Electrostatic Flocking Sample Collector for Biological Liquid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cotton swab methods for collecting and transporting biological liquid samples are inefficient due to liquid absorption, leading to sample loss and limited sample quantity, which hampers accurate infection diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A sample collector featuring two or more fiber yarns of varying lengths and widths, attached to a collecting part using a flocking method, allowing for efficient liquid sample collection without absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cotton swabs are used to collect biological liquid samples, then the collection process is simple and low cost, but the liquid samples are absorbed into the cotton swabs causing sample loss and limited sample quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The collecting part is divided into multiple fiber yarns with different lengths and widths, creating segmented collection zones that prevent uniform absorption and enable better sample retention and transport
Solution Approach 2:
Different fiber yarns are assigned different local properties (length, width, material composition) to optimize specific functions: longer yarns for sample collection, shorter yarns for transport stability, preventing the uniform absorption problem of traditional cotton swabs
2Quantity of substance
If fiber yarns are used to collect liquid samples without absorption, then sample quantity is improved, but the attachment process becomes complex requiring multiple steps such as pressing, fusing, and cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanical attachment process (pressing, fusing, cutting) is replaced with an electrostatic flocking method where charged fiber yarns are automatically attracted and fixed to the collecting part, eliminating the need for high-frequency fusion machines and multiple manual steps
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber yarns attach themselves to the collecting part through electrostatic attraction during the flocking process, making the attachment process self-completing without requiring additional pressing or fusing operations
3Productivity
If fiber yarns are attached to the sample collector, then sample collection efficiency is improved, but it is difficult to attach fiber to the sample collector and collect liquid samples
Solution Approach 1:
Manual or mechanical fiber attachment is replaced with electrostatic flocking, where electrically charged fiber yarns are automatically attracted to the collecting part surface, making the attachment process both easy and efficient
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 sample collector effectively collects and transports biological liquid samples with minimal sample loss, facilitating accurate diagnosis by providing sufficient sample quantity.
Implementation Method 1
planting the fiber yarns to the collecting part by electrostatic charge of each of the fiber yarns
Data Source
AI summary
A manufacturing method of a sample collector for collection and transport of biological liquid samples, which includes a supporter, and a collecting part which is formed at an end portion of the supporter and to which fiber yarns are planted, includes the steps of: A) preparing two or more fiber yarns which are different from each other in at least one of length and width; and B) planting each of the fiber yarns to the collecting part based on a flocking method, wherein the step B) comprises the steps of: B1) mixing and putting the fiber yarns into a planting container so that the fiber yarns are distributed evenly; B2) inserting the collecting part into the planting container and applying adhesive onto the surface of the collecting part; and B3) planting the fiber yarns to the collecting part by electrostatic charge of each of the fiber yarns.