Detachable Sample and Detection Chamber for Liquid Analyte Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices for collecting and testing liquid samples, such as urine and saliva, face challenges in performing secondary validation tests due to issues like sample evaporation, leakage, and cumbersome operation, especially with small sample sizes.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a sample chamber and a detection chamber that are detachably combined, allowing for primary testing and subsequent separation for secondary validation. The device includes an absorption element that can be compressed to release liquid, ensuring sample preservation and ease of transportation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If an empty container is used for storing secondary validation samples, then the device structure is simple, but the liquid sample evaporates and dries during transportation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidsample preservation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an absorption element with porous structure to store the liquid sample for secondary validation. The porous material absorbs and retains the liquid sample, preventing evaporation and drying during transportation while maintaining sample integrity for subsequent validation testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The absorption element is pre-positioned in the sample chamber before the validation test is performed. This preliminary placement ensures that the sample is already in the correct storage medium, ready for immediate use when validation is required, eliminating the need for sample transfer or preparation later.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the sample chamber and detection chamber are permanently combined, then the device structure is simple, but secondary validation cannot be performed separately

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidsecondary validation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two separable components: a sample chamber that contains the absorption element with the liquid sample, and a detection chamber with the testing element. This segmentation allows the sample chamber to be detached and transported separately for secondary validation, while the detection chamber remains with the testing facility, enabling flexible validation workflows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The absorption element acts as an intermediary that maintains the liquid sample in a stable, transportable state. It bridges the gap between sample collection and validation testing, allowing the sample to be stored and transported independently while preserving its integrity for future testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a conventional container is used for small liquid samples, then the container is simple, but the liquid leaks easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer simplicityVSAvoidsample containment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The absorption element's porous structure provides effective containment for small liquid samples. The capillary forces within the porous material prevent leakage while maintaining sample accessibility, offering a simple yet reliable solution for containing small volumes of liquid during storage and transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

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 effectively performs primary and secondary validation tests while preventing sample evaporation and leakage, making it suitable for field use and ensuring accurate results even with small sample sizes.

Implementation Method 1

a water-absorbent element is used for absorbing and retaining liquid samples, for example, saliva samples

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

an absorption element that can be compressed is used for storage and secondary sampling. The absorption element being used for storing samples during secondary test can ensure that liquid therein will not be volatilized or evaporated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4529859A1Test device for detecting analyte in liquid sample
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 ZHEJIANG ORIENT GENE BIOTECH CO LTD
  • EP4529859A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4529859A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4529859A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a device for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample, and the device includes a sample chamber for accommodating a collector;and a detection chamber in fluid communication with the sample chamber;where the detection chamber includes a testing element therein, and the testing element is configured to detect the analyte in the liquid sample for the first time; and the sample chamberis detachably combined with the detection chamber, and the collector includes a first absorption element that is used for absorbingthe liquid sample and is capable to be compressed.