Evacuated Oral Fluid Collection Device Using Sub-Atmospheric Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Invasive blood testing is inconvenient, costly, and poses risks, particularly for individuals with needle aversion, necessitating the development of non-invasive saliva testing methods for efficient and safe body fluid analysis.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a sealed evacuated sample container to collect oral fluids by creating a reduced pressure environment within a flexible intra oral member, allowing saliva to be transferred into the container using sub-atmospheric pressure, which is then stored for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive blood testing is used, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but patient comfort and safety deteriorate due to needle aversion and infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful element (needle/invasive puncture) from the diagnostic process while retaining the essential function of fluid collection for analysis. Saliva is collected non-invasively through a cheek swab or collection device, eliminating needle-related harm while providing sufficient biomaterial for diagnostic testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces saliva as an intermediary fluid that can serve as a substitute for blood in diagnostic testing. Saliva collection devices (swabs, collection tubes) act as intermediaries between the patient and the diagnostic system, enabling analysis without direct blood contact or invasive procedures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive saliva testing is used, then patient comfort and safety are improved, but sample collection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables patients to perform saliva collection themselves without requiring healthcare professionals. Simple collection devices (swabs, tubes) allow patients to collect their own saliva samples at home, eliminating the need for trained personnel while maintaining sample quality through standardized collection protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs disposable, single-use collection devices that are simple, inexpensive, and designed for one-time use. These disposable swabs and collection tubes eliminate contamination risks, require no sterilization, and can be discarded after use, simplifying the collection process while ensuring sample integrity.
3Measurement precision
If professional healthcare presence is required for blood testing, then sample quality is improved, but cost and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables patients to collect and prepare saliva samples independently without healthcare professional involvement. Collection devices are designed for layperson use with clear instructions, allowing patients to perform the entire collection process at home, thereby eliminating the need for professional presence while maintaining adequate sample quality for testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the requirement for professional healthcare presence from the sample collection process. By using simple, standardized saliva collection devices that do not require trained operators, the system removes the dependency on healthcare professionals while still ensuring sample adequacy through proper device design and collection protocols.
4Quantity of substance
If saliva is collected using absorbent pads with compression, then sample extraction is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs disposable collection tubes and swabs that are used once and discarded. These single-use devices eliminate cross-contamination between patients, require no cleaning or sterilization, and ensure each sample is collected in a sterile, controlled environment from the moment of opening to sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses sealed collection tubes as intermediaries that maintain sample integrity throughout the collection and storage process. The tubes provide a closed system that prevents external contamination while allowing efficient sample extraction and preservation, acting as a protective barrier between the saliva sample and the external environment.
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 convenient, cost-effective, and safe collection of oral fluids, reducing the need for professional healthcare presence and minimizing contamination risks, suitable for use by individuals with needle aversion and in non-clinical settings.
Implementation Method 1
transferral of at least part of the oral fluid from the flexible intra oral member (11) into the sample container (5) by activation of the sub-atmospheric pressure of the evacuated sample container (5)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and device for collection of oral fluids where a seal evacuated sample container (5) is used. The container is connected to an intra oral member (11) with at least one opening is used. The intra oral member (11) is connected to a member that penetrates the seal of the sample container and the sub-atmospheric pressure inside the sample container draws the sample from the intra oral member (11) into the evacuated sample container (5).