Exhaled Particle Collection Chamber With Bubble-Free Reagent Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Efficient collection and analysis of airborne particles exhaled by humans, particularly for disease screening, is hindered by the need for separate sample preparation and the risk of bubble interference in light-based measurements.

Innovation Solution

A collecting device with spaced layers forming a particle collection chamber, featuring inlets and outlets for airflow and a controlled reagent flow path, ensuring efficient particle capture and reagent addition without bubble formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple inlets are used to improve particle capture efficiency, then the capturing efficiency of airborne particles is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapturing efficiency of airborne particlesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple functional layers (first layer with inlets, second layer with outlets, intermediate layer with collection chamber) to enable parallel particle capture through multiple inlets while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first layer serves dual functions as both the inlet structure for air flow and the collection surface for airborne particles, eliminating the need for separate collection surfaces and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the particle collection chamber is filled with reagent to enable analysis, then the sample preparation is improved, but bubble trapping occurs which affects light-based analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample preparation efficiencyVSAvoidanalysis accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The side wall extends vertically from the first layer to the second layer, creating a three-dimensional flow path that guides reagent from one end of the chamber to the other, ensuring complete displacement of air and prevention of bubble formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The side wall acts as an intermediary structure that mediates the reagent flow path, directing the liquid to propagate through the entire chamber volume systematically rather than allowing random filling that would trap air pockets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If separate steps are used for particle collection and reagent addition, then the device structure is simplified, but the analysis time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The particle collection chamber and reagent addition chamber are merged into a single integrated chamber, allowing simultaneous presence of collected particles and reagent without requiring physical transfer or additional mixing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The particle collection chamber serves multiple functions: collecting airborne particles, containing the reagent, and serving as the reaction chamber for analysis, eliminating the need for separate vessels and transfer operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Facilitates high-efficiency particle collection and preparation for rapid analysis, minimizing discomfort and reducing bubble interference in light-based measurements.

Implementation Method 1

capturing airborne particles in the flow of air entering the particle collection chamber through the ends of the inlets by impaction of airborne particles on the first surface of the second layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpaction: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

the particle collection chamber comprises at least one side wall extending from the first layer to the second layer for defining flow of the reagent through the particle collection chamber when filling the particle collection chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow control:

Data Source

PatentUS12618752B2Collecting device and a method for collection of airborne particles exhaled by a human being

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICRO ELECTRONICS CENT (IMEC VZW)

AI summary

A collecting device (200) for collecting airborne particles comprises: a first (202) and second layer (220) spaced apart for forming a particle collection chamber (240; 340) therebetween: wherein inlets (210; 310) and outlets (230; 330) are configured for transporting a flow of air (104) into and out of the particle collection chamber (240; 340) and configured for allowing capturing airborne particles by impaction. The collecting device (200) further comprises at least one liquid access port (260; 260a, 260b; 360a-360h) for filling the particle collection chamber (240; 340) with a reagent; and wherein the particle collection chamber (240; 340) comprises at least one side wall (246; 346) for defining flow of the reagent, such that a first portion (248a; 348a) and a second portion (248b; 348b) of the particle collection chamber (240; 340) are arranged on opposite sides of the at least one side wall (246; 346).