Specimen Collection Stick With Disk Hub for Faster Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional swabs for specimen collection cause discomfort due to prolonged insertion times, risk of fiber separation, and insufficient specimen collection, leading to reduced examination accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A specimen collection stick with a rod-shaped support unit and a specimen collection unit featuring a hub with collection disks and recesses, eliminating the need for a fiber layer, allowing for increased specimen absorption and faster collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a fiber layer is used in the conventional swab for specimen collection, then the specimen can permeate through the fiber layer for collection, but the swab must remain inserted for a predetermined time which causes great discomfort to the subject
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fiber layer from the swab structure, extracting the problematic component that required prolonged insertion time for specimen permeation. The collection unit directly contacts and collects specimen without needing a fiber layer for permeation, thereby reducing insertion time while maintaining collection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection unit is divided into multiple independent collection elements (multiple swabs or collection tips) arranged in an array. This segmentation allows for increased total specimen collection capacity without requiring each individual element to be inserted for prolonged periods, as the combined surface area enables faster specimen acquisition.
2Quantity of substance
If a fiber layer is used in the conventional swab for specimen collection, then the specimen can be collected through permeation, but a part of the fiber layer may separate from the collection unit and remain in the body of the subject causing medically serious problems
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber layer is completely removed from the swab structure, eliminating the source of the separation problem. The collection unit uses a solid, integrated structure without loose fibrous materials that could detach and remain in the subject's body, thereby ensuring reliability while maintaining specimen collection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection unit is constructed from integrated materials that combine specimen collection functionality with structural integrity. The use of cohesive, non-fibrous materials ensures that all components remain firmly attached to the collection unit during insertion and removal, preventing any material from being left behind in the subject's body.
3Quantity of substance
If a fiber layer is used in the conventional swab for specimen collection, then the specimen can permeate the fiber layer, but the amount of specimen collected is not sufficient which lowers examination accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The collection unit comprises multiple swabs or collection elements arranged in an array, increasing the total surface area available for specimen collection. This segmented structure enables collection of a larger volume and amount of specimen compared to a single swab, thereby providing sufficient material for accurate examination and analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection unit transitions from a single-point or single-surface collection approach to a multi-dimensional array structure. By arranging multiple collection elements in spatial distribution, the patent increases the effective collection volume and surface area, enabling sufficient specimen acquisition for accurate examination without requiring prolonged insertion time.
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 solution reduces manufacturing costs, prevents fiber separation, shortens collection time, and enhances examination safety and accuracy by increasing the amount of specimen collected.
Implementation Method 1
the collection disks being arranged in a longitudinal direction of the hub, and the hub may be provided therein with an empty receiving space formed along a central axis of the hub in the longitudinal direction thereof
Implementation Method 2
a specimen collection unit located at a front end of the support unit, the specimen collection unit being configured to collect a specimen in a body of a subject that comes into contact with the specimen collection unit
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a specimen collection stick including a specimen collection unit, wherein the specimen collection unit includes a plurality of collection disks arranged in a longitudinal direction of a hub, the hub of the specimen collection unit is provided therein with an empty receiving space capable of receiving a specimen formed along a central axis of the hub in the longitudinal direction thereof, whereby it is possible to increase the amount of a specimen that is collected from a subject and to increase the amount of the collected specimen that is dissolved or dispersed in a reagent or a solution from the specimen collection stick.