Dermal Patch Fluidics for Low-Discomfort Sample Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dermal patches for collecting physiological samples face challenges such as low sensitivity and specificity, discomfort, and difficulty in obtaining samples, especially from children, and lack of capability for complex sample processing without user intervention.
Innovation Solution
A dermal patch with a housing containing a sample collection chamber, fluidic channels, and a pin that generates negative pressure for sample collection, coupled with a processing fluid reservoir and a detector for in-situ analysis, allowing for the collection and analysis of physiological samples with minimal user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a dermal patch is used to collect physiological samples, then the invasiveness is reduced and subject comfort is improved, but the sensitivity and specificity of sample detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the sample collection and processing functions into distinct modules: a collection chamber for receiving the physiological sample, a separate processing fluid reservoir, and a detection chamber. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, maintaining minimal invasiveness while enabling sophisticated sample processing to preserve detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A processing fluid acts as an intermediary between the collected physiological sample and the detection system. The processing fluid facilitates sample preparation, concentration, and conditioning within the sealed patch environment, enabling high-sensitivity detection without requiring invasive sample collection methods.
2Ease of operation
If a dermal patch allows self-use collection, then ease of operation is improved, but the capability to perform complex sample processing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The processing fluid is pre-loaded into a sealed reservoir within the patch before use. The reservoir includes a frangible barrier that automatically breaks when the sample is introduced, initiating the processing sequence without user intervention. This preliminary preparation enables complex processing to occur automatically after simple sample application.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-service through automated mechanisms: the frangible barrier breaks automatically upon sample introduction, releasing the processing fluid which then automatically mixes with and processes the sample in the collection chamber, eliminating the need for user intervention in complex processing steps.
3Ease of operation
If a pin is used to generate negative pressure for sample collection, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pin is designed as a removable component that can be extracted from the device after use. This extraction capability simplifies the overall device structure by eliminating the need for complex integrated pin deployment mechanisms, while still enabling easy negative pressure generation during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical pin system replaces more complex automated pump or vacuum mechanisms. By using a simple removable pin that creates negative pressure through its removal action, the device achieves effective sample collection with minimal mechanical complexity.
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
Facilitates easy and comfortable collection of physiological samples, enabling in-situ analysis and storage, with improved sensitivity and specificity for various analytes, including biomarkers and pathogens, suitable for use in diverse environments.
Implementation Method 1
The pin is configured to seal the receptacle when in the undeployed position and is further configured to facilitate generation of a negative pressure in the sample fluidic channel when the pin is moved from the undeployed to the deployed position
Implementation Method 2
When the processing fluid and the physiological sample enter the collection chamber, they mix and interact to form a processed physiological sample
Data Source
AI summary
A dermal patch device for acquisition and analysis of a physiological sample from a subject can include, a lancet port configured to receive a lancet to pierce the skin of the subject and thereby obtain the physiological sample, a sensor disposed in a sensor chamber, and a plurality of fluid pathways. The dermal patch device can further include a first fluid-filled ampoule, a second fluid-filled ampoule, and a third fluid-filled ampoule. The first fluid-filled ampoule can be actuated to release calibration fluid into the sensor chamber via a first group of the fluid pathways. The second fluid-filled ampoule can be actuated to evacuate the calibration fluid from the sensor chamber via a second group of the fluid pathways among the plurality of fluid pathways. The third fluid-filled ampoule can be actuated to draw the physiological sample into the sensor chamber via a third group of the fluid pathways.