Disposable Biologic Fluid Chamber with Flexible Separators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biologic fluid analysis chambers, such as hemocytometers, are expensive, prone to inaccuracies due to non-uniform bead diameters and particulate debris, and difficult to package for automated systems, limiting their cost-effectiveness and precision.
Innovation Solution
A chamber formed by flexible planar members and separators, where at least one member or separator is flexible, allowing the chamber height to approximate the mean size of the separators, reducing the impact of debris and enabling uniform volume determination, and facilitating inexpensive mass production and disposable use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigid glass slides and coverslips with rigid glass beads are used to form a counting chamber, then the chamber structure is stable and precise, but the system becomes sensitive to particulate debris and difficult to package for automated systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the separators from rigid to flexible, allowing them to deform and conform to the surfaces of trapped debris particles. This parameter change enables the flexible separators to bridge over debris without creating large volume variations, thereby reducing sensitivity to particulate contamination while maintaining chamber height precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining flexible separator material with rigid planar members. The flexible separators (made of elastomeric or viscoelastic material) are embedded between rigid planar surfaces, creating a composite system that leverages the dimensional stability of rigid materials while incorporating the debris-tolerant properties of flexible materials.
2Measurement precision
If precisely manufactured hemocytometer chambers are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the cost increases and they are not suitable for disposable use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a counting chamber system that can be manufactured at low cost using injection molding techniques, enabling disposable use. The chamber consists of a molded base with embedded flexible separators and a removable coverslip, allowing the main body to be discarded after a single use while maintaining measurement precision through the flexible separator mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from rigid separators requiring high-precision manufacturing to flexible separators that can be manufactured with standard tolerances. The flexibility of the separator material compensates for manufacturing variations, allowing less precise manufacturing processes to achieve the same functional accuracy, thereby reducing production costs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid separators with uniform diameter are used, then chamber height is consistent, but any debris can prop up the coverslip and create large volume variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical properties of the separators from rigid to flexible, enabling them to deform under the influence of trapped debris particles. This flexibility allows the separators to conform to the debris surfaces and maintain a relatively uniform chamber height, preventing the large volume variations that occur with rigid separators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of debris particles into a beneficial outcome by using flexible separators that can deform to accommodate the debris. Instead of rigid separators being pushed away by debris (creating volume errors), the flexible separators conform to the debris shapes, effectively filtering out the harmful impact of particulate contamination.
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 flexible chamber design provides accurate and uniform volume determination, is less sensitive to debris, and can be manufactured inexpensively, making it suitable for automated systems and disposable applications.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the members or separators is sufficiently flexible to permit the chamber height to approximate the mean size of the separators
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for analyzing biologic fluid is provided that includes a first planar member, a second planar member, and at least three separators. At least one of planar members is transparent. The separators are disposed between the members, and separate the members to form a chamber having a height. At least one of the members or separators is sufficiently flexible to permit the chamber height to approximate the mean size of the separators. During use, the biologic fluid to be analyzed is disposed within the chamber.