Exfoliative Cell Processing Device for Uniform Smear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional papsmear tests face challenges with manual handling of exfoliative cells, leading to infection risks and non-uniform smearing, which interferes with accurate observation and diagnosis.

Innovation Solution

An exfoliative cell processing device that suctions specimen from a vial and thinly smears exfoliative cells onto a cell smear slide using a specimen collector with a suction pump and guide block, ensuring a single-layer spread without manual tool handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual smearing is performed using tools like dropper or cotton swab, then the operation is simple and flexible, but there is a risk of infection to the user and the exfoliative cells form non-uniform overlapping layers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual operation simplicityVSAvoidinfection risk and non-uniform smearing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a stamping member as an intermediary tool between the specimen container and the slide. This stamping member collects exfoliative cells from the specimen and transfers them to the slide in a controlled manner, eliminating direct contact between the user and the specimen while ensuring uniform cell distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical smearing process with an automated stamping mechanism. The stamping member is moved vertically to contact the specimen and then pressed onto the slide, providing consistent pressure and contact area that ensures uniform cell layers without overlapping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If automated suction and stamping is implemented, then infection risk is reduced and uniform cell layers are achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection riskVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stamping member serves multiple functions: it acts as a suction interface to collect cells from the specimen, serves as a transfer medium to move cells to the slide, and provides a standardized contact area for uniform stamping. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The stamping member is designed to be inserted into the specimen container, with the suction channel integrated within the stamping member structure. This nested arrangement minimizes the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If manual smearing is used, then the device structure is simple, but the manufacturing precision and uniformity of cell layers cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidcell layer uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stamping member is designed with specific geometric parameters including a defined contact area, vertical movement path, and controlled pressing force. These parameter specifications ensure that the cell transfer process produces uniform layers with consistent thickness and distribution across the slide surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 attaches exfoliative cells in a thinly spread state on the specimen collector and subsequently on the cell smear slide, enhancing diagnostic accuracy by preventing overlapping and reducing infection risks through automated handling.

Implementation Method 1

a suction pump (160) of providing suction force to the specimen collector through the suction guide block, wherein the specimen collector is inserted inside the container member and suctions the exfoliative cells and liquid medium out of the container member by the suction force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a cell collecting filter (143) being mounted on the lower surface of the cylindrical plate, wherein when suction force is applied on the inside of the collector body by the suction operation of the suction pump, the cell collecting filter passes the liquid medium of the container member into the collector body, but filters the exfoliative cells of the container member on its lower surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12104992B2Exfoliative cell processing device

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 BIODYNE CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a technology related to an exfoliative cell processing device which obtains exfoliative cells out of a vial which has contained specimen of exfoliative cells (e.g., exfoliative cells and liquid medium) of a human body and then thinly smears the exfoliative cells on a cell smear slide. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technology for vertically entering the upper entrance of a vial which containing a specimen so as to extract a part of the specimen from the vial and then for thinly smearing the part of specimen on a cell smear slide which being disposed adjacent to the vial. The present invention has an advantage in that exfoliative cells may be attached in a thinly spread state on the lower surface of the specimen collector since the process of suctioning specimen from the vial.