Closed Liquid Collection Container for Sterile Component Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum blood collection tubes face challenges in extracting liquid components efficiently due to pressure resistance, requiring high-level sterile facilities and special techniques, leading to increased costs and complexity in maintaining sterility.
Innovation Solution
A liquid collection container with a gasket and plunger system that allows for closed-state extraction of liquid components, using a gasket that slides within a cylindrical portion and a plunger to control communication with the outside, combined with a power function unit to move the gasket and extract components without opening the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vacuum blood collection tube uses a hard material main body to maintain depressurized state, then the container can maintain vacuum until blood collecting process, but it becomes difficult to collect liquid due to pressure resistance when suction is conducted
Solution Approach 1:
The container body is divided into a hard upper portion (for vacuum maintenance) and a flexible lower portion (for extraction operations). This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function: the hard portion maintains structural integrity and vacuum, while the flexible portion enables easy liquid extraction through deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The material property of the container body changes from completely hard to a combination of hard and flexible materials. The flexible lower portion can deform under suction pressure, allowing liquid to be drawn out without compromising the vacuum seal in the upper portion.
2Ease of operation
If the plug is opened to suck liquid with an instrument, then liquid can be extracted from the tube, but high-level sterile facilities and special techniques are required to maintain sterility, increasing costs and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible portion of the container can be designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use, eliminating the need for complex sterilization facilities and techniques. This reduces both facility complexity and operational costs while ensuring sterility.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible lower portion can be separated or removed from the hard upper portion after use. This extraction of the flexible component allows for simpler disposal or sterilization processes compared to treating the entire rigid container, reducing facility requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the plug is opened to transfer blood to another container, then blood can be transferred, but sterility must be maintained requiring special techniques and increased facility maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible portion containing the liquid can be disposed of after single use, eliminating the need for expensive sterilization facilities and ongoing maintenance. This disposable approach simplifies the transfer process while controlling costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible lower portion acts as an intermediary that can be connected to transfer systems. It provides a sterile barrier that can be easily interfaced with external containers or processing equipment without requiring the entire system to be in a high-level sterile environment.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a liquid collection container that allows collected liquid to be extracted in a closed state. A liquid collection container A1 includes: a container body 1 including a cylindrical portion 11 that extends in a first direction x; a gasket 2 that is in close contact with an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11 without any gaps in a circumferential direction, thereby forming a first space S1 inside the container body 1; a closure wall 12, a first plug portion 3, and a passage tube 4 (first switching portion) located at an end of the first cylindrical portion on a first side x1 in the first direction and switchable between a state where the first space S1 communicates with an outside and a state where the first space S1 does not communicate with the outside; and a plunger 5 connected to the gasket 2, extending from an opening 111 of the first cylindrical portion 11 at an end on a second side x2 in the first direction to the second side x2 in the first direction, and capable of applying a force for sliding the gasket 2 in the first direction x. The closure wall 12 closes the end of the first cylindrical portion 11 on the first side x1 in the first direction, and includes a communication hole 121 penetrating through in the first direction x. The first plug portion 3 includes a first connecting portion 31 that is impermeable with respect to gas and liquid-tight. The passage tube 4 includes a first end portion 41 connected to the closure wall 12 in a state where the first end portion 41 is in communication with the communication hole 121, and a second end portion 42 closed by the first connecting portion 31.