Flocked Sampling Device for Quantitative Analyte Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transferring and analyzing analytes, such as micro-organisms and biological substances, face challenges in precision, contamination risk, and complexity, particularly in preparing and quantifying small quantities, leading to increased time and economic burdens in diagnostic and analytical processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a flocked sampling device that allows for the quantitative transfer of analytes by creating a homogeneous mixture, extracting a predetermined quantity, and using dehydration or freeze-drying to create a pre-dosed sampling device, which can be easily rehydrated for analysis, reducing contamination risks and simplifying the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional liquid or freeze-dried control samples are used, then quantitative release is limited and excess control sample must be used, but this increases the complexity of preparation procedures and reduces working life
Solution Approach 1:
The analyte is pre-loaded onto the sampling device in a controlled manner during manufacturing, eliminating the need for complex preparation procedures at the time of use. The device arrives ready-to-use with the precise quantity of analyte already in place, resolving the contradiction between quantitative release and preparation complexity.
2Measurement precision
If serial dilutions are prepared manually to obtain precise small quantities of analyte, then measurement precision is improved, but this increases loss of time and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The precise quantity of analyte is pre-measured and loaded onto the sampling device during manufacturing, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual serial dilutions at the time of use. This maintains measurement precision while significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of serial dilution is replaced by a pre-loaded sampling device that delivers the precise quantity directly, substituting a complex mechanical procedure with a simple insertion action.
3Ease of operation
If analytes are kept in liquid form for ease of use, then ease of operation is improved, but this reduces stability and increases loss of time for conservation
Solution Approach 1:
The analyte is transformed from liquid to freeze-dried state, changing its physical parameters to achieve long-term stability. The freeze-dried analyte can be easily rehydrated at the time of use, maintaining ease of operation while dramatically improving stability and reducing conservation time requirements.
4Reliability
If excess control sample is used to exceed quantitative threshold, then reliability of positive test response is improved, but this increases loss of substance and reduces manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The precise quantity of analyte is predetermined and loaded during manufacturing, ensuring that the exact amount needed for a positive test response is delivered without waste. This eliminates the need to use excess sample and maintains high manufacturing precision.
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
This method enables precise, efficient, and cost-effective transfer of analytes, reducing the complexity and time required for diagnostic analyses, while ensuring high reproducibility and stability of the analytes, making them ready for use in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a flocked sampling device that allows for the quantitative transfer of analytes
Implementation Method 2
using dehydration or freeze-drying to create a pre-dosed sampling device
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transferring a quantity of analytes comprising at least stages of: predisposing a substantially homogeneous mixture of a predetermined initial quantity of at least an analyte and a liquid, obtaining a known concentration value or known amount of the analyte in the mixture; introducing into the mixture at least a collecting portion (3) of a sampling device (1) having a support body (2), the collecting portion (3) comprising a plurality of fibers (6) attached to and arranged on a first portion (2a) of the support body (2) by means of flocking, in order to define a flocked collecting portion (3) or a flocked tampon, such as to collect a part of the mixture on the collecting portion (3); and extracting the collecting portion (3) of the sampling device (1) of the mixture, retaining on the sampling portion (3) a predetermined known quantity of the mixture to be transferred.