Detachable Two-Chamber Liquid Sample Collector for Confirmatory Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing urine detection apparatuses face issues with sample contamination, high operational complexity, and costly confirmatory testing due to the need for entire apparatus transfer, leading to increased costs and risks of spillage and storage requirements.

Innovation Solution

A detachable two-chamber design where a first chamber for initial detection and a second chamber for confirmatory detection are connected in liquid communication, allowing separation and independent handling of the second chamber for confirmatory testing, reducing contamination risks and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a piston structure is used to separate tested samples from collected samples, then sample separation is achieved, but the apparatus becomes expensive and difficult to operate due to high sealing requirements and large pushing forces needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample separationVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The collection cup is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for receiving liquid samples and a second chamber for collecting liquid samples. The chambers are detachably connected, allowing the second chamber to be separated and sent for confirmatory detection without the entire apparatus. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex piston mechanisms while achieving reliable sample separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the entire apparatus is sent to a confirmatory detection agency, then confirmatory detection can be performed, but costs increase substantially and storage requirements expand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfirmatory detection accuracyVSAvoidstorage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The second chamber containing the collected liquid samples is designed to be detachably separated from the first chamber. This extracted second chamber can be independently sent to a confirmatory detection agency, eliminating the need to transport and store the entire apparatus. This reduces storage requirements at the detection agency while ensuring reliable confirmatory detection can be performed on the separated samples.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If a large cup port is used for sample collection, then sample collection efficiency is improved, but the risk of liquid spillage increases during transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample collection efficiencyVSAvoidliquid spillage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The collection cup is segmented into two chambers with a detachable connection. The first chamber can have a larger cup port for efficient sample collection, while the second chamber containing the collected samples can be sealed and separated for transport. This segmentation allows the collection efficiency benefits of a large port while minimizing spillage risk during transport through proper sealing of the separable second chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3752841B1An apparatus for collecting liquid sample
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 HANGZHOU BIOTEST BIOTECH CO LTD
  • EP3752841B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3752841B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3752841B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention provides an apparatus for collecting and detecting liquid samples comprising a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is used for collecting liquid samples for initial detection, and the second chamber is used for collecting liquid samples for second confirmatory detection. The first chamber and second chamber of the apparatus are detachable. When a second confirmatory detection is necessary, the second chamber can be separated from the first chamber, and then sent to a detection agency for confirmatory detection. It can avoid the contamination of liquid samples caused by contacting with test strip of a traditional apparatus; thus, it can effectively reduce the space required for storing liquid samples and greatly reduce the risk of leakage of liquid sampled during transportation.