Bodily Fluid Capture System with Preservative Plunger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for storing spermatozoa require travel to a medical facility for specimen collection, which is inconvenient and lacks effective temperature control during transport, leading to potential sample degradation due to environmental variations and human error.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a collection jar with a preservative release mechanism and a transportation packaging kit using vacuum-insulated panels and phase change material bottles to maintain a temperature range of 2-8 degrees Celsius, ensuring precise temperature control and ease of use for at-home specimen collection and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If at-home collection is implemented without proper temperature control, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of sample preservation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of useVSAvoidsample preservation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The preservative is pre-loaded into the plunger mechanism within the collection device. When the user collects the specimen at home, they simply activate the plunger to release the preservative into the sample container. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for users to separately handle or add preservatives, ensuring proper sample preservation while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The plunger acts as an intermediary mechanism between the preservative storage and the specimen collection chamber. It controls the precise delivery of the preservative to the sample, ensuring proper mixing and preservation without requiring user knowledge of chemical handling or complex procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple components are included in the collection kit, then reliability of temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collection device merges multiple functions into a single integrated unit: the specimen collection chamber, preservative storage reservoir, and mixing mechanism are combined into one handheld device. This integration maintains reliable temperature control through the insulated container while reducing the number of separate components the user must handle and assemble.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The collection device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it collects the specimen, stores the preservative, mixes the two substances, and maintains temperature control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate containers and accessories, reducing device complexity while maintaining preservation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If preservative is pre-loaded in the collection device, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of useVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The collection device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a preservative reservoir, a plunger mechanism, and a specimen collection chamber. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard processes, then assembled through straightforward assembly operations. The preservative can be loaded into the reservoir using conventional filling equipment, and the plunger mechanism can be assembled using standard mechanical assembly techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables convenient at-home sperm collection with precise temperature control, reducing human error and sample degradation, while maintaining the specimen in a viable state for medical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

at least one phase change material bottle cradled in the vacuum-insulated panel component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

vacuum-insulated panel component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

the preservative components going into the collection jar and becoming entrained with the sample as a consequence of gravity flow of the preservative

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11478228B2System and method for bodily fluid capture and preservation

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 DADI LLC

AI summary

System and associated method for capturing, preserving, and transporting a bodily fluid, including a collection jar having a base body, a lid body, and a plunger, the plunger housing a preservative when in a first plunger position and permitting a release of the preservative into an internal cavity of the collection jar when in a second plunger position, where the plunger moves from the first plunger position to the second plunger position by pushing the plunger into the internal cavity, and a transportation packaging having an outer container, at least one vacuum insulated panel, at least one phase change material bottle, and at least one collection jar holding tray, where the phase change material bottle has an indented portion corresponding to an indented portion of the collection jar holding tray, where the collection jar is configured for placement in the at least one collection jar holding tray during transportation.