Filter Tube Assembly for Crude Sample Prep in Molecular Assays

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing molecular assays face challenges in efficiently preparing crude biological samples for nucleic acid amplification due to the presence of inhibitors and the need for complex, instrument-dependent processing steps, which can lead to reduced sensitivity and increased test failure rates.

Innovation Solution

A filter tube assembly is introduced, comprising a dispense cap with a filter and a tube body, designed to propel sample-containing fluid through a filter in continuous streams with minimal user interaction, effectively removing assay inhibitors and preparing the sample for molecular assays like gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis tests, suitable for point-of-care applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex, instrument-dependent processing steps are used to prepare crude biological samples, then sample preparation thoroughness is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample preparation thoroughnessVSAvoidprocessing steps complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (filtration, sample containment, and dispensing) into a single integrated filter tube assembly. The filter is positioned within the tube body, and the dispense cap seals both the tube opening and filter surface, creating a unified device that performs sample preparation without requiring separate instruments or complex processing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible material portion of the tube body enables manual compression by the user to propel fluid through the filter. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external instrumentation or complex automated systems, allowing the device to perform its own sample preparation function through simple user action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If complex, instrument-dependent processing steps are used to prepare crude biological samples, then sample preparation thoroughness is improved, but ease of operation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample preparation thoroughnessVSAvoiduser interaction requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible material portion of the tube body enables manual compression by the user to propel fluid through the filter. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external instrumentation or complex automated systems, allowing the device to perform its own sample preparation function through simple user action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential sample preparation function from complex laboratory instruments and consolidates it into a simple, portable filter tube assembly that can be operated manually, making thorough sample preparation accessible without specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If continuous streams of filtered fluid are propelled through the aperture, then productivity is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid dispensing speedVSAvoidflow control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential sample preparation function from complex laboratory instruments and consolidates it into a simple, portable filter tube assembly that can be operated manually, making thorough sample preparation accessible without specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The compression of the flexible tube body creates periodic pressure changes that propel fluid through the filter in controlled streams. This periodic compression action achieves high-speed fluid delivery without requiring complex continuous flow control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 filter tube assembly rapidly and efficiently filters out inhibitors, enabling high-volume, high-sensitivity nucleic acid detection with minimal sample exposure to contaminants, reducing test time and failure rates, and facilitating instrument-free, point-of-care molecular assays.

Implementation Method 1

a filter positioned within the dispense cap... force one or more continuous streams of the sample-containing fluid through the filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

at least a portion of the tube body includes a flexible material configured to be compressed to force one or more continuous streams of the sample-containing fluid through the filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS20260027564A1Systems and methods to filter crude samples for nucleic acid amplification

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

AI summary

A filter tube assembly is provided. In one aspect, the filter tube assembly includes a filter, a dispense cap, and a tube body. The filter tube assembly can be used to filter buffer fluid containing a sample in preparation for use in a molecular assay. The filter tube assembly can dispense a fluid volume for a molecular assay in no more than two compressions of the tube body of the filter tube assembly.