Dried Blood Spot Card with Segmented Target Spots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Dried Blood Spot (DBS) cards are prone to contamination and sample spoilage due to their open form factor, which can lead to unreliable testing results. Additionally, the standard five-spot design often results in incomplete blood collection, as a single finger prick may not provide enough blood to fill all spots.
Innovation Solution
The use of an objective DBS collection device that holds a DBS card with strategically placed target spots and slits, allowing for precise blood collection onto the card while minimizing contamination risks. The device features conical apertures for directed blood flow and observation windows for verifying saturation levels without flipping the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an open DBS card form factor is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to contamination and sample spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a cover assembly that acts as a protective barrier over the collection surface. This cover can be transparent or translucent, allowing visual monitoring of blood collection while preventing contamination. The cover assembly includes features like a window portion and can be made of flexible materials that conform to the device structure, protecting the sample area during transport and handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a collection assembly with target spots, a cover assembly for protection, and a housing structure. This segmentation allows the collection surface to be protected without compromising the ability to collect and process samples. The cover assembly can be separated from the collection assembly when needed for sample application.
2Quantity of substance
If five blood spots are provided on the DBS card, then quantity of substance is improved, but reliability deteriorates when blood volume is insufficient leading to incomplete collection
Solution Approach 1:
The collection surface features target spots with different properties - some spots are designed to accept larger blood volumes while others are optimized for smaller volumes. The target spots may have different sizes, absorbency characteristics, or chemical compositions tailored to specific analyte types. This allows the device to reliably collect sufficient blood for testing even when total blood volume from a single prick is limited.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows collection of blood in multiple spots, but the system is designed to achieve reliable results with partial utilization of available spots. The collection assembly can accommodate fewer than five spots being filled while still providing adequate sample volume for diagnostic purposes, reducing the pressure on users to completely fill all spots.
3Ease of operation
If the DBS card is open-faced for collection, then ease of operation is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to exposure to foreign objects and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
A cover assembly made of flexible or conformable material protects the collection surface while allowing the device to remain easy to use. The cover can be transparent or translucent, enabling users to monitor blood collection progress visually without removing protection. This maintains the simplicity of the collection process while blocking contamination from foreign objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover assembly serves as an intermediary barrier between the blood sample and the external environment. It allows necessary interactions (visual monitoring, controlled access for sample application) while preventing harmful interactions (contamination, physical damage). The cover may include features like windows or access points that mediate between protection and usability.
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
This solution ensures proper saturation of each target spot on the DBS card, reduces the risk of contamination and cross-contamination, and allows for efficient drying, thereby enhancing the reliability of blood sample collection and testing results.
Implementation Method 1
a DBS card with target spots aligned with collection apertures on the DBS collection device
Implementation Method 2
conical apertures for directed blood flow
Implementation Method 3
after allowing time to dry, package the entire DBS card for mailing or transit
Data Source
AI summary
A dried blood spot collection (DBS) card that assists with correct and efficient collection of capillary blood using a dried blood spot collection (DBS) collection device. The DBS card may comprise a rectangular shape configured to be held in a DBS collection device in a desired orientation for blood sample collection. The DBS card comprises target spots aligned with the collection apertures on the DBS collection device. The patient will be able to direct drops of capillary blood to pass through the top holes and then blood will travel into the DBS card at precise locations so as to ensure proper saturation while minimizing risk of outside contaminants and/or cross-contamination between target spots. Further, the target spots are physically separated with slits or partitions such that the patient can verify saturation level by looking through observation orifices.