Disposable Blood Sampling Device with Integrated Sealed Testing Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices lack an all-in-one disposable solution for collecting, temporarily storing, and analyzing blood samples, especially in emergency or non-laboratory settings, as they fail to provide a sealed testing chamber and efficient means to move the sample into and out of a testing region using pressure differential.
Innovation Solution
A disposable blood sampling device utilizing capillary action to collect a predetermined amount of blood, which is then transferred to a testing region within the device by a pressure differential activated upon insertion into a portable analyzer, forming a hermetically sealed testing chamber for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a disposable device is used to collect and store blood samples, then contamination risk and exposure risk are reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the need for integrated collection, storage, and testing chamber functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (collection, temporary storage, and testing chamber) into a single integrated disposable device. The collection chamber and testing chamber are formed as integral parts of one device structure, eliminating the need for separate containers and reducing contamination risk while managing device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable device serves multiple purposes: it acts as a collection receptacle, a temporary storage container, and a testing chamber all in one unit. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and minimizes handling steps that could lead to contamination.
2Ease of operation
If capillary action is used to collect blood samples, then the collection process is simplified and automated, but the ability to control and move precise sample volumes into the testing region becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pressure differential mechanism (using pneumatic pressure) to move the blood sample from the collection chamber to the testing chamber. This allows precise control of sample volume and timing, overcoming the limitations of passive capillary action while maintaining ease of operation through automated pressure-driven transfer.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealed testing chamber is formed within the disposable device, then sample exposure risk is minimized, but the device design becomes more complex requiring hermetic sealing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The collection chamber and testing chamber are formed as integral parts of the disposable device with built-in hermetic sealing. This integration reduces the number of separate sealing interfaces needed, minimizing exposure risk while managing sealing complexity through monolithic device construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes flexible membrane structures to create hermetic seals between chambers and to the external environment. These thin film barriers provide effective sealing with minimal structural complexity, preventing sample exposure while maintaining device simplicity.
4Reliability
If the device is designed for single-use disposal, then contamination risk between samples is eliminated, but the cost per test increases and waste generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable single-use device that is designed to be discarded after one use. This eliminates cross-contamination risk between samples and devices while using cost-effective materials and simple construction to minimize the economic and environmental impact of waste generation.
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
Enables quick, clean, and safe collection and analysis of a predefined blood sample volume, minimizing exposure risks and ensuring accurate results in emergency or non-laboratory settings by using capillary action and pressure differential to move the sample into a sealed testing chamber.
Implementation Method 1
collecting the sample into a capillary tube following a finger, heel, or earlobe stick... blood flows into the tube from the incision by capillary action
Implementation Method 2
operates by a combination of capillary action to collect a small fluid sample (such as blood), and by pressure differential when inserted into an analyzer to move the fluid into and out of a test chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid sampling device (100) that operates by a combination of capillary action to collect a small fluid sample, and by pressure differential when inserted into an analyzer (200) to expose the fluid sample for testing by the analyzer (200). The device is especially suited for use as a disposable blood sampling unit designed to interface with a blood analyzer, albeit the concept of the invention may be employed for sampling and testing virtually any fluids.