a mechanism that ensures adequate cell collection even when used by non-professionals
2Device complexity
If traditional scraping methods are used, then sample collection is simple, but contamination risk increases during transport and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The brush is nested within a protective cap that forms a sealed containment system, protecting the sampling surface from contamination during transport and storage while maintaining accessibility for sample collection
Solution Approach 2:
The brush device is designed as a single-use disposable item that is discarded after one sampling event, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination between patients and ensuring consistent quality without requiring sterilization protocols
3Ease of operation
If self-sampling is enabled, then patient participation increases, but sample quality and accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The brush features localized design elements including targeted bristle distribution and specific contact surface characteristics optimized for effective cell collection from cervical epithelium, ensuring adequate sample quality even when used by non-professionals
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-configured with the brush positioned within the protective cap and includes pre-printed instructions, allowing the patient to immediately begin sampling without requiring preparation or technical knowledge
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A sampling system comprises a mailing package; a cell sampling device (2) comprising a flexible shaft (4) having a handle (50) at one end, wherein the shaft is configured to allow an individual to self collect a cell sample from mucous tissue, and a sample collecting element (6) removably connectable with the other end of the shaft and operable to collect a cell sample from mucous tissue of an individual; and a sealable unit (7) , wherein the unit is configured to store the sample collecting element having a cell sample thereon and to be received within the mailing package (14) in its sealed form. The system may optionally further include a transport package (3) configured to receive the remaining components of the system for delivery to a user.