Fluid Diverter Mechanism for Clean Bodily-Fluid Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bodily-fluid sampling methods suffer from contamination by dermally-residing microbes during procurement, leading to inaccurate microbial test results and unnecessary treatments.
Innovation Solution
A bodily-fluid transfer device with a pre-sample reservoir, actuator mechanism, and diverter that selectively controls fluid flow, isolating a predetermined volume of bodily-fluid from potential microbial contamination using a flow control mechanism to divert it into a separate reservoir.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a needle is inserted directly into a patient to obtain bodily-fluid samples, then the sample can be obtained quickly, but the sample becomes contaminated by dermally-residing microbes during procurement
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid flow path is segmented into multiple sections: a first section that receives contaminated fluid from the needle, a diverter with first and second outlets, a first reservoir for contaminated fluid, and a second reservoir for clean sample. This segmentation allows the system to separate contaminated and clean samples during the same procurement process, maintaining speed while eliminating contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The diverter mechanism extracts and removes the contaminated portion of the sample by directing it to the first reservoir through the first outlet, while simultaneously directing the clean sample portion to the second reservoir through the second outlet. This extraction principle allows the clean sample to be obtained without exposure to dermally-residing microbes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a diverter mechanism with multiple flow paths is added to reduce contamination, then sample purity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diverter mechanism combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides both a first outlet path to the first reservoir and a second outlet path to the second reservoir, and it can selectively direct fluid flow between these paths. This merging reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each flow path, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining sample purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The diverter acts as an intermediary component between the needle and the reservoirs, mediating the fluid flow by selectively directing contaminated fluid to the first reservoir and clean sample to the second reservoir. This intermediary function simplifies the overall system architecture compared to having separate sampling systems for contaminated and clean samples.
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
Reduces microbial contamination by ensuring a clean sample is collected for diagnostic testing, preventing false positive results and unnecessary treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator mechanism is operably coupled to the pre-sample reservoir such that, when actuated, a negative pressure is formed in the pre-sample reservoir that urges the bodily-fluid to flow into the pre-sample reservoir.
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a pre-sample reservoir, an actuator mechanism, and a diverter. The pre-sample reservoir can be fluidically coupled to a delivery member to receive and isolate a predetermined volume of bodily-fluid withdrawn from a patient. The actuator mechanism is operably coupled to the pre-sample reservoir such that, when actuated, a negative pressure is formed in the pre-sample reservoir that urges the bodily-fluid to flow into the pre-sample reservoir. The diverter can selectively control fluid flow between the delivery member and the pre-sample reservoir. The diverter includes a flow control mechanism that defines a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. The diverter is movable between a first configuration in which the bodily-fluid flows through the first fluid flow path to the pre-sample reservoir, and a second configuration in which the bodily-fluid flows through the second fluid flow path to a sample reservoir coupled to the diverter.