Flared Specimen Collection Tube With Adhesive Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing specimen collection apparatuses are prone to contamination and are often complex, costly, and difficult to seal effectively.
Innovation Solution
A specimen collection apparatus with an elongated tubular body and a flared member that can be folded over the opening to seal specimens, using adhesives for secure closure, and optionally an adhesive label for additional sealing, made from materials like HDPE or metallic film to ensure fluid impermeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex seals and custom molded plastic housings are used, then specimen containment reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex seals and custom molded plastic housings from the specimen collection apparatus, retaining only the essential tubular body and cap structure. This extraction of unnecessary components reduces device complexity while maintaining specimen containment through the simple yet effective combination of the tubular body, cap with opening, and adhesive sealing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable paper or plastic-lined paper tubular body that is inexpensive to manufacture and discard. This disposable approach eliminates the need for complex, reusable seals and housing structures, reducing both device complexity and manufacturing cost while ensuring specimen containment through the inherent properties of the lined paper or plastic material.
2Reliability
If complex seals and custom molded plastic housings are used, then specimen containment reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates complex seals and custom molded plastic housings, keeping only the essential tubular body and cap. This extraction of unnecessary components significantly reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining specimen containment through the simple adhesive sealing mechanism and the inherent properties of the lined paper or plastic material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive disposable paper or plastic-lined paper tubular bodies that are cheap to manufacture. This approach replaces expensive, complex seals and custom molded housings with low-cost materials that provide adequate specimen containment when combined with the simple cap and adhesive sealing system.
3Ease of manufacture
If wax/plastic lined paper is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but fluid impermeability and specimen protection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials for the tubular body, specifically paper or plastic-lined paper that combines the benefits of low cost with improved fluid resistance. The lining layer provides enhanced fluid impermeability while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of paper-based materials, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing cost and protection against fluid permeation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film linings (wax or plastic) on the interior surface of the tubular body to provide fluid impermeability. These thin films create a barrier against fluid permeation while adding minimal cost to the overall structure, maintaining the economic advantage of paper-based construction while protecting against the harmful effect of fluid leakage.
4Device complexity
If simple sealing mechanisms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but sealing effectiveness against fluid permeation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses wax or plastic linings on the interior surface of the tubular body to provide fluid impermeability. These thin film barriers prevent fluid permeation through the paper structure while maintaining the simplicity of the overall device design, as the lining is applied during manufacturing and requires no additional sealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive serves as an intermediary sealing element between the cap and the tubular body. This simple adhesive layer provides effective sealing against fluid permeation at the junction point without adding mechanical complexity, bridging the gap between the cap opening and the tubular body in a straightforward manner.
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 apparatus provides easy handling, cost-effectiveness, and effective sealing against fluid permeation, maintaining specimen integrity and facilitating tracking through integrated identifiers.
Implementation Method 1
The flared member further comprises an adhesive configured to adhere the flared member to the tubular body and at least partially seal the specimen collection opening securing the specimen inside
Implementation Method 2
The specimen collection apparatus further comprises an adhesive label configured to adhere the flared member to the tubular body and seal the specimen collection opening, securing the specimen inside
Data Source
AI summary
A specimen collection apparatus having an elongated tubular body, a first sealed end, a second open end and a flared member extending from the open end. The flared member acting to guide a specimen into the second open end and configured to fold over and adhere to the elongated tubular body thereby securing the specimen therein. The flared member additionally configured as a scoop or shovel to extract a specimen from an environment and place the specimen into the tubular body.